I’m going to make a holiday confession: I lack skills in the kitchen. It takes a lot for me to get excited enough about a recipe to clang through my pots and pans cupboard and lace up the ole’ apron. Christmas cookies are such an occasion. Here are a few “must have” Christmas cookie recipes.

Kolaches

My mom used to make these when I was growing up and if you catch her on a good day, you can still talk her into whipping up a batch. Mom makes her kolaches from an old Polish family recipe. I found this recipe on Cooks.com for Jam Kolaches that resembles Mom’s though. I highly recommend using apricot jam for the filling — yum! This recipe makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 3-oz package cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup strawberry jam (apricot!)
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Blend butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl until fluffy. Add in flour and mix thoroughly. Roll the dough into an 1/8-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out dough with a 2-inch round cutter and place about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Spoon 1/4 teaspoon of the jam on each cookie. Fold opposite sides together, slightly overlapping edges. Bake at 375 F for 15 minutes. After kolaches have cooled, sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.

Cutout Christmas Cookies

Who doesn’t love making cutout Christmas cookies with the kids? Sure it can get a little messy, but just a taste of this cookie dough makes the whole process worthwhile. I found this recipe on the website for the Food Network.

Photo via Tasteofhome.com

Ingredients for cookies:
4 cups sifted flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup butter (approx. 1-1/2 sticks)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Ingredients for colored icing:
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1-1/2 tablespoons water
3 or 4 drop of food coloring
Sprinkles

Preheat over to 350 F. Stir flour and baking powder together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add the flour mixture in small amounts until the dough is thick. Chill the dough (I added this). Roll out a portion of the dough, about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters and place each cookie on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for about ten minutes, or until lightly golden. Cool completely before proceeding to decorating.

In a small bowl, mix sugar and water for icing to form a thick, smooth texture. Stir in food coloring until you reach the desired shade. Drop icing onto cookies with a teaspoon and smooth across the cookie. Add sprinkles before the icing dries.

Peanut Butter Cookies

I was always told that Santa likes peanut butter cookies the best. Hmmmm. Well if that’s true, then my kids are more than welcome to leave some of these classic cookies out for the big guy (who may be eating for two this year) on Christmas Eve. If you plan to give away your baked goods, be cautious with peanut butter cookies as many people have severe peanut allergies. Just consider that your bit of free holiday advice. You’re welcome. If peanut allergies aren’t an obstacle, try out this recipe from Joy of Baking.

Photo via BigOven.com

Ingredients:
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy, your choice)
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped peanuts or chocolate chips

Preheat over to 350 F. Line two cookie sheets with wax paper. In a bowl, beat the butter and both sugars until fluffy. Beat in the peanut butter. Add in the egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the peanut butter mixture and blend thoroughly. Fold in the peanuts or chocolate chips. If batter seems too soft, let it chill for about an hour before rolling into balls.

Roll the batter into 1-inch balls. Drop onto the cookie sheets and press down with a fork, in a crisscross pattern. Bake for ten to twelve minutes or until the cookies are lightly brown. Remove from the oven and place on wire rack to cool. Can be stored at room temperature. Makes about 40 cookies.

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Category: Christmas

Tags: Christmas