Posted by Karen on December 13, 2000 at 17:47:06:
In Reply to: christmas cookies posted by evelyn on December 13, 2000 at 13:42:51:
Macaroons
Yields: About 1 1/2 dozen
1 7-ounce bag shredded coconut (2 2/3 cups)
1 cup sliced natural almonds
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large egg whites
1 teaspoon almond extract
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease 2 large cookie sheets. Into large bowl,
measure coconut, almonds, sugar, and salt. With spoon, mix until combined. Stir
in egg whites and almond extract until well blended.
Drop mixture by heaping tablespoons, about 2 inches apart, on cookie sheets.
Place cookie sheets on 2 oven racks. Bake cookies 20 to 25 minutes until golden,
rotating cookie sheets between upper and lower racks halfway through baking
time. With pancake turner, remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Store
cookies in tightly covered container.
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Fruitcake Bites
Yields: About 2 dozen
6 tablespoons butter-flavor shortening
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/3 cup pitted prunes, chopped
1/3 cup red candied cherries, chopped
1/3 cup green candied cherries, chopped
1 3.5-ounce container diced candied orange peel (about 1/2 cup),
chopped
red and green candied cherries for garnish
Grease twenty-four 1 3/4" by 1" mini muffin-pan cups. Preheat oven to 350
degrees F.
In large bowl, with wooden spoon, beat shortening, sugar, baking powder, salt,
and cinnamon until well combined. Add flour, milk, vanilla extract, and eggs; mix
well. Stir in pecans, prunes, red candied cherries, green candied cherries, and
candied orange peel.
Spoon 1 rounded tablespoon batter into each muffin-pan cup (reserve
remaining batter for making more fruitcake bites). If you like, garnish with
additional red and green candied cherries.
Bake fruitcake bites 15 to 20 minutes until golden and toothpick inserted in
center comes out clean. Cool fruitcake bites in pans on wire racks 10 minutes;
remove from pans. Cool completely on wire racks. Wash and dry muffin-pan
cups.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 with remaining batter until all batter has been used,
garnishing with candied cherries.
Store fruitcake bites in tightly covered container in refrigerator.
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Santa's Thumbprints
1 c Margarine, softened
1/2 c Firmly packed brown sugar
1 Whole egg or egg white
1 t Vanilla
1 1/2 c Oats (quick or -old-fashioned, uncooked)
1 1/2 c All-purpose flour
1 c Finely chopped nuts
1/3 c Jelly or preserves
Heat oven to 350 F.
Beat margarine and sugar in large bowl until fluffy. Blend in egg
and vanilla. Add combined oats and flour; mix well.
Shape into 1" balls; roll in chopped nuts. Place 2" apart on ungreased
cookie sheet. Make indentation in center of each ball with thumb. Fill
each thumbprint with about 1/4 teaspoon jelly. Bake 12-15 minutes or until
light golden brown.
Cool completely on wire rack. Store loosely covered.
Makes about 3 dozen cookies.
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Christmas Butter Cookies
1 c Soft butter
2/3 c Sugar
2 tb Vanilla
2 Eggs
3 c Flour
1/2 ts Salt
Cream butter until light and fluffy. Add sugar. Gradually stir in vanilla.
Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
Blend in flour and salt. Mix well.
Wrap dough and chill for at least 2 hours.
Lightly flour a pastry cloth and rolling pin. Roll dough to about 1/8"
thickness.
Cut into desired shape. Place 1" apart on cookie sheets.
Bake at 350'F. for 10 minutes or until lightly brown.
Cool, frost and decorate. Makes 5 dozen.
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Ginger Krinkles
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup packed brown sugar (packed)
3/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
Stir together the first five ingredients and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Combine the remaining ingredients and beat well. Add dry ingredients
to beaten mixture and beat well.
Form 1 inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place balls 2 inches apart
on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for about
10 minutes.
Makes about 4 dozen.