Christmas Cookies Galore

I love to bake cookies, my boys love to eat cookies, it is the perfect relationship. The lord knew which boys needed to come to me. *LOL* I make up a lot of cookie trays as gifts as I am sure so many of you do too. Our family has a hard time deciding which cookies make the cookie tray list. As of last year we  I made at least 26 different cookies and candies for the trays that we give to family, friends and coworkers. It was really just way too much work. Of course I had pnuemonia also......... so that could have been a little bit of a factor(maybe just a little). This year I have decided it was too stressful so  each person may choose their top 3 cookies or candies that they think should be on the tray. They taste, they vote, they taste some more and remake their list again. It should be interesting to see what we end up with this year.

My top 3 cookies and candies are Red Velvet Cookies, Pecan Sandies and  Buttered Rum Fudge. The Red Velvet Cookies are by far my most requested christmas cookie. The recipe I use for them is Paula Deens recipe for her Red Velvet Cookie Sandwiches. Obviously I do not make them into sandwiches. I just make them into cookies, after they cool I drizzle them with cream cheese icing and sprinkle them with chopped pecans or walnuts ( whichever I happen to have). They are delicious.
I have been known to make them at times other than christmas just because I love them sooooo much.

My grandmother made Pecan Sandies every christmas. They are basically like mexican wedding cookies or danish cookies. It is a delicate shortbread cookie loaded with chopped pecans and rolled in powdered sugar. I still love licking the powdered sugar off my fingers!  I feel like I am a child again when I eat them.

The Buttered Rum Fudge recipe came from one of my Pillsbury cookbooks I received almost 15 years ago. I love it because of its flavor and the ease of making it. I always get request for this recipe when I serve it or give it as a gift.If you have never tried Buttered Rum Fudge, let me encourage you to give it a try. I am sure you will not be disappointed. I will warn you though, like any fudge it is sweet but that is what the holidays are all about , right?

Cookie monsters

That is exactly what we are at this house. We LOVE cookies. Obviously my attraction to cookies have led to numerous attempts at cookie recipes. I like to think of myself as a decent baker now due to all of those attempts to quench our desire for COOKIES. It is not unusual for us to bake cookies at our house on the average of 3 times a week. Most people love cookies so I tend to give them out as gifts quite often too. This has led to the quest for the best packaging system for them. I have done cookie boxes, cookie tins and treat bags. None seem to do it for me. Cookie boxes and tins keep them safe but I like for my cookies to be seen. I think this is important anytime you give food items. Well okay, maybe not but I know it just makes my mouth water when I see a beautiful cookie! Treat bags are cute but usually your cookies will get banged up and possibly crumble during tranportation. Just this past year I have started packing my cookies in cups or glasses. It is awesome. I love the fact they are protected, seen and packaged oh so cute! It is also very economical. I have used clear solo cups for kids, actual glasses and plastic cups. All of them work great for round cookies. Shaped cookies, well for obvious reasons does not work as well. LOL!  I usually put some tissue paper or paper grass at the bottom.  Then I just stack them up, slip the cup into a clear treat bag and tie it up.   EASY !                                     

Lemon crinkles ready to go in a flash......

  The cups are awesome for christmas cookie exchanges too! I packaged these in hard plastic cups bought at the dollar store (4 in a pk). I slipped them into a xmas cello bag, attached the recipe, a large jingle bell and some christmas curling ribbon tied it all together.