by Connor Laughland

Created on: February 22, 2009   Last Updated: February 23, 2009

I have found the best recipes for Christmas gifts due its texture, dependability in storage, and the overall delightful flavors that accompanies them. This last christmas I thought I'd venture into an all out cookie making bonanza so I tried out about 5 different cookies and these were the best I could find. They provide a variety while still keeping them simple.

Melting Moments, Makes about 36

1 cup flour, all-purpose - unsifted 1/2 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup powdered sugar 3/4 cup butter - softened 1 teaspoon vanilla cream cheese frosting (optional)

In bowl stir together first 3 ingredients. In large bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat butter until smooth. Beat in flour mixture and vanilla until well blended. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 325 F.

Shape into 1-inch balls. Place about 1 1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet; flatten with a lightly floured fork.

Bake for 15 minutes or until bottom is light golden brown.

Frost with cream cheese frosting.

Chocolate Drop Quickies

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 cup milk

3 cups quick cooking oats

1/2 cup chopped nuts

1 tsp vanilla

Mix sugar, butter, cocoa and milk in saucepan. Bring to boil quickly. Reduce heat to medium and boil 3-4 mins or until a little dropped into cold water forms a soft ball (234 degrees).

Remove from heat; stir in oats, nuts and vanilla.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper; let stand until hardened. Store in refrigerator, if desired.

Makes about 3 doz. cookies.

These heve actually become my families traidtional christmas cookie although this isn't the exact recipe, it's close enough for the wanted outcome.

Wilton Spritz Cookies

Tools:

Large mixing bowl Spritz Cookie Press Set

"14" x 20 Jumbo Aluminum Cookie Sheet Cooling Grid

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups butter or margarine

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon no-color almond extract

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

Makes: Makes 6 dozen cookies.

instructions
Preheat oven to 400 F.
Thoroughly cream butter and sugar. Add egg, milk, vanilla and almond extract; beat well. Stir together flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing to make a smooth dough. Do not chill.
Place dough into Wilton Spritz Cookie Press and press cookies onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown on bottom.
Remove cookies from sheet and cool on Wilton Non-Stick Cooling Grid.

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