I Can't wait Until Next Weekend--Christmas Baking Will Begin!

[torismom]

I'm starting my baking next week also. I bought some/most of the ingredients and I found such cute Sants head tins to put the cookies in. I also make struffola's and have my big red plates and celophane all ready. My limoncello should be ready in 1 1/2 weeks, and I'm all ready for that too.

How did you make your limoncello? I love this stuff!!!

 

[mrsstats]

My sil, who is not the best cook in the world, makes her cookies on Veterans Day. She doesnt freeze them but stores them in the garage. She makes spritz cookies & linzer tarts. Should they be ok at Christmas???

 

[ducklite]

My sil, who is not the best cook in the world, makes her cookies on Veterans Day. She doesnt freeze them but stores them in the garage. She makes spritz cookies & linzer tarts. Should they be ok at Christmas???

Um...

I wouldn't eat them.

 

[Imzadi]

Anyone have good cookie recipies to make with young kids? My dd is 4, and I know she'd love to help. I'm sure all cookies are kids friendly, I just didn't know if some are better than others.

Try my own favorite thread for cookies is:
Cookies from cake mixes! Super Easy!

With a simple yellow cake mix, the kids can get creative adding in their own combinations items, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, nuts, m&ms, crushed candies, sprinkles, etc. They don't even have to make a whole batch of the same cookies. Just separate the dough into different bowls & play with the add-ins, making a few of each cookie. This way they have fun with the making of the various combinations.

I think I am going to make a gingerbread house next weekend. I made my first one last year and it took me about 8 hours to get the whole thing together, but it was fun.

There is also an easy cake mix recipe there for a gingerbread house at the link above.

I'm curious too how you keep the cookies fresh? My choc chip go stale after 3 days???

Add a slice of fresh bread in with your container of cookies. It keeps them soft & moist.

 

[CEDmom]

I'll be baking/candy making later this week for our Church's Christmas bazaar. I make homemade caramel (got the recipe from a DISer ) and dip pretzels rods in it and then into melted chocolate. Sugar cookie pops (oversized cookies on lolly pop sticks) and candy cane kisses (chocolate cookies with a Hershey candy cane kiss on top).

I'll make a few more batches of the chocolate caramel pretzels a little closer to Christmas for neighbors and friends.

 

[jennyf917]

I bought a new cookie plate yesterday, so I have to fill it up! Right now I'm baking peppermint brownies. I have the easiest and best brownie recipe ever and I like to play around and add things to it. Sometime this week I'll make butter cookies and thumbprints using a recipe I saw in Good Housekeeping. I don't have a stand mixer, but I love to bake and DS will more than likely love helping me.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I appreciate all those who bake. I'd appreciate it even more if you'd send me a platter of cookies! =)

I love to cook but hate hate hate baking. I attempt it every year and every year get ticked off and throw most of it away. This year I refuse to attempt it and will just hope someone will pass some homebaked goodness our way... and if not, Betty Crocker makes a mean brownie!

 

[Katy Belle]

This is my favorite, favorite cookie! Unfortunately I usually eat most of them before we get them iced! The recipe is from my friend Martha, Stewart that is

I'm hoping to mix up the dough Thursday and get the kids to help me bake and decorate Friday!

Katy

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Basic Gingerbread Cookies

Note: When making very large cookies, use two spatulas to transfer cutout dough to baking sheets, or roll dough directly onto the baking sheet. Press cutter into the dough, and remove the excess before taking away the cutter.
Ingredients
Makes about twenty-four 6-inch gingerbread people
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup dark-brown sugar, packed
4 teaspoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 large eggs
1 cup unsulfured molasses
Currants
Royal Icing

Directions
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in spices and salt, then eggs and molasses. Add flour mixture; combine on low speed. Divide dough in thirds, and wrap in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with Silpats (a French nonstick baking mat). Set aside. On a lightly floured work surface, roll dough 1/8-inch thick. Cut into gingerbread people shapes. Transfer to prepared baking sheets.
Cut out desired decorations and place on cookies. Press currants into dough to create eyes and buttons. To create hair, roll a piece of dough into a ball and pass through a clean garlic press. Attach hair to heads. Bake until crisp, but not darkened for about 20 minutes. Let cookies cool on wire racks.
Decorate with royal icing