How to Make Easy Christmas Cookies

Everybody likes the idea of baking Christmas cookies with the kids.

But unfortunately, some of the classic Christmas cookies - sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies - are not so easy to make. You have to know how to roll, cut and decorate cookies, and that's not a job for beginners.

These Christmas cookie recipes are much easier to make - no previous experience or special baking abilities required. In fact, many of these Christmas cookies have just three or four ingredients. Can it get any easier than that? Check 'em out:

Pretzel Kisses - This three-ingredient recipe has no mixing, rolling or fancy decorating. Yet everybody loves the sweet-salty flavor of these easy Christmas cookies.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies - Mini peanut butter cups are pressed into peanut butter cookie dough in this easy Christmas cookie recipe that has big "wow" factor.

Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe - Most sugar cookies are rolled cookies. But with these easy sugar cookies, just form the dough into balls and dip in sugar before baking. What could be simpler?

Haystacks - This simple, no-bake cookie recipe has just three ingredients. This is the perfect last-minute Christmas cookie to make.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
red and green colored sugars for rolling
sprinkles or colored sugar for decorating

1. With an electric mixer, beat sugar and shortening together. Add the egg and vanilla, and beat well.

2. In a small bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder together. Add to the wet ingredients, and using an electric mixer, beat until the mixture becomes a soft dough.

3. Shape the sugar cookie dough into two logs. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour (or as long as three days). Alternatively, freeze the dough, tightly wrapped, for up to three months.

4. When ready to bake (thaw overnight in the refrigerator if you're using dough that was frozen), preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

5. Spread green colored sugar on one plate. Spread red colored sugar on another plate. Unwrap the dough and roll half in each colored sugar.

6. Slice the sugar cookies into rounds, one-quarter inch thick. Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly golden brown around the edges.

Rose's Christmas Cookies

Master food writer Rose Levy Beranbaum tackles Christmas cookies in this wonderful book of fool-proof recipes that will appeal to both beginning bakers and pros alike.

You'll find a good assortment of recipes, from simple recipes to make with kids to elegant treats worthy of a pastry chef.