On the Twelfth Day of Christmas Cookies

OMG!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Y'all!!

I has been a fun-filled, whirlwind holiday for us and I am SOOOO sad to see it go - but I will fill you in on all the fun we had at home and at DISNEYWORLD soon - very soon!!

For now, I am going to complete my 12 Days of Christmas Cookies in an effort to keep my one and only New Year's Resolution, which is to finish what I start!  I am already envisioning the spectacular projects adorning my house and my children and myself (oh my!) with this new resolve!  Not to mention how adoringly THIN I will have become once I finish losing all that 'baby weight' this year!!  This resolution promises to be truly transformative   . . .  but I digress (and that is the problem)!

Anyhoo . . . since I promised 12 days of cookies - here's what I wanted to post for you on Christmas Eve.  Enjoy!

Amy's Sugar Cookies - Take 3!

After the Girl Scout Christmas party, where we decorated with buttercream frosting, and the Playgroup  Cookie Party, where we painted them before baking, I still had a pan or two's worth of cookie dough left to bake. (Did I mention this dough freezes beautifully?!)

Perfect! 

Because my brother, SIL and the kids were coming over, straight off the plane from the slopes, and Superman said he needed cookies for Santa!  Oh dear!!

Once the big kids saw each other though, they were too busy to bake, so the bitties and the mommies took a short cut and simply formed the dough into a log and sliced them!!  A quick glaze and some sprinkles, and all systems were go for SANTA!!

So simple! 

So quick! 

And every bit as tasty if I do say so myself!

I hope your holidays were just as merry as ours!  And I hope you'll stay tuned for more sass in 2012!

Better late than never, right? (Work with me here people!)

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas Cookies

THIS is where the mess magic happens!

Yesterday Sheep (and Snacks!) and I hosted the 6th Annual Playgroup Cookie Party (OMG!!) with our friends from playgroup!  Such a great time with some truly great friends - how blessed I have been by them through the years!  The 'original' group came together during birth classes at our local hospital and I was lucky enough to be asked to join by one of it's members when Sheep arrived about 9 months later.  Being a first time mom AND having a younger child means I have been the beneficiary of all their mommy successes - and failures!   What a gift!

While the 'origianl gang' has all grown up, and some have (sadly) moved away, we've still managed to stay connected and I am blessed to call this fine group of women my friends!  And although we've morphed into mostly a girls' night out group now (Nothin' wrong with that!!), we have managed to get together at the holidays for our cookie party!

Christmas 2006

Look at those tiny little creatures!

Christmas 2011

Since Sheep and I have already decorated sugar cookies with icing TWICE this season, I decided to change it up a bit, and 'paint' our sugar cookies this year using egg yolk paint.  It's fun, fast and a twist to our traditional cookies and icing free-for-all!  I wish I could tell you it was neater than icing but either way, messy seems to be our MO at the cookie party!  Hey, it's only once a year and  . . .

WE LOVE IT!!

We always use the same sugar cookie recipe, which you can find here, so here is how you prepare your 'paint' - enjoy!

Egg Yolk Paint

Egg yolks (you can make approximately 2 colors per egg yolk)
1 tablespoon water per yolk
3-5 drops liquid food coloring

Beat yolks and water together. 

Separate into small containers and add food coloring as desired. 

Use small paint brushes to apply paint to UNBAKED, cutout cookies. 

Sprinkle with sugar before baking in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. 

Place on cookie racks to cool and try to fight the kids off - ha! 

Actually, we skip that step and just let them gorge themselves on cookies all afternoon!!  After all, we're indulging on mommy drinks and cookies ourselves - yippee!

I hope everyone has as wonderful a Christmas as we do each year - celebrating with our family - and our playgroup family as well.

Merry Christmas y'all!

On the Tenth Day of Christmas Cookies

I always assumed that making candied nuts was complicated.  Not so!!  These are just about the easiest treats to make!!  They make great gifts (if you can keep your hands off them!) and are great to have on hand during the holidays for guests!  They are also a delicious way to use up your egg whites from recipes that require only yolks (like painted sugar cookies)!

Julie's Candied Pecans

1 egg white
1 T water
1 pound pecan halves
1 C sugar (can use white or brown depending on wht you like)
cinnamon (also optional - so up to you!)

Separate your egg and add water to the white.  Mix with a fork until very frothy!  Pour in pecans and coat thoroughly with egg white.  Toss wet pecans in cinnamon sugar mixture.  Spread into single layer on greased cookie pan and bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring occassionally.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas Cookies

Our neighborhood progressive dinner party is TONIGHT!!  I am so excited and can't wait to share all the fun with you tomorrow!  Ironically,  I was assigned to do appetizers rather than dessert - ha!  I have decided to make a homemade cheese ball with strawberry preserves, bleu cheese meatballs in red wine cream sauce and prosciutto and pesto pinwheels - all super simple and super fabulous!!  And I will share all of these recipes with you tomorrow as well - stay tuned!!

But - we're supposed to be talking cookies here!

While frantically searching looking for my sister-in-law's bleu cheese meatballs recipe upstairs in my crap craft room, I came across a box of recipes from my aunt's house and found these:

Orange Christmas Balls

1 package Nilla wafers, crushed
1/2 stick of butter , melted
1 C chopped pecans
1 box powdered sugar
6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate, undiluted

Mix all ingredients together and form into balls.  Roll in additional chopped pecans or coconut flakes.  Refrigerate until serving.

These reminded me so much of the rum ball recipe, I knew I had to try them!  I made them according to the recipe this time, but am already thinking I might try with Cointreau or other orange liqueur next time for a grown-up version of this delicious treat.  The adult version will need a grown-up name as well, so I'm thinking Santa's Balls - HA!!

Don't forget to share your own Christmas favorites at my Christmas Cookie Exchange!

On the Seventh Day of Christmas Cookies

OMG!!

Christmas is a mere 6 days away - actually FIVE at this hour - and I still have LOTS to do!  Three stockings left to finish, a pair of Christmas pants for Sheep and appetizers for a progressive dinner to prepare by tomorrow night!  Can't wait to tell you all about it (It's going to be so much fun!!), but no time to talk tonight!  In the mean time, here's a great Christmas cookie for you to try.  My dough is chillin' right now and I am desperately wishing that I could do the same!  So, I will update you with a couple of pics tomorrow AND hopefully a stocking tutorial as well -  they are soooo stinkin' cute!!

 Holiday Thumbprint Cookies

3 sticks of butter
1 C sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 C flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg beaten with 1 T water
7 ounces sweetened coconut flakes
Raspberry or strawberry jam

Cream butter and sugar in mixer until smooth.  Add vanilla.  Sift together dry ingredients.  Add flour mixture and blend until dough starts to come together.  Turn out onto floured board and roll together into a flat disc.  Wrap in plastic and chill for 1 hour.  Roll dough into 1 inch balls.  Dip each ball in egg wash and roll in coconut.  Place on cookie sheet and press indention into cookie with your finger.  Drop 1/4 tsp. jam into the center of each cookie.  Bake 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees or until coconut is golden brown.  Makes 3 dozen cookies.

P.S.  It is apparently important to cook these while still very cold.  After getting them ready, I had to go take care of a minor kid crisis (SO unusual around here - ha!) and forgot about them for an hour a wee bit - and when they went into the oven at room temperature - well, see for yourself!!

They still tasted FABULOUS - and we ate every last one of 'em too - but certainly not the pretty presentation I usually get from these cookies.  Note to self - next time save the cookies, not the kids :o)

Don't forget to share your own Christmas favorites at my Christmas Cookie Exchange!

On the Sixth Day of Christmas Cookies

Helen's Forgotten Cookies

I know it's a tradition in our family to call cookies by the person's name that gave the recipe to us, but in this case it just doesn't make sense.  Because it's hard to imagine ANYONE ever forgetting about Helen.  I know I sure won't!  She was a BIG lady (or at least she seemed that way when I was small) with a BIG personality and an even BIGGER heart  - and she was one of my mom's dearest friends.  She also had a daughter my age more or less, so our families spent a fair amount of time together when I was growing up and we all just loved her!  Plus, she was from Canada, which made her very exotic in my mind back then!

Without a doubt, Helen was one of the luckiest people I have ever known.  And I'm talkin' winning cars, money, gadgets and boo-coos of movie tickets kind of lucky, most of which she gave away to her friends and family.  And for a single mom raising three kids, even something as small as free movie tickets meant A LOT - to all of us!  She was SO lucky that sometimes I attempt to channel her while entering contests by writing her name in very small print somewhere on the entry form.  It hasn't worked yet, but I'm telling you it will!  That's also why I'm NOT gonna tell you her last name!

Baking these cookies always puts a smile on my face because they remind me of a wonderful lady whose smile and laughter are sorely missed!  It's one of the things I love about collecting recipes - they're a great way to recall fond memories and keep our loved ones in our hearts through the years.  And isn't that what the Christmas season is all about?

So I guess that makes me (and now you) lucky too!

Helen's (Gone But Not) Forgotten Cookies

There.  That's more like it!

2/3 C sugar
2 egg whites
1 C chopped pecans
1 C chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt

They will no longer be shiny and may have slight cracks in the surface when ready.

Preheat oven to 305 degrees while preparing cookies.  Beat sugar and egg whites until stiff peaks form.  Fold in remaining ingredients.  Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or foil.  Drop by spoonfuls onto trays.  Turn oven OFF!  Place cookies in oven and leave overnight.  When completely cooled, remove from tin foil and store in an airtight container.  Makes 2-3 dozen.

They should peel off easily (as you can see here) when ready!

Baking tip:  These are basically a meringue cookie, so be sure to make these on a dry, sunny day so they will set up properly!

On the Fifth Day of Christmas Cookies

I don't know who i ma going to kill first!!

It happened again!!

An ENTIRE batch of cookies eaten by THAT DAWG!!

I left them cooling on the plate to run Sheep up to a birthday party.  Snacks was home with MIL at the time and Speed was due home any minute.  Friday nights are usually pizza night around here, so I knew we'd be going out - yay!!  Dinner solved!  What I didn't know was that 'the perfect storm' was brewing - Speed has spoken to Sissy earlier and invited her to join us for dinner (She's 23, a college graduate AND unfortunately between jobs . . . but that's a story for another day).  My MIL had coupon for our favorite pizza place that was only good at the location near our house, NOT Sissy's.  In addition to being between jobs, Sissy also happened to be without wheels right now, so Speed decided to go pick her up (unbeknowst to me).  Now Sheep and I were about to be on our way back from the birthday party but in the post-yogurt and birthday cake frenzy, I did not hear that text.  Nor did I know that he would be taking MIL and Snacks with him to pick up Sissy.  All this to say that the cookies were left UNATTENDED.  AGAIN!

Sheep and I arrived home to a dark house (Were we supposed to meet them there?) . . . and an empty plate of Tea Time Tassies!  Even better, the coupon that prompted the exodus was only good M-Th!!

Nothin' but crumbs :o(

AAAAAArrrgh!

Maybe I will start with myself . . . .

Tea Time Tassies

Crust:
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 C butter, softened
1 C flour
Combine Ingredients and chill for 1 hour (I never have time for this and it works fine BTW).  Roll into long rope and divide into 24 sections.  Flatten into circles and place in min-muffin cups.  Pres into bottom and sides of cups, being careful NOT to push any holes in the crust.  No need to grease tins!

Filling:
1 egg, beaten
2/3 C chopped pecans
3/4 C brown sugar
1 Tablespoon butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
dash of salt

Combine all ingredients.  Spoon filling into unbaked crusts.  Bake in 325 degree oven for 25 minutes or until filling sets and crust is a delicate brown.  Leave out for your dog.  Enjoy!

Don't forget to link up your own family's Christmas favorites at The Cookie Exchange!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas Cookies

Some family traditions are really silly.  For example, I don't know why we only make these chocolaty, sugary bites of Heaven at Christmastime in our family, but for some reason it's the only time we do.  Especially since literally EVERYONE loves these cookies!!  And with a household that swells from 4 to 8 at Christmas, that's really sayin' something!! 

But I have a confession to make - this is not the recipe my mom uses (gasp!) 

Sorry mom! 

Our "family's" recipe always seems to get crumbly or stale or whatever you want to call it quite quickly, even though they don't stick around very long.  Frustrating!!  Then I tasted this version at a baby shower many moons ago and had to admit - they were definitely better - so I switched!!  Either way, Chocolate Crinkles remain one of my all-time favorite holiday treats.  But don't take my word for it.  See for yourself!

Chocolate Crinkles

1 ½ sticks butter, melted

½ C cocoa powder

1 C sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

2 C flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1 6 oz. Bag chocolate chips

¾ C powdered sugar

In a large bowl, mix melted butter, cocoa and sugar.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients, except chocolate chips and powdered sugar.  Slowly add wet mixture to dry ingredients, then stir in chocolate chips.  Refrigerate 2 hours or overnight (best overnight).  Form dough into 1 inch balls and roll in powdered sugar.  (I like to roll them twice so there's plenty of powdered sugar on the cookies when baked.)  Bake 12 minutes at 350°.  Makes 2-3 dozen cookies.

Mine are in the fridge right now - so I will update ya with a couple of pics tomorrow!

Not the best pic - so much for artistic food photography!

Don't forget to link up your own holiday favorites at the Christmas Cookie Exchange!

On the Third Day of Christmas Cookies

My Gingerbread Girl SCOUT - hee hee!

I've been up to my eyeballs in Christmas Cookie Decorating for the past two days.  It has been fun but EXHAUSTING to say the least.  Especially when you have to make them twice!!  If they weren't so maddeningly delicious, I would wonder why I bother - but I'm telling you, these are THE BEST cut out sugar cookies you will ever taste!!  EVER!!

And a shout out to my BFF for the recipe - and the great tradition it has become at our house!!  I promise, these cookies will make you a STAR!

Amy's Sugar Cookies

1 C butter
1 1/2 C sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 3/4 C flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt (must have salt)

Cream butter and sugar in mixer.  Add eggs.  Sift dry ingredients together and add to mixture.  Add vanilla and mix until smooth.  This dough will be very sticky!  Refrigerate overnight.  Roll out onto well floured surface and cut into shapes.  Do not overwork dough - it becomes very elastic!!  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.  Cool completely and decorate with Buttercream Frosting.

Cut out Cookies may seem like A LOT of work but these are definitely worth the effort!!

Buttercream Frosting

1 stick of butter
1 bag or 2 boxes of powdered sugar
1 tap. vanilla
milk or water to desired thickness

Combine all ingredients.  Separate and add food colors.  Place in pastry bags or Ziplock freezer bags to decorate.  If it gets too runny with handling, simply put back in the fridge to cool for a few minutes.  Will make 5-6 bags of different colors.  When using on sugar cookies, let iced cookies sit out overnight (if you don't eat them all first!!) to allow icing to harden.

Don't forget to add your own Christmas favorites to my Christmas Cookie Exchange!

On the Second Day of Christmas Cookies . . .

Last night Sheep performed in her FIRST EVER play - The Christmas Story - as part of her CCE class this year! She was fab-u-lous BTW, but we're here to talk about cookies!!  Anyway, it just so happens that I needed to bring cookies for the reception and Christmas party following the play.   So, in keeping with the theme of The Christmas Story, I decided to pull out my cookie press and whip up some Christmas Trees and Stars of Bethlehem for the event!!

Aren't they CUTE?!?!?

Let me just say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE spritz cookies! They were one of my favorite cookies to make growing up - especially once I was old enough to use the spritzer! I have owned more than a couple of cookie presses over the years, but never has there been a cookie press worth a HOOT in my opinion - except for mom's :o(

That was until last Christmas anyway, when I decided that I was tired of borrowing hers (why she wouldn't just give it up already is a story for another day . . .) and found my very own on EBay!!

Can you hear it??

Yes, those are angels singing, "Rejoice!!  Rejoice!!"

If you can find one of THESE . . .

Get it while the gettin's good!  It is simply THE BEST cookie press EVER!!!!!

Anyhoo . . . .

In our family, we've always referred to recipes "so-and-so's" , so I still call these

Johnnie Mae's Cookie Press Cookies

3 C flour
1 C shortening
1 C sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. flavoring (I always use almond for these)
1/4 tsp. salt (must add salt)
6-8 drops of food coloring

Cream sugar and shortening.  Add remaining ingredients.  Press through cookie press into desired shapes (Christmas trees are the tradition around here) onto ungreased baking sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Feeds a 'little town' Makes 7-8 dozen!

With mom's MY magic cookie press, these cookies are EASY, FUN and DELICIOUS!!

Don't forget to add your own Christmas favorites to the Cookie Exchange!

See you tomorrow!

On the First Day of Christmas Cookies . . .

These are one of my all-time favorite Christmas cookies!  They are so festive and FUN to eat make!!  I hear they are great with coffee, but since I don't drink coffee . . . you'll just have to see for yourself and let me know!  They are GGGREAT in milk!

Christmas Swirls

1/2 C Crisco

1/2 C butter

1 C sugar

1 egg

3 C flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

1 T water

Sift dry ingredients together and set aside.  Cream, butter, shortening and sugar.  Add egg, vanilla and water.  Beat until fluffy. Add dry ingredients.  Divide dough into thirds.  Add 6-8 drops of red food coloring to one of the thirds and 6-8 drops of green food coloring to the other third.  Blend food color into dough (I use my hands) until color is uniform.  Roll each portion of dough out onto waxed paper.  Stack your three layers of rolled out dough on top of each other.  Roll together lengthwise in jellyroll fashion and use waxed paper to wrap and chill dough for several hours or overnight.  Cut in 1/8" slices and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Makes 3-4 dozen.

Don't forget to go and add your own Christmas favorites to the Cookie Exchange Linky Party!

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Cookies!

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies!!

We need Cookies for CCE, cookies for girl scouts AND cookies for the classroom this year as well!!  So I thought I might share some of my family's favorites with you!  But with so many cookies to bake this Christmas, I am on the lookout for some NEW recipes as well!  That's why I have decided to host an online Cookie Exchange! For the next twelve days, I will be posting a recipe of my own and I would love to see what you're baking up this season as well! It doesn't have to be a cookie - but it does need to be something sweet - yum!