Does your family make cookies for Christmas? The family I grew up in never had that tradition, but in my husband’s family, cookies are a BIG deal at Christmas. My amazing mother-in-law makes around 40 dozen cookies every year. No joke. And Christmas cookies are special… the recipes are only made at Christmas and everyone has their favorite variety that they beg for.
This year, since we are spending Christmas with my family, my husband asked my mom if he could make cookies at her house. And that’s when I realized how important cookies are to my husband at Christmastime. And that means I need to start building a collection of cookies for when I am the one making 40 dozen cookies.
So I tried a new cookie recipe and it was fabulous. They look so fancy and hard to make, but they are easy. I love recipes like that—they trick people in to thinking I am an amazing cook. haha.
I found the recipe at Our Italian Kitchen via Pinterest. She gave clear, precise directions with pictures. Gotta love that. I definitely won’t try to rewrite her awesome instructions. But here’s my two cents about the recipe:
I rolled the dough out between pieces of plastic wrap sprinkled with powdered sugar because I didn’t have wax paper. I stuck the dough in the freezer to chill so it only took about 25 minutes the first time and 15 minutes the second time. The dough was surprisingly easy to work with, but I did add a little extra flour. I love that it’s a slice and bake cookie…makes it so much easier than roll-out cookies. The recipe does not make a ton… I only got 22. The biggest surprise for me was that the finished cookie is not a soft sugar cookie, but more of a butter cookie and it’s not uber-sweet. Next time I may add more vanilla, orange peel or a dash of cinnamon just to add more flavor.
I am very happy with this recipe and I think it wins a spot in my Christmas cookie line up. I took them to a church Christmas party and they were the first dessert on the buffet table to disappear! That’s always a good sign.
Any suggestions for must-make Christmas cookies? What cookies are traditions in your family?
Comments & Reviews
Megan says
I always have to make "russian tea cakes". They are my mom's favorite.
I love your cookies!
megan
craftycpa.blogspot.com
Our Italian Kitchen says
Aw Yay! I'm so glad they came out well and you loved them! The pink coloring with the large sprinkles look awesome! I think yours look better than mine! Merry Christmas!
Jennifer from The Craft Patch says
Megan-
I love Russian Tea Cakes! I learned how to make them in Home Ec. years ago. And I think they are the perfect cookie for Christmastime because they look like little snowballs. Unfortunately, my husband doesn't like nuts. Guess that means I get to eat ALL of them!
charlotte says
cookies are big at our house too! I'd have to say I'm in full panic mode because I have not started baking yet. We like our cut out cookies and a molasses kind too.
Jennifer from The Craft Patch says
Charlotte,
I am in full panic mode too—two weeks and I still have several enormous handmade gifts to make. EEK! I haven't even started thinking about baking yet!
My sister-in-law has a great gingerbread cookie recipe. They are so soft and chewy. Ahh…. yum! That would be a good cookie to make! Thanks for the comment!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Those are beautiful! I love the Christmas cookie tradition. We certainly have our "only at Christmas" ones too! I would love for you to join my linky, Crazy Sweet Tuesday, sometime! 🙂