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

[ducklite]

Woot! Have to go through my cookbooks this week and make sure I've got all the ingredients I need, and then start baking up a storm!

I have about a dozen people I like to give a little something to over the holidays--not a "gift" per se, but just something, and I make beautiful platters of Christmas cookies for them. Most are guys who are single and don't have a SO in their life--or not one that cooks anyhow, but that's a different thread --and they so appreciate them.

I got a new cookie press for Christmas last year, so I see a lot of spritz cookies on the horizon this year.

 

[wdwmom2]

I was just thinking about making cookies yesterday. I need to figure out what to make. The peanut butter blossums, the ones with the hershey kiss in the middle, were gone long before Santa made it here. Guess I will have to make extra ones!

I used to hate making hordes of cookies. My Kitchenaid stand mixer makes the job sooo much more pleasant!!!

Happy baking everyone!!!!

 

[golfgal]

Woot! Have to go through my cookbooks this week and make sure I've got all the ingredients I need, and then start baking up a storm!

I have about a dozen people I like to give a little something to over the holidays--not a "gift" per se, but just something, and I make beautiful platters of Christmas cookies for them. Most are guys who are single and don't have a SO in their life--or not one that cooks anyhow, but that's a different thread --and they so appreciate them.

I got a new cookie press for Christmas last year, so I see a lot of spritz cookies on the horizon this year.

Um, no offense but why does the SO have to cook for them? Can't they make their own cookies???? I love that you do this for people but not everyone enjoys baking--Me being one of them. DH does all of our baking--he loves it. I was just putting in my Christmas cookie requests about an hour ago!

 

[ducklite]

Um, no offense but why does the SO have to cook for them? Can't they make their own cookies???? I love that you do this for people but not everyone enjoys baking--Me being one of them. DH does all of our baking--he loves it. I was just putting in my Christmas cookie requests about an hour ago!

When the wife is home all day, doesn't work outisde the house, and does no housework or cooking while her husband works two jobs to make ends meet, you betcha she should get off her lazy butt and make him not only dinner but some Christmas cookies. If she doesn't get her act together in the next couple months she's going to be on the street anyhow, her DH has about had it.

 

[GJM]

I can't wait to start either. It started out as making cookies for one neighbor and has since grown.

I like to give just a little something so I got really cute trays and will put cookies on them. Plus I got my new Kitchen Aid mixer when someone mention the great deal from Lowes'! No hand mixing this year.

I may also try to make fudge, I found a receipe and it seems really easy.

If anyone has any great cookie receipe's please post them, I am always looking for something new & easy!

Enjoy!

 

[disneynutt1225]

I'm looking forward to starting, but I have no idea when I'm going to start! With WDW coming up next week, and then DH being home until the 12th, I don't really want to spend my time with him baking. So I'll probably start after he leaves and then do a little bit every day after work and on the weekend.

Since I got my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer, baking has been so easy! I'd say it cuts my time in at least half.

 

[bettyann29]

I think Im going to try doing cookies this year... I bought a nice cookie press 2 years ago and havent used it yet but I think this is the year Im gonna do it..

DMIL always made wonderful cookies.. she would buy these gorgeous plates or baskets and make bunches of holiday cookies and then put them on the plate or in the basket and then wrap them with cellophane christmas paper and put these pretty bows on them.. I always enjoyed these.. she made tons of them and gave them to her coworkers, the mailman, etc.. but then she moved to Florida and I dont get them anymore.. Ok Im over it now.. so I guess I have to make my own..

 

[dg39]

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.

 

[MM27]

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.

 

[sheilarose2]

When you start making cookies this early do you just freeze them until you get ready to give them? I want to start also but I have never froze my cookies and worried that they will not taste as good.

 

[BratTink]

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

 

[Stephanie218]

Can't wait to start baking either!! I picked up a bunch of cookie cutters/sprinkles at Michael's yesterday. I'm making little packages for each of the 24 Marines that work under my fiancee in the supply shop.

What do you tend to put the cookies in to give them to people? My mom used to do baskets or tins, but after looking at prices at Michaels, $2 x 24 Marines gets expensive for tins pretty fast!! I was going to do a mini loaf of bread and a bunch of cookies for each of them. I have a really good Andes Chocolate Cookie recipe....will have to find it and come back and post later!

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

When you start making cookies this early do you just freeze them until you get ready to give them? I want to start also but I have never froze my cookies and worried that they will not taste as good.

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

I have the same questions and this thread seems to be the perfect place to ask them.

Do I make the dough first then freeze it, and thaw it for later when I'm ready to bake the cookies? Do I make all the cookies up now (dough, bake, decorate) and freeze them, then thaw them later?
Even for people like me that use the sugar cookie mix out of a bag and "decorate" them w/frosting made of only powdered sugar and milk......... Or just plain old Nestle chocolate chip cookies?

 

[ducklite]

I work on the freezable ones first, and freeze them (sugar cookies and such). Then I work on the ones that don't go stale for quite some time as long as you keep them tightly wrapped in plastic (like ginergerbread men and window cookies and shortbreads with jam or candied centers.) Then last but not least I work on the ones that really need to be fresh and decorate everything, and make a last batch of gingerbread for the soft gingerbread rolled in a glaze--I can't remember what they are called.

 

[mookie]

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.

 

[golfgal]

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.

Dh had DS15 cracking eggs one handed by the time he was 2--every cookie recipe is kid friendly. Chocolate chip are usually the most popular. Our kids like helping with the Hershey Kiss ones--they like to unwrap them which works out great because DH hates to do that.

DH is making the Hershey kiss ones for us tonight!!

 

[ceiligh1]

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.

My two year old son and I made thumb print cookies yesterday. He likes to roll the dough into balls and then stick his finger into them. Most cookies are kid friendly. He likes to turn the food processor on and off and hand me things. We are going to make cookies together and freeze them next weekend for his grandparents. It will be his gift to them.

 

[ducklite]

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.

The ones that don't need to be cut out and don't ahve a batter like cement mortar. Sugar cookies with a Hersey's Kiss in the center come right to mind as a really kid friendly (to make) cookie.

 

[princessesrule4]

If anyone needssome new recipes to try , there is a thread on the Budget Board called "Easy Christmas Treats". Sorry, don't know how to link! I've made a bunch of them and they are great!

 

[malibuconlee]

The ones that don't need to be cut out and don't ahve a batter like cement mortar. Sugar cookies with a Hersey's Kiss in the center come right to mind as a really kid friendly (to make) cookie.

When we were little we loved making the rollout cookies. Mom and the aunts would roll them out and we would press the cutters into the dough.

Then we would help with the frosting and sprinkles. I have some great pics of us doing them as kids!!