My Favorite Christmas Recipe

Finally starting my Wives of Faith Christmas Blog Carnival

It turns out that Saturday is not a very good day to start a blogging series. After spending all morning in the kitchen baking, the afternoon at a photo shoot, then the evening enjoying my in-laws’ Christmas party… the post was never actualized. Yesterday’s topic was My Favorite Christmas Song. In all honesty, that one is a little hard to narrow down for me! Today, however, is pretty simple.

My Favorite Christmas Recipe: Sugar Cookies.

This was platter of cookies from last February, when my family celebrated Christmas {after my husband’s homecoming from Afghanistan}.

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I bake a lot of cakes & cupcakes, but sugar cookies are always a holiday staple {in fact, they are what I was baking yesterday}. My mother-in-law gave me a cookbook as a wedding present. It was a good thing too, because I had just turned 22 the day before my wedding and had no cooking experience. I was a bit overwhelmed with the big book, so I started where I felt most comfortable- desserts. At some point I tried this sugar cookie recipe, and decided I would always make them at Christmas. I love baking them when I am not rushed and Kevin can help & play in with the extra dough. I love seeing his ideas for what to make and his little creative mind at work. It can be a mess, but these cookies are always worth it!

I have started a little collection of cookie cutters. Okay, I’ll admit, it’s more of an obsession. I have a deep drawer full of them! They represent everything adorable about childhood. If you are ever looking for a little gift for me, cookie cutters & ornaments will always be cherished :]

From that same day, my husband Rocky & Kevin making shark cookies for our late Christmas.

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Sugar Cookies {from Better Homes & Gardens}:

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill dough in the refrigerator for 1 to 3 hours or until easy to handle.

2. Preheat oven to 375F. Roll each half of the dough to 1/8-inch thickness, on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough with a floured 3-1/2-inch mitten-shaped cookie cutter. Place cutouts 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake in preheated oven about 8 minutes or until edges are set. Transfer cookies to wire racks and let cool. If desired, spread with Powdered Sugar Icing. Let stand until slightly set; pipe icing in decorative designs over iced cookies. Let stand until icing is set. Makes 36 cookies.

4. Powdered Sugar Icing: Stir together 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a medium bowl to make of piping or spreading consistency. Divide icing and tint portions with desired food coloring. Makes about 2 cups.

5. To store: Place uniced cookies in layers separated by pieces of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, if frozen. If desired, spread and/or pipe icing on cookies.

Our Christmas morning tradition of homemade waffles topped with strawberries comes in a really close second…

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If you were not able to read my previous post, I am participating in a A Blogger’s Christmas via Wives of Faith. I love to write & I love Christmas, plus it’s an excuse to post some personal photography. As an Air Force wife, I also support the Wives of Faith organization & what they do to support & encourage spouses. I will continue to update my blog with weddings & photo shoots, so there may be a two posts a day at times.

Christmas is coming so soon & I look forward to the chance to reflect on Christmas topics daily… I just thought it would be a nice way to share my own thoughts & traditions from my favorite holiday :]

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  • Casey Pitts - December 13, 2009 - 3:11 pm

    Love your photos!

  • Kathryn - December 13, 2009 - 4:21 pm

    Beautiful post, love the pictures! I picked sugar cookies too! 🙂

  • Jessica - December 13, 2009 - 6:17 pm

    thanks for sharing the yummy recipe! and your pictures are great!!!!

  • Jolene - December 13, 2009 - 8:16 pm

    Your photographs are stunning! Thanks for the visuals…and the recipes too!

  • alli michelle - December 14, 2009 - 11:41 am

    I love to see your photo shoots of families & couples, so food photography & recipes are such a bonus! Loving this post. The shot of father & son is so precious.

  • Andrea - December 14, 2009 - 1:00 pm

    Thank you so much, I am enjoying this blog carnival :]

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