Christmas Cookie Time

Who loves Christmas cookies? I know I do! This recipe for basic cookie dough lets you make three festive, giftable cookies from just one basic dough recipe. These cookies are great for a cookie swap, gifts for neighbors and friends and filling your own cookie jar!

HOLIDAY MAGIC

CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Makes about 6 dozen cookies

Base Dough:

3 cups powdered sugar

2 cups butter, softened

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

Frosted Almond Cookies:

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 cup powdered sugar

3-4 Tbsp heavy cream

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Heart Thumbprint Cookies:

2 Tbsp fresh lemon or orange juice

1/2 cup raspberry jam

Holiday Hugs Cookies:

6-8 drops of red food coloring

20-30 chocolate “hugs” or “kisses”

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs, flour and baking powder together until a slightly crumbly dough forms. Split the dough into 3 equal parts.

Frosted Almond Cookies

1. To the first batch of dough, add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and 1 Tbsp lemon juice. Mix well. Form dough into 1” balls, place on a baking sheet. Bake 7-9 minutes, or until the cookies are set and bottoms begin to turn golden brown.

2. For Almond Icing: In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup powdered sugar, 3-4 Tbsp heavy cream and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. Drizzle icing over warm cookies, add sprinkles if desired. Allow icing to set before serving.

Heart Thumbprint Cookies

1. To the second batch of dough, add 2 Tbsp fresh lemon or orange juice. Mix well. Form dough into 1” balls, pressing each down to create 1/2” thick round discs. Place cookies on a baking sheet.

2. Press thumbs or the edge of a butter knife into the center of each cookie, imprinting to form a “heart.” Fill each heart with a small amount of raspberry jam, gently guiding the jam into the shape of a heart.

3. Bake for 7-9 minutes or until the bottom of the cookies begin to turn a light golden brown. Cool before serving.

Holiday Hugs Cookies

1. To the third batch of dough, add red food coloring, mixing well until the dough is bright red. Roll into 1” balls and place on a baking sheet.

2. Cook for 7-9 minutes, or just until cookies are set. As soon as cookies are out of the oven, press a candy “hug” or candy cane “kiss” into the center of each cookie. Allow to cool completely before serving.