Showing posts with label Christmas Cookies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas Cookies. Show all posts

Saturday, December 19, 2020

A Christmas Cookie Bakers Dozen

It is that time of year again. I can smell the amazing, comforting aroma of Christmas Cookies..... It has been such a weird and difficult year, so, perhaps these cookies will take your mind off the chaos, if only for a bit!

I have included a bakers dozen of some of my favorite Christmas Cookies. I try to make these cookies every year, but it has not been possible this year, so instead I am sharing them with you, hoping you might be inspired, curious, or just hungry! Maybe you know someone who would love these! Have a Merry Christmas!






























Click on the title of each cookie and it will connect you to all the info you will need to bake the cookies! I hope you try one or two or all of these recipes!

Merry Christmas!
from
The Freshman Cook!






























Sunday, December 3, 2017

Gingerbread Men Cookies / #ChristmasCookiesWeek

Welcome to Day 1 of Christmas Cookies Week! I am starting this fun and very tasty week with my favorite cookie, the Gingerbread Man! These cookies are easy to make and full of deliciousness! They are perfect for shipping because of their sturdy nature, and they are such a universally loved cookie, that they are welcome in any cookie basket or tin that you might be gifting friends or family with this season.
These cookies can be made ahead of time, and even frozen if needed. Decorate a day or two before packing them to give as a gift, so the frosting has time to completely dry!
There is a giveaway that starts today being sponsored by Nielsen-Massey Fine Vanillas & Flavors! Find the entry info towards the end of this page, and Good Luck!
Gingerbread Men Cookies
(printable recipe at end of page)

5 cups Flour 
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 tablespoon ground Ginger
2 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 cup unsalted Butter, at room temperature
1 cup Sugar
3/4 cup unsulfured Molasses
1 Egg
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Royal Frosting
6 Ounces Warm Water
5 tablespoons Meringue Powder
1 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
2.25 pounds Confectioner's Sugar




Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
 Beat together the butter and sugar on medium for 2-3 minutes. Add the molasses, egg and vanilla. 
Using low speed, begin to add the flour a little at a time, just until mixed. The dough should be a little stiff and a bit sticky.
Split the dough in half, wrap in saran wrap and refrigerate for minimum of 1 hour, up to 1 day.
When you are ready to bake, take dough from refrigerator and let sit on the counter for approximately 10-15 minutes so it can soften. Roll out the dough on a cutting board or counter. I had the most success when I used the rolling pin shown. It has the cloth sleeve on it, which worked very well with the chilled dough. It rolled out nicely, and was easy to use with the rolling pin covered with the sleeve. 
To cook the gingerbread  man so he can hold the candy cane, roll up some parchment paper in a cylinder shape, place the paper on the area of the cookie, like above. Fold the dough in as if the dough is holding the paper. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes.
After baking, let the cookies cool, then carefully remove the paper from each cookie. Gently pull the paper from the cooked cookie. As you pull the paper, hold the turned arm to avoid it cracking. It may leave marks, but they will be covered by the candy cane.
 Insert candy cane.
Decorate your gingerbread man with the royal frosting! Find the recipe here!
Thank you for stopping by today, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!


 So many cookies, so little time! Find your favorite cookies, or discover some new ones, from the list below:

 To join us in celebrating #ChristmasCookiesWeek,
Nielsen-Massey Fine Vanillas and Flavors
is giving one winner a set of their pure flavors: 
2-oz each of Orange,  Lemon,Peppermint, Almond, Chocolate, Coffee, Rose Water, and Orange Blossom Water.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has been crafting the world’s finest vanillas and flavors since 1907. Each of Nielsen-Massey’s all-nature pure flavors are crafted with premium ingredients, sourced from around the world and chosen to meet the utmost quality standards. From lemon to peppermint to coffee or chocolate, Nielsen-Massey’s pure flavors offer convenience, quality and consistency to ensure your favorite recipes taste delicious every single time. All products are gluten-free, allergen-free, GMO-free, all-natural and Kosher.

Join the giveaway below:


Monday, December 5, 2016

Chocolate Mint Thumbprints/#christmascookies

There are so many flavors that say "Christmas"! Chocolate, orange,  peppermint, egg nog, just to name a few! Two of my favorites are chocolate and peppermint, so I wanted to share an old favorite cookie of mine, Chocolate Mint Thumbprints! When you read the recipe you will be surprised at how simple and easy these are to make. There is only one thing you need to remember. Make the dough the night before you want to bake these. You can also make the dough in the morning, and then bake when you get home in the evening. No matter when you bake the cookies, allow time for the dough to chill in the fridge for 6 hours or so. When it is time to bake, these cookies are quick. This recipe makes 3 dozen cookies.

Chocolate Mint Thumbprints 
(printable recipe at end of post)

6 squares Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate
3/4 cup Butter
1 cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 3/4 cups Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
5-6 Candy Canes, crushed

1. Microwave  the chocolate and butter together in a large bowl on high until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. 

2. Stir in sugar.

3. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing in each one before adding one.

4. Mix flour and baking powder together in a small bowl. 

5. Add flour mix to egg mix, and mix well.

6. Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 2 hours or overnight.

7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

8. Roll dough into 1" balls. Place on baking sheet.

9. Bake 10-12 minutes. Be careful to not over bake.

10. Immediately press in the center of the cookie and fill with crushed candy cane pieces. Let cool!

( For some reason, none of my how-to pictures turned out, but if you have  any questions, please email me at thefreshmancook@hotmail.com)


Don't forget to see all the others cookies baked for Day 5 of 12 Days of Christmas Cookies!!




   


      Welcome to the 12 Days of Cookies, hosted by Family Around the Table and Cooking With Carlee.  We will be filling the season with all kinds of delicious cookies.  Be sure to check out some of the recipes below or you can follow along on Facebook or Twitter by searching #ChristmasCookies.  We also have a 12 Days of Cookies Pinterest board where you can see all of the goodness!  May your holidays be sweet!

Day 5

Chocolate Mint Thumbrints from The Freshman Cook
Clint's Favorite Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies from Cooking With Carlee
Lemon Sprinkles from A Palatable Pastime
Mocha Drop Cookies from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Peanut Butter Truffle Cookies from Family Around the Table
Pebber Nodder from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Spritz Cookies from The Chef Next Door
Tender Italian Sugar Cookies from Jolene's Recipe Journal
print recipe

Chocolate Mint Thumbprints

prep time: 6 hour and 30 MINScook time: 10 MINStotal time: 6 hours and 40 mins

INGREDIENTS:

  • 6 squares Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate
  • 3/4 cup Butter
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups Flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 5-6 Candy Canes, crushed

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Microwave the chocolate and butter together in a large bowl on high until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
  2. Stir in sugar.
  3. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing in each one before adding one.
  4. Mix flour and baking powder together in a small bowl.
  5. Add flour mix to egg mix, and mix well.
  6. Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  8. Roll dough into 1" balls. Place on baking sheet.
  9. Bake 10-12 minutes. Be careful to not over bake.
  10. Immediately press in the center of the cookie and fill with crushed candy cane pieces. Let cool!
Created using The Recipes Generator

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Mittens and Hats Sugar Cookies/ #FBCookieSwap

I love Christmas cookies, so when it comes time for the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap every holiday season, I am definitely in! This year I sent my three secret bloggers my Mittens and Hats Sugar Cookies. This sugar cookie recipe is one of my favorites! It is not difficult to make, but the decorating does take some time. If you are looking for a special sugar cookie recipe, this is the one!

The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap is more than just a cookie swap. We raise money to donate to Cookies for Kids Cancer, and we work with some wonderful sponsors. This year our sponsors are Dixie Crystals, Land 'O Lakes, and OXO! Isn't that a great list?! Thank you to all of the wonderful sponsors!
sugar cookie, decorated cookie, holiday cookie, winter cookie
 Mittens and Hats Sugar Cookies

Monday, December 15, 2014

Gingerbread Man Cookies

It is time for The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap reveal. I always have fun participating in this holiday group. I send a dozen cookies to three different bakers. Three bakers send a dozen cookies to me! It is always fun to see and taste what cookies represent the holidays to others. I also love the fact that this group donates to Cookies For Kids Cancer with help from our sponsors! Such a great cause.
This is the fourth year I have taken  part in the cookie swap, so it is kind of the becoming a tradition for me. Which is how I ended up making gingerbread man cookies. Traditions are every where at this time of year, so I decided to go traditional with my cookies.  So I mixed 'em up, rolled 'em out, gave them eyes and a mouth, and fancied them up a bit with a bow tie, because you should dress for the holidays!