Easy Christmas Cookies with Traditional Taste

Traditional Christmas cookie recipes can be guarded secrets in some families. Perhaps there is just one small ingredient that changes the taste slightly if left out or if not followed exactly with a certain step. Christmas cookies are a wonderful time to embrace tradition with a modern edge.

One of these traditions is thumbprint cookies. Combine ¼ cup each of packed brown sugar, shortening and softened butter with ½ teaspoon vanilla and 1 egg yolk (reserve the white). Stir in a cup of flour, ¼ teaspoon salt and make into a stiff dough. Shape into one inch balls. Slightly beat the egg white and dip each ball into the egg white then roll in ¾ cup finely chopped nuts. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and make a thumb impression in each before baking at 350F for 10 minutes. Remove immediately to cool and fill the thumbprints with frosting or jelly.

Another Christmas tradition is gingersnaps which have many variations. A good basic cookie can be made mixing a cup of packed brown sugar with ¾ cup shortening and ¼ cup molasses. Add 1 egg, mixed in thoroughly. Stir in 2 ½ cups all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon each ground cinnamon and ground ginger, ½ teaspoon ground cloves and ¼ teaspoon salt. Form into rounded teaspoon sized balls dip in sugar and gently flatten with a flat bottomed glass. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes until set then remove from cookie sheet to cool.

Sugar cookies were a Christmas favorite with frosting and cut into shapes. Combine 1/3 cup butter and 1/3 cup shortening with a mixer on high for about a half minute. Add a cup of all purpose flour, 1 egg, ¾ cup sugar, a tablespoon milk, a teaspoon each of baking powder and vanilla and a dash of salt. Divide dough in half and chill, covered, for 3 hours. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out half the dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters and sprinkle with sugar, sugar-cinnamon or colored sugar or leave as is to frost after baking. Bake at 375F for 7-8 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms very light brown. Cool on a rack. Powdered sugar icing frosts these nicely.

Cookies and Christmas go together with tradition. Homemade cookies do not take a great amount of time and are so much fresher than store bought! Make some cookies this year. Make some memories!