Holiday Cookie Recipes!

When I was young I never understood why Mom would bake for 3 days...only to put everything in the freezer! The past couple years since we've moved back to Halifax and had "our own" Christmas' I'm finally starting to understand. Every year I think I add another recipe, this year I'm on the hunt for a good gumdrop cake...myyyy faaavvv! But for now I will share these 2 recipes that are made every year in our house....For the freezer!

Charlee's First Gingerbread House

Whipped Shortbread

Whip: to take, pull, snatch, jerk, or otherwise move very quickly and forcefully  (merriam-webster dictionary)

1 c Butter...the real stuff, no substitutes.

1 1/2 c- 2 c flour

1/2 c Icing Sugar

12 cherries (the pretty jar kind) for the tops. (Optional)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

• Whip your butter for 2 minutes, until its light and smooth.
• Add remaining ingredients and whip for anoter 12 minutes, in a mixer or with hand mixer.
• Pipe, or drop by small spoonfuls onto a greased or lined cookie sheet. Put a small piece of cherry on top for decor, optional of course
• Bake until golden all over; about 15-18 minutes depending on your cookie size.

Every year for the past 20+ years there has been a Gingerbread house decorated by me or for me by my mom (spoiled I know) And I have started the same tradition with Charlee. :)

Charlee's First Christmas, and first gingerbread house.

Its such a great tradition and a classic decoration, yummy too! So here is the recipe for Gingerbread that we use to make our houses. Also here's a link for a printable Gingerbread House Template, to get you on the right track!

Gingerbread

works perfectly for cookies too!

1/2 c margarine
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c molasses
1 egg yolk

Cream together then add...

2 c flour (might need a little more or a little less)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix until combined. Form into a ball, cover with saran wrap and cool for 1 hour.

Roll out on a floured surface to 1/4" and cut out your house pattern, or cookies. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

*TIP* If you are making a house cook the pieces a little longer, and leave the pieces sit for 2-3 days before trying to assemble, to be sure they are good a hard. Put together using royal icing, we have always used the stuff with the raw egg white and Im still alive...so here is my recipe.

Royal Icing

1 egg white, beaten

1 tsp lemon juice

1 1/2 c Icing Sugar

What are your favorite Holiday Cookie Recipes?