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!
1 comment:
changing the subject a bit -- ok, so a lot! -- are you guys finding out whether you're having a boy or girl??? I'm trying to plan spring/summer knitting...and if you know ahead of time, I could get a head start. no pressure at all. however, this time i want my gift to actually FIT (and not just "fit" for the picture : )
Post a Comment