When it comes to holiday baking, I like to keep things simple, yet make it seem like I slaved for hours in the kitchen. So I decided to share the recipes we break out year after year that always seem to be crowd pleasers. And even better, many only require a handful of ingredients and thus, perfect for busy families out there.
SCOTCH CAKES
A girlfriend of mine introduced these to me at a holiday cookie exchange a few years ago and right away they were soon one of my favorite cookies I had ever tasted. And why wouldn’t they be?!? They simply melt in your mouth thanks to all their buttery goodness!
This year was the first I made them myself and they did not disappoint. I decided to do mine in a star shape and I am happy to report that they won me a prize at a recent cookie exchange!
SCOTCH CAKE COOKIES RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
Cookies
- 1 lb butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup icing sugar
- 4 cups flour
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Cream butter and vanilla.
- Work in icing sugar and flour, saving 1/4 cup flour for rolling out the dough.
- Mix lightly. Pat lightly. Lightly roll out dough in the flour to 1/4″ thick.
- Cut with a star shaped cookie cutter.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
Butter Icing
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp cream (scalded)
- 2 cups icing sugar (sifted)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
DIRECTIONS
- Mix ingredients together and beat well.
- Spoon the icing onto the cookies and top with a half of a maraschino cherry.
Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies.
PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE KISS COOKIES
These cookies were a part of my childhood and it is hard to believe I am now sharing the tradition with my own children. Each time we make these, everyone gets involved in placing the chocolates when the cookies come out of the oven. I can easily say, I make 3 or 4 batches over the holidays.
4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Kiss Cookies
CARAMEL CHOCOLATE ROLO COOKIES
These cookies are ones I bake year round when I am looking for a fast recipe or wanting a little sweet treat to make for the kids. Who doesn’t love the combination of chocolate and caramel?
5-Ingredient Caramel Chocolate Rolo Cookies
SANTA RICE KRISPIE TREATS
Want to be a hit with the kids?!? Have them help you make these adorable Rice Krispie Treats in the shape of Saint Nick. They may look tricky, but I can say, my son was able to do most of the “work” on these.
SNICKERDOODLES
Aren’t snickerdoodles one of those cookies that just make you think of Christmas? They are another one of my favorites come the holiday time and I love the recipe I use year after year.
Snickerdoodles Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 5 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 tsp ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Cream together butter, shortening and 1 1/2 cups of sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then blend in vanilla.
- Whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Add to wet mixture and blend in.
- Mix the 5 tsp sugar and cinnamon in a small Ziplock bag
- Shape a heaping tablespoon of dough and place it in the cinnamon sugar bag. Roll the dough around until it is completely covered. Repeat with dough balls and place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake 8 – 10 minutes. Remove immediately from baking sheet to cool.
Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies.
