Cubby's Christmas Cookie Extravaganza

Admittedly I may be the world's worst cook, but when it comes to Christmas cookies my kids shall know of the powerful magic in this world that Christmas brings: because I will bake myself out of house and home. I fill every single available counter space in my house with delicious sweets already for Santa Claus to come down the chimney and sample. This year Noah was able to bake up a minor cookie storm with me and we had a blast!!!!!

Of course, I would be nothing without the powerful help of family recipes, which of course I'm going to share with you today! Cubby and I had an absolute blast, we cranked up the Christmas music and baked all day!!

Aunt Mary's Sugar Cookies

• 1 1/2 cup sifted powered sugar
• 1 cup of butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon almond flavor extract
• 2 1/2 cups of flour
• 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar

Alright now that you have the ingredients:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Cream the sugar and the butter
3. Add the egg and flavors
4. Blend in dry ingredients
5. Refrigerate 2-3 hours
6. Divide dough in two; roll out one half and cut with cookie cutters {makes about 5 dozen}
7. Bake for 7-8 minutes until golden brown

Mom Baking Tip #237: give your kiddo a wooden spatula so that they can be included in the process and keep them occupied. Noah was well contented to chill in his bumbo, chomp on his spoon and growl at the mixer.

Italian Butter Cookies

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup of sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

1. Stir together dry ingredients in one bowl
2. cream together the wet ingredients in another bowl
3. Mix both together until it becomes a smooth dough
4. Put in cookie press and press onto cookie sheet
5. Bake at 325 degrees for 10-12 minutes
6. Ice with powder sugar and milk icing, decorate with sprinkles as desired

#praisebabyJesus

Peppermint Chocolate Puffs

• 1 1/2 sticks of butter
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1 egg {separated}
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring
• 2 cups sifted flour
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy {7 candy canes}
• Chocolate chips

1. Cream butter and 1/4 cup of sugar throughly. 
2. Stir in egg yolk, vanilla and peppermint flavoring
3. Add flour gradually 1/4 cup at a time.
4. Stir in candy
5. Roll into one inch balls
6. Dip balls into egg white an roll into sugar
7. Place chocolate chip in center of cookie
8. Bake on ungreased baking sheet in 350 degree oven  for 15 minutes
9. Remove from sheet immediately 
10. Place on rack to cool

Ok, besides traditional sugar cookies, the peppermint chocolate puffs are my absolute weakness! 

And so our first batch of cookies became a success and I cannot wait to have little man help decorate the sugar cookies, and set them out Christmas Eve for Santa!! Happy baking!