Cookie Time !

For me, it's not Christmas unless I am making cookies.  The last few years we were traveling over Christmas and I did not make cookies.  I love making cookies...reminds me of my childhood as my mother made TONS of cookies - all different kinds.  This year we are home for Christmas and leaving for a trip a few days later. So...we needed cookies.  I like to have them on hand for tea time and enjoy giving them as gifts.  While I did not make as many as I used to do, four cookies are done and in the freezer.  Luckily I have an upright freezer in our laundry room and I have found over the years that if I freeze the cookies right after they cool they freeze beautifully...and defrost in a few minutes on plate while you make tea or coffee. 

So...here's what I made this weekend - 

First up...my mom's sugar cookies.  I usually use some heart healthy product but because we don't plan on eating that many, I used butter - as the original recipe calls for...then lining up all the sprinkles for John to get decorating.

He does an amazing job..."some artists work in oils, some in water color, some in pastels...John's medium is SPRINKLES!"

He does an amazing job...the trees are so beautiful and he makes sure that every reindeer is a Rudolph.

This recipe makes a lot of cookies...and they turned out great.  I thought that they "spread" a little more using butter instead of Smart Balance, but they look good and taste great.

Next was a batch of chocolate chips - during the holidays I substitute red/green M&Ms for the chips.  The first batch spread out too thin - I think because of the butter.  So, I made another batch with Smart Balance and they turned out great.

I use a little cookie scooper to make the cookies all almost the same size.

Next up - gingerbread!

Our home smells SO good when the gingerbread is baking!

Once they cool I just decorate with a little icing.

The last - and most time consuming cookie - are the snowmen!

I first found the recipe for these cookies in a magazine in 1986!  I have been making them almost every year since then.  Everyone loves them - and they are so delicious with cream cheese in the dough.  You can find the recipe and how to make them here - 

Snowmen Cookies

That's it for my cookies this year...though, knowing me I will probably make another batch of chocolate chips and maybe try another recipe if I have time. 

Are you a Christmas Cookie Baker ?  What is your favorite cookie to bake ?  Do you give them as gifts?

I would love to hear your recipes and ideas - please leave a comment below.  Until then, enjoy the magic of December !

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