Christmas Cookies on the Brain

sevsmom
sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
in Chit-Chat
Gang, I have a MISERABLE sweet tooth. And I've had Chistmas cookies on the brain for the last 2 days. I make cookies and package them up all pretty to give to friends/coworkers/neighbors as gifts. This is usually a month long process of baking and freezing, dividing and packaging and then a mad flurry of deliveries.

I get the joy of making lots of sugary treats, giving gifts, and NOT eating them all myself thus gaining tons of weight. Plus, my kids LOVE helping and being taste testers!!

I purposely do NOT make frosted sugar cookies because I simply can NOT find a recipe for either the cookie or the frosting that pleases me. I keep trying to recreate a cookie I used to buy at a local eatery and I fail each time!

So, here's my list so far. What would YOU add to the list?

- Orange Batons
- Spritz Cookies
- Peppermint swirls (they look so pretty!)
- Chocolate swirls (ditto)
- Russian Tea Cakes
- Snickerdoodles
- Black & Whites
- Molassess
- Chocolate Fudge
- Peanut Butter Fudge

Replies

  • HMToomey
    HMToomey Posts: 276
    Gang, I have a MISERABLE sweet tooth. And I've had Chistmas cookies on the brain for the last 2 days. I make cookies and package them up all pretty to give to friends/coworkers/neighbors as gifts. This is usually a month long process of baking and freezing, dividing and packaging and then a mad flurry of deliveries.

    I get the joy of making lots of sugary treats, giving gifts, and NOT eating them all myself thus gaining tons of weight. Plus, my kids LOVE helping and being taste testers!!

    I purposely do NOT make frosted sugar cookies because I simply can NOT find a recipe for either the cookie or the frosting that pleases me. I keep trying to recreate a cookie I used to buy at a local eatery and I fail each time!

    So, here's my list so far. What would YOU add to the list?

    - Orange Batons
    - Spritz Cookies
    - Peppermint swirls (they look so pretty!)
    - Chocolate swirls (ditto)
    - Russian Tea Cakes
    - Snickerdoodles
    - Black & Whites
    - Molassess
    - Chocolate Fudge
    - Peanut Butter Fudge

    I do this too!!! I can never get the spritz gun to work right though! I do a triple chocolate chip that everyone loves it's the recipe for chocolate chip cookies doubled but then add a bag of semi sweet a bag of milk chocolate and a bag of dark chocolate doubled recipe triple the chocolate.

    Have you ever heard of the 'Boo' game? It's how I plan to recipe test this year!
    http://www.beenbooed.com/
  • LadyQueefsalot
    LadyQueefsalot Posts: 150 Member
    Soft pumpkin cookies! They actually come out more like little cake-bites, they're so soft and moist. I make them with walnuts and if I'm really feeling really ambitious, ice them with a glaze. You can even make them healthy by omitting the cup (GASP!) of vegetable oil for a cup of applesauce- you seriously cannot taste or feel a difference in texture!
  • CassandraChloeJ
    CassandraChloeJ Posts: 47 Member
    No bake cookies, buckeyes and puppy chow!! I personally don't make these and I am sure they aren't as fancy as the ones you listed but I would love to receive them! They are my favorites! Caramel corn would be good too and if you want to go with something not so sweet you could make party mix. :)
  • smtillman2
    smtillman2 Posts: 756 Member
    I was NOT thinking about Christmas cookies or any other kind of cookie untill I read this title. Thanks, now I really want a ginger bread cookie. Blah
  • HMToomey
    HMToomey Posts: 276
    I really want to make gingerbread houses with my god daughters this year. 4 year old twins and a five year old. Fun! :heart:
  • mtbke5
    mtbke5 Posts: 96 Member
    Peanut Butter Blossoms

    I just made them for my husband last night in hopes that I won't have to make them for Christmas and have one less thing in the house to be tempted by!
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    No bakes are on the list. I forgot them (hubby's request).

    Peanut butter Blossoms sound lovely. Care to share?! I might be persuaded to drop the peanut butter fudge for those.
  • mtbke5
    mtbke5 Posts: 96 Member
    You can use any type of kiss (I like dark chocolate personally), or rolos, mini peanut butter cups, etc. When you put your kisses in, put them point side down and they stack better :wink:

    Enjoy!


    Ingredients
    48 KISSES
    1/2 cupshortening
    3/4 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
    1/3 cupgranulated sugar
    1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
    1 egg
    2 tablespoonsmilk
    1 teaspoonvanilla extract
    1-1/2 cupsall-purpose flour
    1 teaspoonbaking soda
    1/2 teaspoonsalt
    Granulated sugar




    Directions

    1 Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.


    2 Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.


    3 Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.


    4 Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each
    cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.
    About 4 dozen cookies.
  • Jesi0725
    Jesi0725 Posts: 92 Member
    I just have to add that I had Christmas cookies on my mind last week. I could not stop thinking about frosted cut-outs. So on Saturday night, I made the batter. On Sunday morning, I baked and frosted about 10 dozen of those little suckers. On Sunday afternoon, I ate about one dozen with three glasses of wine. Yesterday morning, I stepped on the scale with trepidation....no pounds gained! My Christmas cookie hankering is over, at least until Christmas! :bigsmile:
  • eyestylemom
    eyestylemom Posts: 107 Member
    You can use any type of kiss (I like dark chocolate personally), or rolos, mini peanut butter cups, etc. When you put your kisses in, put them point side down and they stack better :wink:

    Enjoy!


    Ingredients
    48 KISSES
    1/2 cupshortening
    3/4 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
    1/3 cupgranulated sugar
    1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
    1 egg
    2 tablespoonsmilk
    1 teaspoonvanilla extract
    1-1/2 cupsall-purpose flour
    1 teaspoonbaking soda
    1/2 teaspoonsalt
    Granulated sugar




    Directions

    1 Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.


    2 Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.


    3 Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.


    4 Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each
    cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.
    About 4 dozen cookies.

    I do these too, but I also make chocolate ones with the Christmas mint kisses. They are divine!
  • _Elemenopee_
    _Elemenopee_ Posts: 2,665 Member
    I didn't..but now I do..thanks! :mad:
  • linda1243
    linda1243 Posts: 166
    I'm curious, do you bake the cookies and freeze them, then gift them? If so, they taste good after thawing? Or do you freeze the pre-baked cookie batter?
  • eyestylemom
    eyestylemom Posts: 107 Member
    I do a lot of those on your list (LOVE snickerdoodles), but I also do sugar cookies, oatmeal craisin coconut, fudge and brittle. I am very excited to bake this year as I get to send it all off to my DH's work.
  • ErinBeth7
    ErinBeth7 Posts: 1,625 Member
    No gingerbread? Or are the molasses cookies similar?
  • pamperedlinny
    pamperedlinny Posts: 1,688 Member
    Lemon snowball cookies are my fave!!! All that powdered sugar on the outside and the lemon taste on the inside. Mmmmmm
  • jensweighingin
    jensweighingin Posts: 168 Member
    Oh God, I heard a few weeks ago there were 100 days to Christmas. It caused me to panic.

    I do peanut blossoms and chocolate peanut blossoms with reese and mint kisses (2 separate cookies). Sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip, candycane twists, triple chocolate, cranberry icebox cookies, spritz, and hello dollies.

    I have frozen them and thawed them before. I'm interested in that boo website. I've had a few clunkers in my quest to make different cookies.
  • megandme120
    megandme120 Posts: 95 Member
    Ohhh!!!! Don't make me think about Christmas cookies! They are my favorite! Three months 'til Christmas; my favorite holiday too. :happy:
  • CottonCandyKisses
    CottonCandyKisses Posts: 246 Member
    I LOVE holiday baking! Caramel dipped pretzel rods (covered in goodies) and gingerbread men are to 2 most requested tray items! Followed by popcorn balls and caramel corn. Then all sorts of other cookies and fudge. I like to make up trays and give them away too.
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    I'm curious, do you bake the cookies and freeze them, then gift them? If so, they taste good after thawing? Or do you freeze the pre-baked cookie batter?

    I freeze after baking and they taste great. Trick is: line cookies up on sheets of wax paper and put in good quality freezer bags (no cheap ones) then DEEP freeze them. But, I only store them for less than 3 weeks. Usually about 2. . .I just bake EVERY evening after work. I wouldn't recommend freezing them long term.

    I've never had a complaint and I get TONS of requests for more cookies throughout the year!

    And.... about the gingerbread. . .I abhor *gasp* gingerbread cookies. I barely tolerate the molassess cookies. But, my hubby loves them so I make them for him!
  • sarahharmintx
    sarahharmintx Posts: 868 Member
    I made Nutella-Stuffed Brown Butter + Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies last week and they were RIDICULOUS.

    http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2012/09/nutella-stuffed-brown-butter-sea-salt-chocolate-chip-cookies-my-favorite-cookie-ever/
  • ReclaimingSarah
    ReclaimingSarah Posts: 250 Member
    My family favorite: Angel Kisses. (However, these may not be the best for shipping, as they are pretty delicate.)

    2 egg whites, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp cream of tarter, 1 tsp vanilla, 3/4 sugar, 3/4 cup chopped pecans

    Beat egg whites, salt, cream of tarter & vanilla. (It will look really bubbly & frothy when done.)

    Slowly add the sugar and continue beating until very stiff. (It will look kind of like paste.)

    Fold in nuts gently.

    Spread cookie sheet with parchment paper & drop the dough by the teaspoon. Bake at 300 degrees for 25. (Maybe even 20 or so, depending on your oven...they should still be white-ish.) Also, if you're done baking for the night, you can just turn off the oven & leave these in overnight. They will bake as the oven cools itself.

    Slip paper off the baking sheet and let cool completely. They should slide off easily with a metal spatula.

    Enjoy! ((They literally melt in your mouth.))
  • naculp
    naculp Posts: 225 Member
    The only thing you're missing is my address! The latter half of November through January was my downfall last year haha
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    The only thing you're missing is my address! The latter half of November through January was my downfall last year haha

    All of my deliveries, thus far, have been in person. However, my oldest boy left for Marine boot camp yesterday so I'll probably try to ship a big box down his way in early December before he graduates.

    I LOVE to bake, so baking and giving 90% of it away helps keep me from getting too crazy. Also, I still have 4 other kiddos in the house AND my hubby so they help eat all the ones that don't pass my "quality control" tests!!
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    My family favorite: Angel Kisses. (However, these may not be the best for shipping, as they are pretty delicate.)

    2 egg whites, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp cream of tarter, 1 tsp vanilla, 3/4 sugar, 3/4 cup chopped pecans

    Beat egg whites, salt, cream of tarter & vanilla. (It will look really bubbly & frothy when done.)

    Slowly add the sugar and continue beating until very stiff. (It will look kind of like paste.)

    Fold in nuts gently.

    Spread cookie sheet with parchment paper & drop the dough by the teaspoon. Bake at 300 degrees for 25. (Maybe even 20 or so, depending on your oven...they should still be white-ish.) Also, if you're done baking for the night, you can just turn off the oven & leave these in overnight. They will bake as the oven cools itself.

    Slip paper off the baking sheet and let cool completely. They should slide off easily with a metal spatula.

    Enjoy! ((They literally melt in your mouth.))

    These sound quite like a treat I've made in the past. . .coconut-lime mirengue cookies. Similar thing with the egg whites and leavening agents. But you fold in lime zest and shredded sweetened coconut. Those aren't my favorite for freezing or packaging as the slightest bump makes them crumble up. But now I'm considering trying your recipe. . . .
  • ReclaimingSarah
    ReclaimingSarah Posts: 250 Member
    Yes- these are just a basic nutty meringue cookie. I'm going to try subbing in different flavorings than vanilla this year and will also experiment with adding chocolate chips and/or cocoa powder. They can be quite crumbly, but they are just so delicious.
  • alias1001
    alias1001 Posts: 634 Member
    Cream Wafers! First made them with my mother from Betty Crocker's Cooky Book . Best evaaar:

    da66f108-d5ec-479a-b074-bd2fdec40415.jpg


    Wafers
    2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
    1 cup butter or margarine
    softened 1/3 cup whipping (heavy) cream
    Granulated sugar

    Creamy Filling
    3/4 cup powdered sugar
    1/4 cup butter or margarine
    softened 1 teaspoon vanilla
    lemon extract or peppermint extract
    Food color, if desired

    1. In medium bowl, mix flour, 1 cup butter and the whipping cream with spoon. Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm.

    2. Heat oven to 375ºF. Roll one-third of dough at a time 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured surface. (Keep remaining dough refrigerated until ready to roll.) Cut into desired shapes with 1 1/2-inch cookie cutters. Generously cover large piece of waxed paper with granulated sugar. Transfer cutouts to waxed paper, using pancake turner. Turn each cutout to coat both sides. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Prick each cutout with fork about 4 times.

    3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or just until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

    4. Meanwhile, mix all Creamy Filling ingredients until smooth. Add a few drops water if necessary. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon filling between bottoms of pairs of cookies.
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    Cream Wafers! First made them with my mother from Betty Crocker's Cooky Book . Best evaaar:

    da66f108-d5ec-479a-b074-bd2fdec40415.jpg


    Wafers
    2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
    1 cup butter or margarine
    softened 1/3 cup whipping (heavy) cream
    Granulated sugar

    Creamy Filling

    Those look DELISH!!!!!
    3/4 cup powdered sugar
    1/4 cup butter or margarine
    softened 1 teaspoon vanilla
    lemon extract or peppermint extract
    Food color, if desired

    1. In medium bowl, mix flour, 1 cup butter and the whipping cream with spoon. Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm.

    2. Heat oven to 375ºF. Roll one-third of dough at a time 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured surface. (Keep remaining dough refrigerated until ready to roll.) Cut into desired shapes with 1 1/2-inch cookie cutters. Generously cover large piece of waxed paper with granulated sugar. Transfer cutouts to waxed paper, using pancake turner. Turn each cutout to coat both sides. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Prick each cutout with fork about 4 times.

    3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or just until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

    4. Meanwhile, mix all Creamy Filling ingredients until smooth. Add a few drops water if necessary. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon filling between bottoms of pairs of cookies.
  • deeharley
    deeharley Posts: 1,208 Member
    Yep - cream wafers. My mother has made them every Christmas for as long as I can remember. I make them, too, and had a specific request for them this year - SO yummy!

    I also make buckeyes, old fashioned sugar cookies, candy cane cookies, stuffed stockings and iced cinnamon chip cookies. My 12-year-old son makes the ginger cookies in our house - not gingerbread, though.
  • mello
    mello Posts: 817 Member
    I do the same, except with candy instead of cookies

    Divinity
    Martha Washington Balls- it's a southern thing I think. Think peanut butter balls, except made with confectioner's sugar, butter, condensed milk, coconut, pecans rolled into balls and dipped in chocolate. :love:
    Chocolate dipped pretzels
    Pralines
    Peanut Butter Fudge

    I buy cute $1 plates at the dollar store and fix plates of candy and deliver!!

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