{Favorite Christmas Cut-Out Cookie Recipe}
(slightly adapted from Vanilla-Almond Sugar Cookies from BakeAt350.blogspot.com)
Ingredients:
3 cups AP flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup sugar
2 sticks butter, cold and cut into chunks
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp mint extract
Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine the flour and bp. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg and extracts and mix. Gradually add the flour mixture and beat just until combined, scraping the bowl down to incorporate all ingredients.
The dough may be crumbly, so just knead it together as you scoop it out.
Roll onto parchment (or a floured surface) and cut into shapes. (Tip: if you roll directly onto parchment, you can just remove the extra dough around the shapes and slide the whole parchment paper onto a cookie sheet to bake. No need to scoop the shapes and risk disfiguring them.) :) Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Let sit for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
When cooled, frost and sprinkle to your hearts content, and then eat and enjoy! :)
Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to several weeks... if they can last that long.
Some tips for an easier cookie making experience: 1) Make the dough a day (or two or three) in advance and just wrap it in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to make the cookies. Then just knead it out a bit to get it pliable again. 2) Either make your frosting in advance as well, or use store bought. 3) This recipe does not make a big batch (I wanna say it was about 2 dozen or so), which is nice because then you're not spending HOURS rolling, cutting, baking cookies. But it makes plenty for the family to enjoy (especially with all the other holiday treats). However, if you need more to give away, make sure to double the recipe.
{Favorite Microwaveable Peanut Brittle Recipe}
Can't remember where I got this from, but it is seriously the amazing and delicious... and it is so easy!! It is definitely a new holiday must have for me.
Just a side note for anyone who tries this... the microwave times will vary depending on your microwave wattage. Mine has 1100W or something like that and tends to heat things quickly. The original recipe called for longer cook times and I adjusted mine down. So you may have to tweak the times for yours and do a little guess and check work, but it's definitely worth the effort!
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup salted peanuts (I used raw peanuts and just added a little dash salt)
1 Tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking soda
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a glass bowl, combine the sugar, syrup and salt (if using). Microwave for 3 minutes (I think the original time was 3 1/2). Stir and add in the peanuts*. Microwave 2 more minutes (originally 3 more minutes). Stir in the butter and vanilla. Microwave for 1 final minute.
Stir in the baking soda quickly and immediately pour the mixture onto the parchment lined cookie sheet. Tip the sheet in different angles to spread the mixture. (Do NOT use a spoon or something to spread it because that will burst the air bubbles inside that we're trying to keep.) Spread as thick or as thin as you like (I personally like mine a little on the thick side) but you don't have much time before the mixture becomes too solid to spread... so work fast.
Allow to cool, then break into pieces and enjoy!! It's delicious!
{*Note: If you are using peanuts that have already been roasted, you may want to wait to add them with the butter and vanilla so that they don't cook too long and burn.}
{Fun Family Christmas Movie: Arthur Christmas}
Not necessarily my favorite Christmas movie, but definitely on our must watch list for all future Christmases. :) Really cute. If you haven't seen it yet, I definitely recommend putting it on your list too. :)
Anyway... Hope your Christmas was Merry and Bright! And here's to another one for 2013! :)
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