Christmas cookies

 

 

chocolate chip cookies

1/2 C shortening

1/2 C firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 C white sugar

(Or 3/4 C brown sugar and omit white sugar)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 C all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 C chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 F

Cream together shortening and sugar(s). Beat in egg and vanilla.

In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually blend into creamed mixture.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop from a small spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes.

Makes about 2 dozen.

 

 

Snowy Chocolate Cookies

 

Basic chocolate cookie dough

Source: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/basic_chocolate_cookie_dough.php

• Prep time10 minutes
• Total time10 minutes
• Portion size1 batch dough

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, softened
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla
• 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) cocoa powder, sifted
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) baking powder
• Pinch salt

Preparation

In bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy; beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture until combined.

Bake according to directions for the following recipe

• Prep time20 minutes
• Total time45 minutes
• Portion sizeabout 24 cookies

Then follow these directions:

Source: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/snowy_chocolate_cookies.php

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (60 mL) icing sugar
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) granulated sugar
• 1 batch Basic Chocolate Cookie Dough

 Preparation

Set aside 1 tbsp of the icing sugar for dusting over finished cookies. Place remaining icing sugar and granulated sugar in separate shallow dishes. Roll dough by 1 tbsp into balls; roll each in granulated sugar to coat, shaking off excess.

Transfer to icing sugar; roll to coat, shaking off excess. Place, 1-1/2 inches (4 cm) apart, on parchment paper–lined rimless baking sheets, pressing to flatten until edges crack and cookies are about 1/2 inch (1 cm) thick.

Bake, 1 sheet at a time, in 350 F (180 C) oven until no longer shiny, about 10 minutes. Let cool on pans on racks for 5 minutes. Transfer to racks; let cool completely. Dust with reserved icing sugar. 

Make ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container and store for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 weeks.

cal 74	pro 1g	total fat 4g	sat. fat 3g
carb 9g	dietary fibre 1g	sugar 4g	chol 18mg
sodium 31mg	potassium 37mg

Sugar cookies

I used the basic sugar cookie recipe from Canadian Living

Source: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/basic_sugar_cookie_dough.php

• Prep time15 minutes
• Total time1-1/2 hours
• Portion size1 batch dough

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (175 mL) butter, softened
• 1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
• 2-1/2 cups (625 mL) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking powder
• Pinch salt

Preparation

In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture, in 2 additions, just until combined.

Divide dough in half; press into discs. Wrap each in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 1 hour. 

Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Let dough stand at room temperature until soft enough to roll out, about 15 minutes.

Between waxed paper or on a lightly floured surface roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. 

I just used whatever Christmas cookie cutters Darcy wanted to use. 

Bake 1 sheet at a time in 375 F oven until edges ans bottoms are light golden, 12-14 minutes. Let cool on wire racks for 1 minute. transfer to racks; let cool completely. 

I used the same icing as in the shortbread recipe below. I put icing into multiple small bowls and used food coloring to make desired colors.

Shortbread cookies

Basic shortbread recipe from Canadian Living:

Source: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/basic_shortbread_cookie_dough.php

Then follow directions for shortbread snowflakes; I used hearts and houses.

Source: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/shortbread_snowflakes.php

• Prep time15 minutes
• Total time45 minuted
• Portion size1 batch dough

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250 mL) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (175 mL) icing sugar
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla
• 2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
• Preparation

In stand mixer using paddle attachment, or in bowl using  wooden spoon, beat together butter, icing sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy; stir in flour just until combined.

Divide dough in half; press into discs. Wrap each in plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm but still soft enough to roll out, about 30 minutes.

Prepare according to directions for shortbread snowflakes:

• Prep time50 minutes
• Total time1-1/2 hours
• Portion sizeabout 32 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 batch Basic Shortbread Cookie Dough
• 2 cups (500 mL) icing sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) milk
• blue paste food colouring
• coarse sugar
• Preparation

Between waxed or parchment paper, roll out dough to 1/4-inch (5 mm) thickness. Using 3-inch (8 cm) snowflake-shaped cookie cutter, cut out shapes, rerolling and cutting scraps. Place, 2 inches (5 cm) apart, on parchment paper–lined rimless baking sheets; refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.

Bake on top and bottom racks in 325 F (160 C) oven, rotating and switching pans halfway through, until edges are light golden, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely on pans on racks.

Make-ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container and freeze for up to 2 weeks.

Meanwhile, in bowl, whisk icing sugar with milk until smooth; tint with blue food colouring to desired shade. Holding each cookie by edge, press top onto surface of glaze to coat, letting excess drip back into bowl. Let dry on racks for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Let stand until set, about 25 minutes.

Make-ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container and store for up to 3 days.

Tip from The Test Kitchen: Place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper under the rack before glazing the cookies. It catches any stray drips and makes cleanup a snap.

cal 105	pro 1g	total fat 6g	sat. fat 4g
carb 13g	dietary fibre 0	sugar 7g	chol 15mg
sodium 41mg	potassium 11mg