Christmas Cookie Crazy

Isa 9:6-7a "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace . . . "

Hello daughters of grace!   Christmas Eve is here!  It's time to celebrate the birth of our Savior!  Honestly, next to Resurrection Day this is the most important holiday for believers!  Without Jesus we would all be lost in our sins, but with Him we have life here and for eternity in heaven.  As we celebrate I am reminded that He came once and He's coming back again to take us all home with Him!  No more pain, tears or sorrow.  Joy in Heaven!  I'm excited and honored to know the Savior!

Yesterday and today cookies are my focus!  I'm actually making four types this year.  I'm making dark chocolate chip, white chocolate orange, sugar and kolacky cookies!  I want to give you my TOP COOKIE MAKING TIPS to help you through the holidays and beyond (I mean who said cookies are only for Christmas anyway?).  LOL!  I'll also share two of the recipes I'll be making with you just in case you get in the mood!

Level with knife

• Make sure everything is fresh, not just the eggs.  Cream of tarter, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda. Check dates and remember spices lose their potency over time.
• If your brown sugar gets hard just pop it in the microwave for a minute or two.  It will soften right up!  



Spoon Dry Ingredients

• All ingredients should be at room temperature.  I mean everything.  Please don't wait until 5 minutes before to pull out the butter.  :-)  Take the ingredients out at least 30 minutes before you start so that nothing is ice cold and butter is soft.  You will have better results and easier cooking. 

• Spoon dry ingredients into dry measuring cups and level with a knife.  NEVER scoop flour.  You'll have dense cookies.

Slowly add dry ingredients

• Use GOOD quality chocolate.  It may be a little more costly but it does make a difference
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• Use unsalted butter.  There will most likely be salt in the recipe.  The extra salt isn't needed and could affect the flavor.  
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• Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl from your creamed butter and sugar, then add.  This is guarantee an even distribution of the dry ingredients.  
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• Slowly scoop the dry ingredients into the mixer.  This allows the mixture to incorporate well and less mess.

• Use two spoons coated with cooking spray for drop cookies.  It makes less mess and it's easy for the kiddos to use.    
• Bake as closely to center of the oven as possible.  The lower section may cause the cookies to burn.  



Use the Center Racks



Use spoons coated with spray

• Cool for a minute or two and immediately move cookies to a rack for cooling.  Easy cleanup and this frees up racks for MORE COOKIES!  LOL

Enjoy your family and your cookies!  God bless you this Christmas!


White Chocolate and Orange Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups white chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and orange zest. Stir the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together; mix into the creamed mixture. Stir in the white chocolate chips. Drop tablespoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets.
3.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 1-2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup oatmeal, ground
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups dark chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. In a separate bowl mix flour, oatmeal, baking soda and salt.
3.  Add to batter slowly.  Stir in chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
3.  Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.