Christmas Cookies Exchange

31 Oct 2013

Yes, I know evil5

It's Hallow Eve, but Christmas is just two months away. I'm thinking we could do Christmas Cookies or any kind of cookies Exchange. Just post your favorite cookies recipes here to share.

Here is one of my favorite cookies recipes ...

Rum Fruitcake Cookies
1 c sugar
3/4 c shortening
3 large eggs
1/3 c orange juice
1 Tbsp rum extract
3 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 c (8 oz) candied fruit
1 c raisins
1 c nuts, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven 375*. Lightly grease cookie sheets and set aside. Beat sugar and shortening in large bowl until fluffy. Add eggs, orange juice and rum; beat 2 minutes longer.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Add fruit, raisins and nuts. Stir into creamed mixture. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden. Let cookies stand on cookie sheet 2 minutes. Remove to wire rack; cool completely. Makes about 6 dozen.

3 Nov 2013

Macadamia, white chocolate and raspberry cookies

Ingredients
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup raspberry jam
1 egg
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped macadamia nuts
8 ounces white chocolate, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
Cream butter and sugars.
Add egg and beat in.
Add vanilla and raspberry jam.
Mix well.
Mix together flour and baking soda.
Gradually add flour mixture to batter.
Stir in nuts and chips.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8 - 10 minutes.
Don't overbake.
Cool on racks.

(http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/10162/macadamia-raspberry-white-chocolate-cookies)

12 Nov 2013

These are so easy yet so good. You have to drag me by the ear away from a tray of them.

Oreo Bombs

INGREDIENTS:
1 package of Oreo cookies
4-6 ounces of softened cream cheese
white chocolate (I used 1 bar plus some leftover white chocolate chips)
DIRECTIONS:
Crush Oreos using a food processor, mini-chopper, or with a freezer bag and rolling pin.
Set aside Oreo crumbs; reserve a bit for topping.
Mix crumbs with softened cream cheese.
Roll into 1 inch balls. Set on cookie tray. Put in freezer for about 10 minutes.
Melt chocolate in double boiler or microwave per directions.
Dip cookies. Set on cookie tray covered in wax paper. Used reserved crumbs to garnish top of cookie.
Place tray in freezer to allow cookie to set.

12 Nov 2013

Not a cookie, but Peppermint Bark is one of my Holiday faves. I posted this in the Food Style thread over in the En-Vogue forum, but now I'm posting it here. If you've ever had the Ghiradelli version, this tastes exactly like it (better actually, in my opinion). I don't just make it at Christmas time...I make it anytime I'm craving it enough. Embarassed

Shop List:
12 oz. quality white chocolate, finely chopped
30 red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies, coarsely crushed (about 6 ounces)
12 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 Teaspoon peppermint extract

Kitchen Tools:
Measuring cup
Rubber spatula
Sharp knife
Aluminum foil
Cookie sheet
Bowl
Sauce pan

Note: This recipe makes around 1-1/2 pounds.

Seems a little intimidating, but it's actually pretty easy.
Here's the recipe.

"What is the quality of your intent?" - Thurgood Marshall

12 Nov 2013

Here's another I posted in the Food Style thread. It is by far my most requested cookie by family and friends year-round...especially around Christmas.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookies:

Here's the recipe.

They're festive enough on their own, but sometimes I dye the white chocolate green for the drizzle on top. I dye it blue for the 4th of July...it looks really great with the red cookie and white center.

Sidenote: When dying chocolate, use a powdered or oil-based food coloring, otherwise the dye will separate from the chocolate and ruin the consistency of the chocolate, destroying your entire batch.

"What is the quality of your intent?" - Thurgood Marshall

17 Nov 2013

Cornflake Christmas Wreaths

These are really easy, very festive and cute and you really can't screw them up, they are pretty much the same idea as rice crispy treats. I make them every year.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
4 cups miniature marshmallows
1 teaspoon green food coloring
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups cornflakes cereal
1 (2.25 ounce) package cinnamon red hot candies

Directions:

In a saucepan over low heat, melt together the marshmallows, butter, vanilla, and food coloring. Mix in the cornflakes cereal.
Drop by spoonfuls on wax paper, and decorate with red hots. Set aside, and allow to cool.