7 Days of Holiday Treats - Cut Out Sugar Cookies

When we were growing up, one of my mom's friends bought her a cookbook and on the inside cover dedicated it to the mistreated kids in our family who never got cut out sugar cookies.  After that, decorated sugar  cookies became a Santa treat tradition in our house.  Sometimes we made them from scratch, sometimes from a mix, but they were always left out for Santa on Christmas Eve.

My sister and I have continued the tradition with our kids at my mom's house.  On years we are all home for Thanksgiving we make them then, and when we are home for Christmas we make them Christmas Eve morning.  To speed up the process we now use a recipe that doesn't require refrigeration and a frosting recipe that hardens just a bit so the cookies store better. 

Hope you will consider leaving a few of these yummy cookies for Santa this year.  We know from exerience he really like them.

Cut Out Sugar Cookies from The Adventures of Sweet Sugarbelle
** I always use almond extract and I use at least 3 t if not a bit more -- we REALLY like almond around here.

Sugar Cookie Icing
I double this recipe, dividing it into 1 c portions and tinting each a different color for very festive cookies.

7 Days of Holiday Treats - Peppermint Popcorm

I made this Pinterest find on a whim last year to take to a last minute holiday party.  WOW!  Not a single piece was left and they were asking for more.  One of the best parts about this recipe is how easy it is.  One word of caution -- You MUST use peppermint oil, NOT peppermint extract.  The extract will sieze up the candy coating -- ask me how I know...

Peppermint Popcorn

2 bags microwave popcorn, popped -- I like to use salted for a sweet/salty taste
3 regular size candy canes, crushed
1 lb almond bark
5 - 8 drops of peppermint oil (no extract)

Toss popped corn and crushed candy canes in the largest bowl you can find.  Melt almond bark according to package directions.  Add peppermint oil and stir well -- at this point I do a taste test and add more oil if necessary.  Pour almond bark over popcorn and toss until well-coated.  Spread on parchment paper to harden - 45 min - hour.  Break into pieces and enjoy. 

7 Days of Holiday Treats - Jam Thumbprints

This is such a traditional holiday cookie, but it is so delicious.  I like to use a variety of homemade jams and jellies.  I have used apricot, cherry, and strawberry.  These also add color to your holiday cookie trays.

Jam Thumbprint Cookies

1 c butter, softened
2/3 c sugar
1/2 t almond extract
2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c jam or jelly of your choice

Glaze -
1/2 c confectioners's sugar
3/4 t almond extract
1 t milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.  Mix in 1/2 t almond extract.  Mix in flour until dough comes together.  Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Make an indention in each cookie with your thumb and fill with jam or jelly of your choice. 

Bake for 14 - 18 minutes in preheated oven, or until very lightly browned.  Let cool 1 minute on the cookie sheet. 

In a medium bowl, mix together the confectioners' sugar, 3/4 t almond extract and milk until smooth.  Drizzle lightly over warm cookies. 

7 Days of Holiday Treats - Shortbread Bites

Every year Dillards and Southern Living team up to create a Holiday Book you can only get at Dillards.  My mom has been buying these every year for my sister and I as our Thanksgiving Present.  One of our traditions has become leafing thorough our new bokos and deciding what to make.  One year's find was these buttery, flavorful shortbread cookies.  Now, I LOVE a good shortbread cookie, but the additions of chopped dried cherries and chocolate make these stand out. 

These yummy treats have a hard time making it to my cookie trays.  They are so delicious I want to eat them all myself.   If I'm being honest, I had to make two batches....

Chocolate Cherry Sugar Crusted Shortbread Bites

Southern Living Ultimate Christmas Cookbook  2012

 

1 c butter, softened

1/2 c powdered sugar

2 1/2 c all-purpose flour

1/8 t salt

1/4 c semi-sweet mini chocolate chips (I just chopped up regular size chocolate chips)

1/4 c finely chopped dried cherries

1 t vanilla extract

1 T granulated sugar

1/2 c granulated sugar

 

Beat butter until creamy; add powdered sugar, beating well. 

 

Combine flour and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended.  Stir in chocolate cherries and vanilla.

 

Line an 8" square pan wtih aluminum foil, allowing foil to extend over edges of pan  Lightly grease foil with cooking spray and sprinkle with 1 T granulated sugar.  Press dough into pan.

 

Bake at 325 degrees for for 40 minutes or until slightly golden.  Cool 30 minutes or until slightly warm in pan.  Use foil to gently lift shortbread from pan.  Cut shortbread into 1" squares using a long sharp knife.  Roll shortbread squares in 1/2 c of granualted sugar. 

 

Linking up at

Tatertots and Jello

Holiday Baking Week - Truffles

I really enjoy making candies for the holidays.  We have some real favorites around here.  This in the one part of holiday baking both kids like to help with.  I can always count on them to rolls candies and help cover them in chocolate. 

Oreo Balls

Kentucky Bourbon Balls

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

Linking up to

Sweet Tooth Friday

Life as Mom Ultimate Recipe Swap

Holiday Baking Week - Reese'e Cup Cookies

These are my son's absolute favorite cookie.   When I make them, I know there won't be any left the next day.   I have already made 3 batches of these cookies, and Christmas Break hasn't even started yet.  I think I will make another trip to Walmart to stock up on Reese's Cups!

Now, you can make your own peanut butter cookies, but I just use the Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie Mix in the pouch.  I know, I know, I'm the "make your own queen" and my sister makes fun of me unmercilessly, but this one is just easy and I like these cookies from the mix!  One pouch makes 24 cookies, exactly the number my mini-muffin pan holds.  Perfect!

Reese's Cup Cookies

1 pouch Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie Mix
ingredients to make the cookies (from back of pouch)
24 unwrapped Reese's Cup miniatures.

Prepare cookie mix according to package directions.  Roll into 2" balls and place in mini-muffin pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes or until set and LIGHTLY brown. 

Remove from oven and push one Reese's Cup into the top of each cookie ball. 

Allow to cool completely before eating or serving.

Just look at all the peanut butter and chocolate goodness.  Truth be told, these are some of my favorite holiday cookies too!

Christmas Kitchen Gifts

This week, I am linking up to Holly Bloggy Christmas 2011 hosted by Simply Sweet Home.  Today's topic is Homemade Gifts and you can find many, many ideas by visiting Jen at Tatertots and Jello.

These are some of the gifts finding their way under the trees of our family, friends and neighbors this holiday season -

Spiced Bing Cherry Jam

Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

Homemade Vanilla

Orange Cranberry Biscotti



For more great homemade gift ideas, visit Tatertots and Jello.

Holiday Baking Week - Orange Cranberry Biscotti

Welcome to Holiday Baking Week here on Love Being In My Southern Kitchen!  Each day this week, I will be sharing one of the treats I am making for family and friends this holiday season.  Hope you find a new favorite.

This was the first biscotti recipe I ever made and it is still my favorite.  It is so easy to make and has such a delicious taste.  I really like it with my morning coffee.  I gave it as gifts last year to my neighbors and there have been several hints as it gets closer to Christmas this year.  I found the recipe at allrecipes.com.  I made a couple of  changes.  I used orange juice instead of orange liqueur as I like the taste better (and I have to save my Grand Marnier for my cosmos!) and I drizzled melted white chocolate over the cooled biscotti to add one more element of flavor.

Orange Cranberry Biscotti

1/2 c butter

3/4 c sugar

2 eggs

1 T orange zest

2 T orange juice

2 1/4 c flour

1 1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1 1/2 t cinnamon

1/4 c chopped dried cranberries

3/4 c toasted, chopped almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.  Beat in egg.  Stir in orange zest and orange juice.  Sift together flour, bkaing powder, salt and cinnamon, stir into the creamed mixture, then stir in almonds and cranberries.

On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough in half.  Roll each half into a log about 1 1/2 inches wide by 10 inches long.  Set the rolls lengthwise on a baking sheet at least 3 inches apart, and flatten slightly.

Bake for 20 - 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm to the touch and slightly brown on top.

Cool for 10 - 15 minutes, then slice each log crosswise, at a diagonal, into 1/2 inch wide slices.  Lay them cut side down on the baking sheet and return to the oven for 10 minutes, then turn over and bake for 10 more minutes.  Cool completely, then drizzle with melted white chocolate. 

Cool on wire racks, store in an airtight container.

Linking to -

Tasty Tuesday

Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms

Holly Bloggy Christmas
Ingredient Spotlight

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Vanilla, vanilla, oh how I love thee!  One of my favorite scents and tastes is vanilla.  I adore vanilla candles, Warm Vanilla Sugar is my go to BBW fragrance and I just can't resist adding extra vanilla to any and all recipes calling for the delicious extract.  I am a vanilla snob and only pure vanilla will do, no imitation in my kitchen, but it is so gosh darn EXPENSIVE! 

My solution?  Make my own!  I never realized how easy, economical and delicious homemade vanilla is. 

 You need 3 things - 

1.  A Mason Jar - I started with a pint jar -MISTAKE- the second time I made vanilla, I went with a quart size, much better idea.

2.  Good Vodka - many will say cheap vodka is good enough, but seriously, your vanilla is only going to be as good as the ingredients you put into it.  Splurge a bit and get the good stuff, you can make a great cosmo with what is left over (wink, wink).

3.  Fresh Vanilla Beans - note the term "FRESH".  Do not use those dried up things you buy in a bottle at the grocery store.  They've been sitting there since Christmas of 2000 and have very little flavor yet.  I order mine online through Amazon.  I like the Madagascar Bourbon beans the best.  You will need about 12 beans for a quart jar.

Clean and dry your jar well.  Make sure your jar lid and ring are new for food safety's sake. 
Take each bean and make a cut down the middle, but do not remove the seeds.
Put the beans in the jar, cover with vodka almost to the top.
Cover with jar lid and tightly screw on jar ring.
Put in a cool, dark place for about 3 months, shaking once a week or so.
And here's what you get...

Look at that delicious yummy flavor in a jar!  A quick word of warning - homemade vanilla has a stronger flavor than imitation or even real vanilla you can purchase, so use according to your one vanilla tastes.  You can share this if you like, or keep it all for yourself.  It makes great gifts.  There are several places online you can order cute, smallish bottles inexpensively.  Label and tie it up with ribbon and you have a great gift.

Here are some recipes using homemade vanilla extract:

Vanilla Almond Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles
Pumpkin Crisp
Bourbon Cake
Warm Vanilla Fruit

Linked to
Made by You Monday
Tatertots and Jello
The Grant Life
I Heart Naptime
What I Made Wednesday
Link It Up Wednesday

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

Oh my, these are delicious!  Our Elf, Bruce brought a bag of Candy Cane Hershey Kisses to Boo Boo a few nights ago and she discovered the recipe for these cookies on the back.  We made them last night and they are wonderful.  I am sure we will make them at least once more before Christmas, especially since Bruce ate a few last night while we were sleeping (wink, wink).

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
from Hersheys

48 Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses, unwrapped (we only needed 36, made our cookies just a bit bigger)
1/2 (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1 c granualted sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 t vanilla extract
2 c all-purpose flour
1/4 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
2 T milk
red or green sugar crystals, we used Christmas sprinkles too

1.  Heat oven to 350.

2.  Beat butter, sugar, egg and vanilla in large bowl until well blended.  Stir together flour, baking soda, salt; add alternately with milk to butter mixture, beating until well blended.

3.  Shape dough into 1" balls (I had to chill my dough for about 20 minutes to keep it from being sticky and my dough balls were about 1 1/2 inches).  Roll in sugar or sprinkles.

4.  Bake 8 - 10 minutes (my larger cookies took 10 - 12 minutes) or until edges are lightly browned and cookie is set.  Remove from oven; cool 2 - 3 minutes.  Press a candy kiss into center of each cookie.  Remove cookie from sheet to wire rack.  Cool completely. 

Makes about 4 dozen ( I got 3 dozen). 

Linked to Tasty Tuesday
Delicious Dishes
Home for the Holidays
Ultimate Recipe Swap
Holly Bloggy Christmas
Holiday Treat Week
Sweet Tooth Friday
Keeping Christmas Alive, 365
All About Christmas

Christmas Cookies - 2 Recipes

Both of these recipes mean Christmas around our house.  The Spritz Cookies were a holiday tradition growing up and the Kentucky Sugar Cookies are a tradition I started for my own family.


Spritz Cookies

1 c shortening
3/4 c sugar
1 egg
1 t almond extract
2 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/4 t baking powder
1/4 salt

1.  Cream shortening and sugar.
2.  Beat in egg and almond extract.
3.  Gradually blend in dry ingredients. 
4.  Press cookie dough througha cookie press.
5.  Sprinkle with sugar.
6.  Bake at 375* for 10 -15 minutes until set.

Makes 6 - 7 dozen cookies


Kentucky Sugar Cookies

1 c butter, softened
1 c vegetable oil
1 c sugar
1 c sifted powdered sugar
2 large eggs
1 t vanilla
4 c all purpose flour
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 t cream of tartar

Beat butter and oil at  medium speed with an electric mixer until well combined. Gradually add sugars, beating well.  Add eggs and vanilla, beating until blended.  Combine 4 cups flour and next 3 ingredients, add to butter mixture, mixing well. 

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 350* for 9 - 10 minutes or until lightly browned.  Transfer cookies to wire racks sprinkle with granulated sugar while still warm. 

Makes 9 dozen. 

Linked to Life as Mom's Ultimate Recipe Swap

Christmas Pomanders

One of our family holiday traditions is making pomaders to display.  This is an activity my husband brought from his family traditions and I am so glad we have adopted in for our small family.  These smell heavenly!  Everyone that has walked in my house remarks on how good the house smells.  They claim it smells just like Christmas. 

All you need to make pomanders are oranges, whole cloves, some willing helpers and time. 

Select thin skinned oranges, navel oranges will not work, the skin is to thick and you will break all of your cloves.  Buy a large container of whole cloves, I get mine at a restaurant supply store, but I am sure Costco, Sam's, etc will have them. 

Simply, push the cloves into the orange.  It is that simple.  We cover some entirely, others we make simple patterns. 

When finished, place them in a festive bowl or basket and display.  We like to place them on our coffee table for maximum smell power.  Protect wood furniture from these as direct contact with the oils from the orange and cloves may damage wood. 

Linking up to Skip to My Lou, Tater Tots and Jello, Fireflies and Jelly Beans, Somewhat Simple