Creative, Easy Holiday Cookies

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Impress Your Family with Great Cookies This Holiday!

One of the things that kids and adults all look forward to each holiday season are the delicious treats. Chocolates, cakes, pies and pastries are bought and baked, and served on charming trays for all to enjoy. Even if you're short on time, and don't have a lot of baking experience, you can still create marvelous holiday cookies that everyone will enjoy.

By adding a few easy embellishments to simple sugar cookies, you can tempt your family and friends with delicious and festive treats that they'll ask for year after year. You won't need to be a pastry chef or use expensive ingredients to please a crowd this holiday.

The following recipes will show you how to make variations of sugar cookies that you can serve at parties or give as gifts. These recipes are so easy and fun to do, they're perfect for an afternoon of baking with kids, or a last minute treat when company is coming!



Assorted Christmas Biscuits in Gift Boxes

Basic Sugar Cookie Dough 

Ingredients:

3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract



Preparation:

Salt and Pepper I
1) Combine the flour, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl.

2) In a large bowl, combine the sugar and butter, beating until smooth.



Cracked Egg in the Middle of Other Eggs
3) Add the eggs one at a time, and the vanilla. Mix until smooth.

4) Gradually blend in the dry ingredients, making four additions and mixing well.

5) Cover and refrigerate in the bowl for 2-4 hours.

Snowball Cookies 

You Will Need:

One batch of basic cookie dough (chilled)
About 2 cups of coconut flakes

Preparation

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2) Place the coconut flakes into a bowl or pie plate.

3) Break off teaspoon sized drops of dough, and roll them into balls.

4) Gently roll the cookie balls in the coconut, coating evenly.

5) Place the cookies on a non-stick baking sheet, and gently press them with the back of a glass so that the tops are flat.

6) Bake six to eight cookies at a time on the middle rack for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden.

7) Place the cookies on waxed paper or cooling racks and allow to cool before eating or storing.



Variations:

Instead of coconut, roll the cookie balls in one of these toppings:

- Granulated sugar

- Sugar crystal sprinkles

- Red or Green Jell-o powder

You can also make mixed toppings:

- Combine equal parts Jell-o powder and coconut

- Combine equal parts sugar and cinnamon with a dash of ground cloves

Try making a variety of coated cookies for a colorful treat platter.

Tasty Middles 

You Will Need:

One batch of basic cookie dough (chilled)
Any of the following toppings:

M&M Peanuts
Hershey Kisses
Butter mints
Glacee Cherries, halved
Whole pecans or almonds



Preparation:

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2) Break off teaspoon sized drops of dough and roll them into balls.

3) Place the cookie balls on a non-stick baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.

4) Press one candy or other topping into the middle of each cookie.

5) Bake the cookies on the middle rack for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden.

6) Transfer baked cookies to a cooling rack or waxed paper and allow to cool before serving.

Sweet Street




Sticky Gems 

You Will Need:

One batch of basic cookie dough (chilled)
About 3/4 cup of orange or pineapple marmalade
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3 whole cloves

Preparation:

1) Mix the marmalade, cinnamon and cloves in a container. Cover and refrigerate for one day.

2) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the cloves from the jam mixture.

3) Break off teaspoon sized pieces of dough and roll into balls.

4) Place the cookie balls about 2 inches apart on a non-stick baking sheet.

5) Using your thumb, press small indentations into the center of each cookie ball.

6) Fill the cookies with marmalade.

7) Bake on the middle rack for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden.

8) Transfer baked cookies to racks to cool.



Variations:

Instead of citrus filling, mix your favorite berry jam with 2 tablespoons of real maple syrup.

Top the cookies with shredded coconut or sugar sprinkles.


Jam-Filled Christmas Biscuits

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Cookies 

Cookies are a great solution to many baking and holiday needs. They're easy to whip up, and are always sure to please a crowd. Enhance your baking repertoire with some handy recipes guides.

Cookie Bible

Everything you ever wanted to know about cookies!

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Cookies (Companys Coming No 9) (Companys Coming No 9)

Comany's Coming books are a must have for any home cooking and baking.

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Cookie Sensations: Creative Designs for Every Occasion

You'll never be stuck for decorating ideas with this great guide!

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Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Christmas Cookies from the Whimsical Bakehouse

A delicious collection of holiday themed cookies.

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Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Rose's Christmas Cookies

Classic recipes for a variety of holiday tastes.

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Amazon Price: $21.56 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Frosted Cookies 

You Will Need:

One batch of basic cookie dough (chilled)
1 cup of softened butter
5 cups of icing sugar
1/3 cup of milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract



Preparation:

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly flour a clean counter top and rolling pin.

2) Gather the cookie dough into a ball and roll out to 1/4 inch thickness.

3) Cut out shapes using floured cookie cutters, and arrange them on a non-stick baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.

If you're using different sized cookie cutters, only bake similar sized shapes together.

4) Bake the cookies on the middle rack for 10-12 minutes.

5) Transfer baked cookies to racks to cool.

6) In a large bowl, beat the butter until it is fluffy.

7) Continue mixing, and add the icing sugar and milk, alternating between additions. Make 4 additions of sugar and 3 milk. Beat in the vanilla until well blended.

8) Spread the frosting onto the cookie tops using a spatula or the back of a butter knife.

9) Allow the frosting to set before packing up the cookies. Store them in an air-tight container with waxed paper between each layer.

Boy in Chef's Hat Baking Cookies



Variations:

Add food coloring to the frosting for colored cookies.

When the frosting is still moist, top the cookies with sprinkles or small candies.

Transfer the frosting to piping bags and draw festive shapes on the cookies. If you don't have a piping bag, simply snip one corner from a zipper lock sandwich bag. Place the frosting in the bag and seal it closed. Squeeze the bag from the top to express frosting.


Fir Tree Shaped Christmas Biscuits in a Box

Jewel Cookies 

Use your leftover ingredients to make these tangy and delicious holiday treats!

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped glacee cherries
zest of one orange



Preparation:

1) Combine the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl.

2) In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg until smooth. Beat in the vinegar and vanilla.

3) Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing well after each addition.

4) Fold in the coconut, cherries and orange zest.

5) Cover the dough and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

6) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

7) Pinch off teaspoon sized pieces of dough. Roll into balls and place about 2 inches apart on non-stick baking sheets.

8) Bake the cookies on the middle rack for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden.

9) Cool before serving or storing.


Holiday Baking

The Ultimate Cookie Topping 

Every family has a favorite way to top cookies, cupcakes and other baked treats. Which topping is part of your holiday traditions?

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Christmas Cookie Cutters 

A Pair of Tinned Sheet Metal Cookie Cutters, Pennsylvania, 19th Century



No matter what the occasion, you can set the mood and delight your friends and family with some fun shaped cookies!

RM Christmas Tree w/ Star Metal Cookie Cutter for Holiday Baking / Party Favors / Scrapbooking Stencil 4"

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Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Wilton Christmas Tree Comfort Grip Stainless Steel Cookie Cutter

Amazon Price: $3.19 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

Wilton Comfort Grip Star Cutter

Amazon Price: $2.90 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Angel Cookie Cutter

Amazon Price: $2.19 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Sculpture Cookie Shapers 

Wilton Cookie Tree Cutter Kit

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

Fox Run Ten Piece Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter Bake Set

Amazon Price: $11.49 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

Holiday Entertaining 

If you're entertaining for a crowd this holiday season, impress your guests with great treats, games, activities and more!

It's All About the Kids! 

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by Mortira

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