Christmas with Kids » cookies

98: Christmas Cookie Overview

Mama Elf — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 15:33:46 +0000

Do you bake the same cookies every year? In preparation for the big cookie baking season ahead, take some time today and look through your cookbooks for recipes you’ve always wanted to try. This is the time to get those out and do a test run. You don’t want to wait until the week you need 12 dozen cookies for the cookie swap! You need an opportunity to tweak it and make sure it’s going to work for you. Here are ten of my favorite holiday cookies:

Snickerdoodles
Shortbread
Thumbprints
Bourbon Balls
Rum Balls
Buckeyes
Haystacks
Gingerbread
Lemon Snowflakes
Turkish Delight (this is a 4-pack from Amazon, and my favorite brand!!! Authentic and delicious!)

Make a note of all of the cookies you want to try, print them out or copy them, and put them in a 3-ring notebook inside page protectors. This is a cheap and easy way to make your own personalized cookbook. For even more fun, you can make up your own cover page, or decorate the notebook as you like! Enjoy!

50: Day Fifty Checkup

Mama Elf — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:01:07 +0000

Today, let’s take some time to check our progress. How are you doing with the first 50 days of preparation for Christmas? Do you know where you’re spending Christmas this year, or are you playing host/ess? Menu? Guests?

Have you scheduled a family portrait sitting and selected/ordered Christmas cards?

Are you handmaking gifts this year? Knitting projects? Soap? Exploding cards?

Have you tried at least one new cookie recipe? Please say that you have! Everyone loves cookies!

Make your lists and check them twice! Put them all in one place: a notebook/planner or PDA/smartphone. Stay on top of it this year and don’t be caught by surprise a month from now.

Photo courtesy of Adam Smith

51: Christmas Cookie Remix #2

Mama Elf — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:01:59 +0000

It’s time for another Christmas Cookie trial run! This is the time to try those new cookie recipes out before you’re committed to making 13 dozen for a cookie swap. Make a batch and send them to work with Dad, or pack them in the kids’ lunches this week!

Go back to Day 90 Post for instructions!

90: Try a New Cookie Recipe

Mama Elf — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:01:09 +0000

Last week, I asked you to review your cookbooks and look for cookies you’ve always wanted to make. Well, today, think about making one of those new cookie recipes. You can do it today, or this week some time, but try one out! Your kids will be so thrilled to get them in their lunches this week! I’d like to hear about everyone’s cookie adventures, so post a note in the comments when you’ve completed this mission! Happy baking!

Here’s one of my favorites for fun! These are easy!

Lemon Snowflakes Recipe (pdf)

Lemon Snowflakes

INGREDIENTS

1 package lemon cake mix
2 T lemon juice (or 1/2 T lemon extract)
1 egg
2 1/4 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 cups confectioners’ sugar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the cake mix, lemon juice, egg and whipped topping together. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended (batter will be sticky). Drop batter by teaspoonfuls into the confectioners’ sugar and roll to coat. Place cookies onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets and bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

TIPS

Using a small scoop makes scooping out the batter much easier.
Use parchment paper or they will stick.
Making sure the cookies are lightly browned is the key to their doneness.
You can make modifications to this recipe such as using chocolate cake mix and chocolate whipped topping, or any other flavor cake mix. It’s so easy!