Christmas Cookies

Yesterday my mom and I got together to bake Christmas cookies. Something about cookies you only make once a year really makes it feel like Christmas. Granted I put most of mine in the freezer so I will have them for next week's cookie swap and for Christmas week. This is one of our favorite Christmas cookies. They are a great with a cup of coffee!


Ribbon Cookies

1 c softened butter
1 1/2 c sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 salt
1/4 c diced red candied cherries
1/3 c chocolate chips melted
1/4 c pecans, chopped
1/4 c diced green candied cherries

Line bottom and sides of a 9x5 loaf pan with foil. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Dough will be stiff.
Divide dough into thirds (about 1 c each). Add red cherries to 1/3 and press into pan. Add chocolate and nuts to 1/3 and press over cherry layer. Add green cherries to 1/3 and press over chocolate layer. Cover and chill 3 hrs.
Invert pan and cut in half lengthwise. Cut each section into 1/8 in slices. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on ungreased pan. Bake 350 for 10-12 min.



Ok, that is the recipe but of course recipes are only guidelines so this isn't exactly how we make them. Here are our adaptations.
#1 Dividing the dough into 3 parts is a pain. We make the recipe three times. The first time is for the red cherries ( triple the amt of cherries, but not anything else.) We also add red food coloring. Divide into thirds and place in 3 pans.
#2 Second batch is the chocolate layer. Triple the chocolate, but not anything else. We never have put in nuts.
#3 We don't like green candied cherries. We leave this layer white and substitute almond flavoring for the vanilla.
#4 When cutting the cookies, cut the loaf into thirds lengthwise. Cut each section into 1/8 in slices.

I cooked one loaf pan of dough this morning and made enough cookies to fill a cookie tin and my cookie jar. I'll keep the rest in the fridge or freezer until I want(need) to bake more. This way my cookies for the swap will be fresh and will not get eaten up this week!

New Look

This post is for Priscilla and Rachel. Priscilla, here's the new hairstyle you wondered about. Dennis said I could cut my hair and donate it to Locks of Love. The ponytail we cut off was 15 inches. Rachel, I am now 14 weeks along and feeling fine for the most part. Neither of you should get too excited about holding this new baby because if you ask our Rachel only she will hold the baby. Grandma and Oma might get to hold the baby when she goes potty and can't hold the baby. I'm not sure that in her mind I will be allowed to hold the baby, although she did say I could change the diapers!! I think we might need to help her see that this will not be HER baby. :)