Christmas Cookie Recipes - Holiday Gumdrop Cookies

Christmas Cookie Recipes - Holiday Gumdrop Cookies These cookies are filled with color and sweetness.

1 1/2 cups gumdrops 3/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup golden raisins 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour, divided 1/2 cup shortening 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup buttermilk 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Take out all of the black gumdrops and store for another use. Cut the remaining gumdrops into small pieces. Place gumdrops into a bowl. Add in the walnuts, raisins and 1/4 cup flour; toss to coat. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar. Add egg; beat in buttermilk, flour; stir into creamed mixture. Add gumdrop mixture and mix well. Chill for 1 hour. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2-inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool . Makes 36 cookies. => Christmas Cookie Recipes: Frosted Cashew Cookies A tasty frosted cookie decorated with a cashew in the middle. 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 1/3 cup sour cream 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon each baking powder, baking soda, and salt 1 3/4 cup salted cashew halves Browned Butter Frosting Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Beat in the egg, sour cream and the vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture; mix thoroughly. Fold in the cashews. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool before serving. Browned Butter Frosting 1/2 cut butter 3 tablespoons half and half cream 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups confectioners' sugar Additional cashew halves, optional Directions In a saucepan, lightly brown the butter. Remove from heat. Stir in the cream and vanilla. Beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth and thick. Frost cookies. Top each cookie with a cashew half, if desired. => Christmas Cookie Recipes: Soft Mincemeat Cookies A unique holiday cookie with the distinct taste of mincemeat. 1/4 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 3/4 cup mincemeat 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional) Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add in the eggs and mincemeat; mix well. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts, if desired. Drop cookie dough by the tablespoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet, space 2-inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely. Makes 48 cookies. Christmas Cookie Recipes - Holiday Gumdrop Cookies Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Cream Cheese Dainties - A Serious Christmas Cookie

Cream Cheese Dainties - A Serious Christmas Cookie Here's a serious Christmas cookie; it's white like snow, has a little red Christmas color in it, and it's full of fat, like Santa. How could you go wrong? It's also sweet with a crispy texture, and has a hint of almond flavor. This recipe comes from my grandma. She's been making these cookies at Christmas time for as long as I can remember Christmases. The funny thing is she brings these to Christmas every year but I refused to try them til about two years ago. I think I was afraid of the cherry piece in the middle. So I'm here to tell you don't be afraid, they're good, even if you don't like cherries. Be brave this year and try that Christmas cookie that looks weird and has too many nuts stuck to it, you just might like it.

Tip: to crush cereal use a food processor or place cereal in sealed bag and crush with a rolling pin. These cookies also freeze well. 1/2 cup butter 3 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 tsp. almond extract 1 cup flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 1/2 cups crushed cereal (Rice Krispies or Cornflakes work well) maraschino cherries, stemmed and quartered Cream butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Mix in sugar and almond extract until smooth. In a separate bowl mix flour, baking powder and salt. Add flour to butter and cream cheese mixture. Stir until just combined. Chill dough 1-2 hours until firm. Roll chilled dough into 3/4 inch balls. Roll balls in crushed cereal. Slightly push cherry piece into middle of ball. Place balls on baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until slightly browned. Cream Cheese Dainties - A Serious Christmas Cookie Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Edible Christmas Gifts

Edible Christmas Gifts Edible Christmas gifts have become very popular. Partly because, most everyone likes receiving a nice food gift. They are easily adaptable to whoever you are buying a gift for.

Goodies like chocolates, fresh baked goods and gourmet treats are high on the list of edible gifts. Do you have a hard to buy for person on your Christmas list? Edible gifts are your solution. Give them a basket of gourmet goodies like sausage, cheese and crackers, cookies, cakes, or any number of other treats. All gourmet style of course! No more ties or clothing that doesn't get worn. Are you looking for a corporate Christmas gift to give to a business associate? Food items are always a good choice. Give enough for them to take home to their family or share with the office. Your generosity will be remembered long after Christmas is over. You could even provide a nice lunch for an office of clients. Maybe you have a one-of-a-kind chili recipe that you want to share. Gifts like this will be the talk of the office and you will be top on their list when they need the services or products you provide. When the edible gifts come in a gift basket, it makes it even more special. Presentation can make such a difference when giving these types of Christmas gifts. Put them in a holiday style basket and your gift looks like it cost much more than it actually did. Godiva, Ghirardelli or Perguina chocolates are among the finest chocolates, and when they come in a pretty basket with a Christmas bow on it, it will light up anyone's day. Other edible gifts include boxes of candy, cans of caramel corn and homemade Christmas cookies. All will be appreciated. Wrap them up in some pretty Christmas paper or put in a gift bag and you have added a special touch. If you want to add a homemade touch, make some cut-outs or some gourmet popcorn. Growing up, we always had a blend made up of popcorn, butter and almonds. It was so tasty! Some nice baked goods make a wonderful gift. Breads, muffins or pastry will be a real treat. I love receiving breads, such as banana or zucchini bread that someone else makes. They seem to always taste better than my own! Edible Christmas gifts will be a hit and will be a gift that actually gets used. Choose some goodies and get busy gift giving. Edible Christmas Gifts

Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes - One Recipe with Many Variations

There are so many Christmas cookie recipes around but often so little time to bake during the busy holiday season.

The solution? A great tasting basic cookie recipe that quickly and easily turns into such a variety of easy to make Christmas treats, friends and family will think you poured over all your favorite Christmas cookie recipes.

Let's start with the basics.

Basic Cookie Dough Recipe

1/2 cup (or 1 stick) butter (or margarine) at room temperature

1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the flour. Beat with an electric mixer, scraping the sides of the bowl several times, until the mixture is light and fluffy. With mixer at a low speed, add the flour gradually, beating just until everything is well blended.

Place the mixture on a baking sheet using a tablespoon measure and press down with a spoon to flatten a bit. Or roll our and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake at 350ºF for about 12 to 15 minutes, until golden.

This basic cookie mixture is also the base for the following cookie recipes (all baked in a preheated oven at 350ºF).

Orange Cookies

(Makes about 32)

Add 1 tablespoon of grated orange zest to the recipe. Shape into a log that is about 1 1/2" in diameter and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Slice dough into 1/4" thick slices. Place on cookie sheet. Cookies can be decorated with candies, rolled in colored sugar, or cut into pretty holiday shapes before baking. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until lightly browned.

Cherry Coconut Chocolate Squares

(Makes about 54 squares)

In addition to the basic dough you will need:

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3 large eggs

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3 cups flaked coconut

1/2 cup maraschino cherries, well drained and coarsely chopped

Line a 13"x9" baking pan with foil.

Stir cocoa powder into basic dough mixture. Press evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust looks dry.

In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, sugar, almond extract and baking powder until well blended. Stir in coconut and cherries. Pour over the baked crust.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until top just begins to brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Lift it out on to a cutting board using the foil ends and cut into 1 1/2" squares. Squares can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Coconut Pineapple Cookies

(Makes about 36)

In addition to the basic dough you will need:

1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut

1/3 cup pineapple preserves (use raspberry or apricot if you prefer)

Add 1 cup of the flaked coconut to the basic dough mixture and mix well. Shape the dough into 1 1/2" balls and roll in the remaining coconut to coat them. Place the balls 1" apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Make a deep indentation in the center of each cookie with your fingertip.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cookie is firm and the coconut is lightly toasted. When cooled, fill each hole in the center of the cookies with the preserves.

You can vary this basic dough to make a wide variety of Christmas cookie recipes. Add other flavorings like maple, ginger or cinnamon. Add chopped dried fruits like apricots or dates. Or bake them plain in holiday shapes and decorate with colored icing.

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year. Here's hoping these quick and easy Christmas cookie recipes help keep the pressure off the cook.

Best Christmas Cookie Recipes - Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

A zesty cookie that resembles a pinwheel.

3/4 cup butter, softened

Cookie Recipe

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

1/4 teaspoon red liquid food coloring

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla. Couple the flour, baking powder and salt; slowly add to the creamed aggregate and mix well.

Divide the dough in half and add the passage and red food coloring to one section.

Take four sheets of wax paper and roll out each part of dough between two sheets. Roll dough into a 16x10-inch rectangle. Remove waxed paper.

Place the red rectangle over plain rectangle and roll up tightly (jelly roll style), beginning with a long side. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight or until firm.

Unwrap the dough and cut into 1/4-inch slices. Place 2-inches apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until set. Cool completely.

Makes 48 cookies.

=> Best Christmas Cookie Recipes: Cherry Pecan Icebox Cookies

These cookies are bursting with flavorful cherries and pecans.

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/4 cups sugar

1 egg

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped pecans

3/4 cup red and/or green candied cherries

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add in the egg; mix well.

In another bowl, Couple the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture; mix well. Stir in the pecans and candied cherries.

Shape dough into four 8-inch rolls and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 4 hours or more or until firm.

Unwrap the dough and cut into 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch slices. Place 2-inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned and the edges are set. Cool completely.

Makes 156 cookies.

=> Best Christmas Cookie Recipes: Holiday Cheesecake Bar Cookies

These puny cheesecake cookies are easy to make and so delicious.

2 cups all purpose flour

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

2/3 cup cold butter

1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl, Couple the flour and brown sugar; cut in batter until the aggregate resembles common crumbs. Stir in the walnuts. Sustain 1 cup. Press the remaining crumbs into the bottom of an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake for 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, in another bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one. Beat in the milk, lemon juice and vanilla; pour over crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes longer or until the edges are lightly browned and the filling is approximately set. Cool and cut into bars. Adornment with cherries. Store in refrigerator.

Makes 24 bar cookies.

Best Christmas Cookie Recipes - Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

Christmas Cookie Recipes - Santa Face Cookies

Santa Claus pays a visit to your table in these delightfully cute cookies.

1 cup butter

Cookie Recipe

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups flour plus supplementary for rolling

Royal Packaged Icing Mix

Red food coloring

Pastel candy dots

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place butter in a bowl and cream until nice and fluffy. Slowly beat in sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the milk and vanilla. Add in flour; mix thoroughly. Chill dough for 1 to 2 hours or until it is easy to handle.

Work with 1/3 of the dough at a time and leave rest in the refrigerator until ready to use.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Take a Santa shaped cookie cutter and dip it into flour, then cut out Santa faces. Place cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until just golden brown. Let cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Remove from cookie sheet and cool completely.

Prepare the royal icing agreeing to box directions. Color half the icing red and leave the other half the original color. Using a icing bag or plastic bag with a hole cut in it, pipe a red Santa hat on each cookie. Follow up with white icing for Santa's beard, eyes and hat pompom.

Place a candy garnish in the town of each white eye. Allow icing to set before serving.

Makes 18 to 24 cookies.

=> Christmas Cookie Recipes: Easy Snowmen Cookies

These snowmen are easy to make and they make nice centerpiece decorations.

1 (16 oz.) box Nutter Butter Cookies

1 1/4 pounds white candy coating, melted

Miniature chocolate chips

M&M exiguous baking bits

Pretzel sticks, halved

Orange and red decorating gel or frosting

Directions

Using tongs, dip cookies in candy coating; shake off excess. Place cookie on waxed paper.

To decorate: Place two chocolate chips on one end of cookies for eyes. Place baking bits down middle for buttons. For arms, dip ends of two pretzel stick halves into coating; attach one to each side.

Let stand until hardened. Pipe nose and scarf with gel or frosting.

Makes 32 cookies.

=> Christmas Cookie Recipes: Peppermint Twist Kiss Cookies

The peppermint twist isn't just a song, but a delicioius holiday cookie that is colorful and festive.

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 to 8 drops red food coloring

36 chocolate kisses

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and the sugar. Add in the egg yolk, peppermint passage and vanilla extract; mix well.

In a isolate bowl, integrate the flour and salt; Slowly add to creamed mixture.

Divide the dough into two sections. Tint one section red. Divide the dough into four sections. You should have two red sections and two regular sections. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Shape each section into a 9-inch log. Place one plain log next to one red log. Slowly twist the plain and red logs together and originate one swirled log. Repeat with the other two logs.

Cut each log into nine slices; roll each slice into a ball. Place each slice 1-inch apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a glass.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Press a chocolate kiss candy piece into each cookie center, while cookies are still warm. Let cool.

Makes 36 cookies.

Christmas Cookie Recipes - Santa Face Cookies

The Cookie Swap - A collection of Christmas Cookies in One Afternoon

My daughter and I love baking so when the holidays come we find it quite fun to originate a variety of cookies to have Christmas Day. We also love to give away as gifts to citizen that we are thankful for a box full Christmas Cookies.

A few years back my daughter and I baked and baked and then gave a variety of Christmas cookies to our friends. It took us several weeks to accomplish this task as we wanted the variety of cookies. We had poured over cookie recipes to conclude which yummy cookies to make. We chose some popular cookie recipes like a chocolate chip cookie recipe, our best sugar cookie, a peanut butter, a spritz, and a ginger cookie. We then looked at new ones as we wanted the top cookie recipes! We looked at other recipes for gingerbread, recipes for thumbprint cookies, a lemon cookie, a chocolate cookie recipe and you can't forget about oatmeal cookies. When all was said and done we no ifs ands or buts had some great Christmas cookie recipes.

Cookie Recipe

Then we compiled this huge shopping list for the ingredients they required. When we got all our materials together the baking began. This was going to take several weeks. So the Christmas Carols were on and the baking began. My daughter and I had a good time baking up her favorites a chocolate chip cookie recipe and the sugar cookies--best part was the cookie decorations. Now I did end the baking of the rest by myself -Christmas music still going. However, the memories of the time we baked side by side with my daughter with our aprons dotted with flour was priceless.

When they were all baked we gift wrapped them in pretty Christmas tins and it was gift giving time. Oh, don't get me wrong, we also had a nice tray of cookies left at home for our Christmas dinner.

A common criticism from the gift recipient was that they loved the cookies but wouldn't have done it themselves. It made me sad that the tradition of Christmas cookie baking had gotten lost with the heavy to-do lists. It got me reasoning next year why don't I host a Christmas cookie exchange? We all just bake one type of cookie, bring them to a fun holiday party while the party we cookie swap and we leave happy with a variety of cookies. So my planning began! We all had such a great time.

It is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and socialize with citizen you care about. Friends, neighbors and family secure together at your home, bringing their popular baked cookies and cookie recipes. So a new Christmas tradition was born.

You too can originate Christmas Tradition and host a Cookie Swap. I hope our story stirs up a dinky curiosity about an old tradition brought back into light. Simply ask your guests, eat and swap cookies and enjoy each other's company...isn't that what Christmas is about really?

You may be saying, "I would love to originate that Christmas Tradition, but how do you host a cookie swap?" Well, the good news is I have a great resource that will rejoinder your question. It will take you step by step through the planning process, forms and checklists to keep you on track and ideas to keep a straightforward but fun Christmas Party.

So you can start a tradition without a lot of fuss. It is " The Cookie Swap - originate a Christmas Tradition-One Cookie recipe at a Time". Get yours here.

The Cookie Swap - A collection of Christmas Cookies in One Afternoon