Wanted: easy holiday cookie recipes

[bluejeangirl76]

Yes, I can look online (and I am), but why not tap the always interesting resources of MR?

I need fairly easy cookie recipes because I have to make a large amount for a cookie exchange (could end up being 10-15 doz.).

Fun, easy ideas, anyone? Kthx.

This is the cutest, but I'm not sure I'm that ambitious. Someone did these last year anyway.

[Don]

Cinnamon Stars

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food ... index.html



Ingredients

* 2 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar, plus more for rolling* (please see Cook's Note)
* 15 ounces sliced almonds, with skin (about 4 1/2 cups)
* 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 3 large egg whites, room temperature
* 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

Directions

Sift the confectioners' sugar.

Put 1/2 cup of the sifted confectioners' sugar, 10 ounces (3 heaping cups) of the almonds and all the cinnamon in a food processor. Process until the nuts are finely ground, with just a few larger pieces.

Whip the egg whites in a large, clean bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until they hold soft peaks, about 1 minute. Gradually add the remaining confectioners' sugar while whipping, until the whites are thick, creamy and somewhat stiff, about 2 minutes more. Set aside 2/3 cup of this meringue for topping the cookies.

Fold the ground almond mixture and the lemon zest into the remaining meringue to make a stiff dough.

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Lay a sheet of parchment or waxed paper on the work surface and lightly dust with confectioners' sugar. Turn the dough out onto the dusted paper, flatten and dust with more sugar as needed, and then lay another sheet of parchment or waxed paper on top. Roll the dough between the papers until it is about 1/4-inch thick. Flip the dough over and gently peel off a sheet of the paper. For ease when cutting, lay the paper back on the dough, flip again and gently pull off the other side of the paper so that the dough is fully released from it.

Cut cookies with a 3-inch star cutter and place about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. (Excess dough can be rerolled.) Use a small spoon, brush or offset spatula to spread the reserved meringue over the top of each cookie, taking care not to let the meringue drip over the sides. Press or sprinkle remaining sliced almonds in a decorative pattern into the meringue.

Bake cookies until bottoms are light golden brown and meringue is set and crisp, about 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and open the oven door to release heat and dry cookies out in the oven for 10 more minutes.

Busy baker's tips: The dough can be frozen between the sheets of paper for up to 2 weeks. Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 10 days.

*Cook's Note: the amount of confectioners' sugar is correct in this recipe. The voice over on the video is incorrect. Use 1/2 cup with the almonds and 1 3/4 cups with the egg whites.

[Enigma869]

Step One: Get into your vehicle

Step Two: Start The engine

Step Three: Drive to your local bakery

Step Four: Purchase cookies

Step Five: Return Home

Step Six: Place cookies on your favorite holiday plate

Step Seven: Claim cookies as your own creation

Step Eight: Eat cookies

[Babyblue]

Step One: Get into your vehicle

Step Two: Start The engine

Step Three: Drive to your local bakery

Step Four: Purchase cookies

Step Five: Return Home

Step Six: Place cookies on your favorite holiday plate

Step Seven: Claim cookies as your own creation

Step Eight: Eat cookies

That is a much better idea.

[Don]

Ketchup

[bluejeangirl76]

Ketchup

Is that the whole recipe?

That's gonna be a serious bitch if I try to use cookie cutters.

[Angel]

Step One: Get into your vehicle

Step Two: Start The engine

Step Three: Drive to your local bakery

Step Four: Purchase cookies

Step Five: Return Home

Step Six: Place cookies on your favorite holiday plate

Step Seven: Claim cookies as your own creation

Step Eight: Eat cookies

There's no love in bakery-purchased cookies, and you miss that wonderful smell throughout the house of cookies baking.

Buy the break and bake from the dairy case at the grocery store.

[lights1961]

get the nestle toll house Chocolate chips and follow the receipe... if I can do that so can you...


Betty crocker brownies are good too!! and something different--lemon bars...

[Playitloudforme]

One of my favorite refrigerator cookies. You make the dough and then use what you need. And I'm a sucker for Key Lime anything...

Key Lime Shortbread

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temp
1 tablespoon key lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon grated key lime zest (rind)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup rice flour (or regular flour. Rice is finer tho).
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
lime sugar for garnish (see below)

In a large mixing bowl beat the butter, sugar, lime juice, salt, and one half the lime zest (1-1/2 teaspoons) until light and fluffy. Stir in the rice flour, then all-purpose flour, beating only enough to incorporate. The dough will be very soft. Divide dough in thirds. Spoon each portion onto waxed paper or plastic wrap and form a log about 14 inches long and 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Fold the paper over the log, then roll with your palms until smooth. Twist ends of the paper and refrigerate or freeze until firm, 1 to 4 hours.

To make the lime sugar, place sugar and remaining zest in a blender or coffee mill and whirl until zest is very finely minced and sugar is lightly colored, about three minutes. Strain mixture through a fine sieve, discarding any bits of peel that remain. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 300 F. Slice chilled dough into rounds about 1/4 inch thick. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Lightly butter the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass and dip into the lime sugar. Press lightly onto tops of cookies, dipping the glass into the sugar mixture before pressing each cookie to prevent dough from sticking. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until light golden. Cookies will be fragile: allow to cool five minutes on baking sheets before removing with a spatula to cool completely on wire racks.

[Jana]

Frozen sugar cookies, slice and bake and put all the colored sugar decoration on them or frosting.

Christmas morning, take those slice and bake cinnamon rolls and bake and then spread the warm glazed icing on them, with fresh squeezed orange juice or a mimosa if you're really stressed out from late night Christmas wrapping.

[KDOUBLEU]

Go buy some OREO double stuff and some Chocolate. ( The kind that you melt to make candy) Melt the chocolate then dip the Oreos in it. You can use White chocolate too. Put some sprinkles on top and you have Christmas Cookies!

[Michigan Girl]

Go buy some OREO double stuff and some Chocolate. ( The kind that you melt to make candy) Melt the chocolate then dip the Oreos in it. You can use White chocolate too. Put some sprinkles on top and you have Christmas Cookies!

You can buy them already dipped!! If you must have sprinkles,
nuke them for a couple of seconds and sprinkle...

[KDOUBLEU]

Go buy some OREO double stuff and some Chocolate. ( The kind that you melt to make candy) Melt the chocolate then dip the Oreos in it. You can use White chocolate too. Put some sprinkles on top and you have Christmas Cookies!

You can buy them already dipped!! If you must have sprinkles,
nuke them for a couple of seconds and sprinkle...

You can?? Shoot Ive been wasting alot of time making them! Never mind....

[bluejeangirl76]

There's no love in bakery-purchased cookies, and you miss that wonderful smell throughout the house of cookies baking.

Buy the break and bake from the dairy case at the grocery store.

I considered that. But I always end up eating half of the dough before it hits the oven.

[stevew2]

Step One: Get into your vehicle

Step Two: Start The engine

Step Three: Drive to your local bakery

Step Four: Purchase cookies

Step Five: Return Home

Step Six: Place cookies on your favorite holiday plate

Step Seven: Claim cookies as your own creation

Step Eight: Eat cookies

There's no love in bakery-purchased cookies, and you miss that wonderful smell throughout the house of cookies baking.

Buy the break and bake from the dairy case at the grocery store.

Betty Cockers double Chocolare chip, they go great with red wine

[Angel]

There's no love in bakery-purchased cookies, and you miss that wonderful smell throughout the house of cookies baking.

Buy the break and bake from the dairy case at the grocery store.

I considered that. But I always end up eating half of the dough before it hits the oven.

That's an easy fix, just buy double.....

[Blueskies]

I love to bake and often don't follow recipes or write down what I put in...just a pinch of this and a bit of that many times....but here is a delicious and simpler then you may think cookie recipe that was given to me so I'll pass it on....

White Chocolate & Raspberry Cookies
________________________________

8 oz. white baking bark
an additional 3-5 oz. white baking bark
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2 & 3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
1/2 tsp. vegetable shortening

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray cookie sheet with Pam or better yet I use a Silpat baking mat ( cookies don't stick or burn on the bottom before the tops get done on those)
Chop 4 oz. of the white chocolate. Melt another 4 oz. in a pan or the microwave.
Beat butter for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking soda, salt...then beat in the eggs, add the melted chocolate and then mix in the flour and then the 4 oz. of chopped chocolate.
Drop round tsp. of dough onto sheet about 2 inchs apart. Bake 7 to 9 minutes.
While baking melt jam in a pan and then melt the remaining white chocolate in a pan or the mic.
Remove cookies from oven and let set on wire rack for a minute then spoon 1/2 to 1 tsp. of the jam in the center. Let cool another minute or so then put the melted chocolate in a baggy...snip off just the tip of a corner and drizzle the tops of the cookies in a zig zag pattern.

These cookies are pretty and de-lish! Enjoy!

[WalkInMyShoes]

My family likes Ritz bits (peanut butter between 2 tiny Ritz crackers) dipped in melted milk chocolate. You have to kind of spear them with a toothpick and dip them in the chocolate. They're salty/sweet, tiny and easy. I HATE rolling out cookies and with these you don't even need to make dough.

[larryfromnextdoor]

ohh.. make some Hanky Pankys...

1 rye bread
2 lbs regular sausage
1 lb velveeta cheese
1 onion
serves one

throw it all in the oven for 20 min. !! bam! football food..

go to Sams and buy some cookies..

[Babyblue]

I love to bake and often don't follow recipes or write down what I put in...just a pinch of this and a bit of that many times....but here is a delicious and simpler then you may think cookie recipe that was given to me so I'll pass it on....

White Chocolate & Raspberry Cookies
________________________________

8 oz. white baking bark
an additional 3-5 oz. white baking bark
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2 & 3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
1/2 tsp. vegetable shortening

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray cookie sheet with Pam or better yet I use a Silpat baking mat ( cookies don't stick or burn on the bottom before the tops get done on those)
Chop 4 oz. of the white chocolate. Melt another 4 oz. in a pan or the microwave.
Beat butter for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking soda, salt...then beat in the eggs, add the melted chocolate and then mix in the flour and then the 4 oz. of chopped chocolate.
Drop round tsp. of dough onto sheet about 2 inchs apart. Bake 7 to 9 minutes.
While baking melt jam in a pan and then melt the remaining white chocolate in a pan or the mic.
Remove cookies from oven and let set on wire rack for a minute then spoon 1/2 to 1 tsp. of the jam in the center. Let cool another minute or so then put the melted chocolate in a baggy...snip off just the tip of a corner and drizzle the tops of the cookies in a zig zag pattern.

These cookies are pretty and de-lish! Enjoy!

That sounds really good.I may try it for our Christmas Party at work.

[Michigan Girl]

ohh.. make some Hanky Pankys...

1 rye bread
2 lbs regular sausage
1 lb velveeta cheese
1 onion
serves one
throw it all in the oven for 20 min. !! bam! football food..

go to Sams and buy some cookies..

Larry...I am LMAO!!!

BTW~is that one slice or loaf of Rye Bread?!?!?

[larryfromnextdoor]

ohh.. make some Hanky Pankys...

1 rye bread
2 lbs regular sausage
1 lb velveeta cheese
1 onion
serves one
throw it all in the oven for 20 min. !! bam! football food..

go to Sams and buy some cookies..

Larry...I am LMAO!!!

BTW~is that one slice or loaf of Rye Bread?!?!?

ha ,, not sure about the bread.. but its pretty good stuff. .. dont look
to good , but it is..

say.. it looks like we are playing Michigan St in the Alamo Bowl..

[rockinfayrose]

Sure wish I had published my cookbook this year, would have been a nice plug right here but anyway here's a fabulous cookie recipe excerpt...

Perfect Oatmeal Cookies

You can easily double this recipe by doubling the ingredient measurements. - After tasting how delicious the cookies are, I'm sure you will want to make 2 dozen or more!

1½ sticks butter, softened
½ cup sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup wheat germ
¾ tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
¾ cup golden raisins


Preheat oven to 350°F.

In large bowl, using handheld electric mixer, cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, until incorporated. Stir in vanilla.

In medium bowl, combine oats, flour, wheat germ, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. With mixer on low speed, mix dry ingredients into butter mixture until just combined. Fold in raisins.

Scoop ¼ cup dough for each cookie and place on baking sheet, leaving 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten top of each cookie. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, being careful not to burn. Cookie will be done when lightly browned and set. Enjoy!

Makes approximately 1 dozen cookies.

[Blueskies]

I love to bake and often don't follow recipes or write down what I put in...just a pinch of this and a bit of that many times....but here is a delicious and simpler then you may think cookie recipe that was given to me so I'll pass it on....

White Chocolate & Raspberry Cookies
________________________________

8 oz. white baking bark
an additional 3-5 oz. white baking bark
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2 & 3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
1/2 tsp. vegetable shortening

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray cookie sheet with Pam or better yet I use a Silpat baking mat ( cookies don't stick or burn on the bottom before the tops get done on those)
Chop 4 oz. of the white chocolate. Melt another 4 oz. in a pan or the microwave.
Beat butter for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking soda, salt...then beat in the eggs, add the melted chocolate and then mix in the flour and then the 4 oz. of chopped chocolate.
Drop round tsp. of dough onto sheet about 2 inchs apart. Bake 7 to 9 minutes.
While baking melt jam in a pan and then melt the remaining white chocolate in a pan or the mic.
Remove cookies from oven and let set on wire rack for a minute then spoon 1/2 to 1 tsp. of the jam in the center. Let cool another minute or so then put the melted chocolate in a baggy...snip off just the tip of a corner and drizzle the tops of the cookies in a zig zag pattern.

These cookies are pretty and de-lish! Enjoy!

That sounds really good.I may try it for our Christmas Party at work.

Cool! I should have added that you take the back of a spoon when the cookies are still warm and press a slight indentation in the top for the jam.
I hope your co-workers enjoy them.

[tammy]

I love to bake...from scratch. This recipe is pretty easy & delish.

Coconut Cranberry Bars

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 24 squares, but easier to buy the box of crumbs)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups vanilla or white chips
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup pecan halves (sometimes I omit these)

Combine cracker crumbs and butter; press into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; mix well. Gently spread over the crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-28 min. or until edges are golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 3 dozen. edit: (oops, just saw you needed 15 dozen!)

[Babyblue]

I love to bake and often don't follow recipes or write down what I put in...just a pinch of this and a bit of that many times....but here is a delicious and simpler then you may think cookie recipe that was given to me so I'll pass it on....

White Chocolate & Raspberry Cookies
________________________________

8 oz. white baking bark
an additional 3-5 oz. white baking bark
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2 & 3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
1/2 tsp. vegetable shortening

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray cookie sheet with Pam or better yet I use a Silpat baking mat ( cookies don't stick or burn on the bottom before the tops get done on those)
Chop 4 oz. of the white chocolate. Melt another 4 oz. in a pan or the microwave.
Beat butter for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking soda, salt...then beat in the eggs, add the melted chocolate and then mix in the flour and then the 4 oz. of chopped chocolate.
Drop round tsp. of dough onto sheet about 2 inchs apart. Bake 7 to 9 minutes.
While baking melt jam in a pan and then melt the remaining white chocolate in a pan or the mic.
Remove cookies from oven and let set on wire rack for a minute then spoon 1/2 to 1 tsp. of the jam in the center. Let cool another minute or so then put the melted chocolate in a baggy...snip off just the tip of a corner and drizzle the tops of the cookies in a zig zag pattern.

These cookies are pretty and de-lish! Enjoy!

That sounds really good.I may try it for our Christmas Party at work.

Cool! I should have added that you take the back of a spoon when the cookies are still warm and press a slight indentation in the top for the jam.
I hope your co-workers enjoy them.

Thanks hon Will let you know .

[Babyblue]

Sure wish I had published my cookbook this year, would have been a nice plug right here but anyway here's a fabulous cookie recipe excerpt...

Perfect Oatmeal Cookies

You can easily double this recipe by doubling the ingredient measurements. - After tasting how delicious the cookies are, I'm sure you will want to make 2 dozen or more!

1½ sticks butter, softened
½ cup sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup wheat germ
¾ tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
¾ cup golden raisins


Preheat oven to 350°F.

In large bowl, using handheld electric mixer, cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, until incorporated. Stir in vanilla.

In medium bowl, combine oats, flour, wheat germ, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. With mixer on low speed, mix dry ingredients into butter mixture until just combined. Fold in raisins.

Scoop ¼ cup dough for each cookie and place on baking sheet, leaving 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten top of each cookie. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, being careful not to burn. Cookie will be done when lightly browned and set. Enjoy!

Makes approximately 1 dozen cookies.

They sound great.

[portland]

Huge at my house...they are usually gone within 15 minutes




These no-bake cookies are made with oats and chocolate, along with optional peanut butter and other ingredients.

* 4 ounces butter or margarine
* 1/2 cup milk
* 2 cups sugar
* 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
* 3 to 4 tablespoons peanut butter, optional
* 3 cups oats, quick or old-fashioned
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:
Place chocolate chips, peanut butter (if used), oats, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Combine the margarine, milk, and sugar in a saucepan; bring to a rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute. Combine the hot mixture with the oatmeal and chocolate chip mixture; stir well. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper ...let cool

[Babyblue]

All the recipes sound so good.Keep them coming.

[bluejeangirl76]

These no-bake cookies are made with oats and chocolate, along with optional peanut butter and other ingredients.

This is not a bad idea. I'm really going to be pressed for time trying to bake 10 dozen (or more) on a weeknight, so I was considering looking for a no bake recipe.

Some great ideas posted here! I may look into some extra baking so I can try some more of these after I get this one out of the way.