The first fine dusting of fluffy white snow always puts me in the mood for baking Christmas cookies. At this time of year I tend to spend longer in the kitchen, baking, playing to massive batches of cookies and candies as holiday music and movies in the background. I love it and have always loved the taste and smells that come from a kitchen filled with love at Christmas. Here are two of my recipes for traditional Christmas sweets favorites.

Gingerbread
6 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup shortening, melted and cooled
1 cup molasses
1 cup brown sugar
1 / 2 cup water
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, sift the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon). In a large bowl, mix the shortening, molasses, brown sugar, water, egg and vanilla. Mix well. Add the dry ingredients mixture slowly and mix well. to make the dough into 3 parts, in pieces, no larger than 1 1 / 2 inch thick, wrap in the refrigerator for 3 or more hours. The dough (about 1 / 4 inch thick) on a lightly floured surface and cut them into shapes (smaller shapes work best with this dough). Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Frost with powdered sugar icing (milk or cream and powdered sugar). Word of warning on this recipe, it makes a huge batch so I have a lot of family and friends to share this hope.

Sugar Cookies (roll-out)
3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 / 2 teaspoon salt
1 1 / 2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup soft butter
1 beaten egg
3 tablespoons cream
1 teaspoon vanilla sugar

Combine softened butter and sugar until creamy. Add in egg, cream and vanilla. Sift together flour, salt and baking powder and add it to the liquid mixture. Chill for at least an hour. Roll out to about 1 / 4 inch thick slice on a lightly floured work surface and place them in your favorite Christmas cookie shapes. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes. If desired, red and green sprinkles on top of the cookies set before them in the oven. If you prefer to bake it would be a family project, the cookies, let cool, and a powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar and milk). Divide the icing into several bowls and tint with food coloring and him. Sprinkles, chocolate chips, Red Hots, and mini-M & Ms can help add fun to the frosting process.


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