A New Christmas Cookie Cookbook by Guest Carroll Pellegrinelli!

 by Guest Carroll Pellegrinelli

Are you planning on serving a variety of Christmas cookies this holiday season? I’ve got 3 tips for you. One, start making your cookie doughs now. Lately, each batch of cookie dough I’ve made, I only bake half and freeze the other half for later. You’ll find that most of the doughs in my book are freezable. Plus, many of the already-baked cookies may be frozen as well. I prefer to freeze the dough. It’s a joy to be able to offer several types of freshly baked cookies at one time without having to go through all the extra steps in making them.

My second tip is to be sure your panty is fully stocked. Don’t get caught out when you only have time to either go to the store or to bake cookies. Some of the basics you should always have on hand are flour, sugar, butter, salt, eggs, and vanilla. Did you know that you can bake cookies only with flour, sugar and butter? Look for the recipe for Shortbread recipe in my book.

 

Lastly and most importantly, order The Easy Christmas Cookie Cookbook today. You’ll have access to over 60 recipes. You’d be surprised at how many new recipes you can make this year. The Easy Christmas Cookie Cookbook can be ordered most anywhere. For your convenience, the link for Amazon is: https://amzn.to/2ZIZzQk

 

I hope you enjoy this recipe for Pinwheel Cookies.

 

Carroll Pellegrinelli is a Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author. The Easy Christmas Cookie Cookbook is her second cookbook, and third book. It can be purchased via Amazon at https://amzn.to/2ZIZzQk.

 

Carroll’s second book and first cookbook Starter Sourdough – The Step-by-Step Guide to Sourdough Starters was number 6 on the Wall Street Journal Bestsellers List. You can purchase it from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/2OIzHAX

 

Travel with the Lee Girls as They Shop and Eat Their Way Through the South – New Orleans was Carroll’s first book.  It is part mother- daughter travelogue including most of the tried-and-true well-known recipes served in and around the Quarter. You’ll also find lots of fun shopping tips and favorite restaurant recommendations. It’s a fun book even if you’re just traveling vicariously. You can find it on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/2DKkln4

 

Christmas in July

I'm sure I have you all frightened by now. But if the Hallmark Channel can do it, so can I. Especially since I've officially begun my Christmas shopping. Yes, you read that right. It was only ornaments, though. I give each of my kids and grandkids an ornament every year and Hallmark's ornament debut was this weekend, so I took the opportunity to grab some now and accumulate reward points that I can redeem when they bring out the next round in October. So see, there's a method behind my madness. That said, I've already warned hubby that Christmas décor will be going up right after Halloween. I love all of the twinkling lights and with the year we've had, it just feels right. I will also be writing a Christmas book during that time, so why not surround myself with inspiration.

Since we can't talk about Christmas without thinking about Christmas cookies, I thought I'd share this recipe I first saw on a Pioneer Woman Christmas special years ago. Because while they may look Christmassy, the citrussy flavor makes them perfect for summer. You can find Ree's recipe for Christmas Cherries here.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 sticks butter, softened (Ree says salted butter, but I only had unsalted, so I added pinch of salt to the mixture)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 egg yolks
• Zest and juice of one lemon
• Zest of one orange
• 2 cups all purpose flour, sifted twice
• green and/or red candied cherries cut in half for topping (this makes them nice and festive for the holidays, but I omit them the rest of the year)

In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

Add the vanilla, egg yolks, lemon zest and juice and orange zest and mix until combined.

Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl then mix again.

Add the sifted flour and mix until combined.

Put dough into a zip top plastic bag and refrigerate until firm.

When you're ready to make the cookies, preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Roll dough into one-inch balls and place on baking sheets.

If you're using the cherries, carefully press 1 half, cut side down, into each ball. If you're not using the cherries, you could press them to slightly flatten or make a thumbprint or whatever. Even criss-cross with a fork, like for peanut butter cookies. Just don't make them too thin.

Bake for about 20 minutes, but don't allow them brown, then cool on wire rack.

Okay, so envision these without the cherries. You could even dust them with powdered sugar, like lemon bars. But these are so light and buttery and that citrus flavor so refreshing... Can you tell I love them? I could eat every one of them by myself. But that would be bad, so I will share them with you.

We're hotter'n blue blazes here in Texas. Actually, I think much of the country is stuck under some heat ridge of high pressure, so you may be sweltering, too. With triple-digit heat, this is where I do the opposite of Ruthy. Now's the time when I hunker down in the air conditioning and do lots of writing. And dream of cooler temperatures. And eat delicious lemony cookies. ;-) 

How hot is it where you are?

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, one sassy pup, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at mindyobenhaus.com

Shortbread Snickerdoodles?

This is sort of a cheatin' post.

Back in early November, I was shopping in Whole Foods, and I saw these on the shelf.

I snatched them up right away, because I love shortbread and I love snickerdoodles.

They were SO delicious. But, alas, they sold out quickly.

As I was eating them, I had an idea. The shortbread reminded me very much of another cookie

One of our favorite Christmas cookies to bake when my children were growing up was Russian Tea Cakes.  I have had this cookbook since 1986 as you can tell by the condition.

The Shortbread cookies tasted very similar, and I figured that adding some cinnamon to the powdered sugar would mimic the snickerdoodle taste. Melt in your mouth delicious.

Unfortunately, I can't give you a verdict because my oven is on the fritz. But what do you think? Will this work?

Christmas Treats - Memories in the Making

Can you believe it? Christmas is only a week away! Actually, our Christmas is going to stretch that entire week. Our two boys will be here Christmas Eve and Day, daughters #1 and 3 will arrive the 27th with their families, and daughter #2 and her crew will join the madness on the 29th. Yes, now is the time for me to get my holiday baking on.

Perhaps I'll start with a little Spritz. (recipe here) Definitely a classic and oh, so easy to make. And if you want to change up the flavors, you can go with either almond or vanilla extract. Hmm...I wonder how they would taste with an orange or lemon flavor added? I just might have to do a little experimentation. 

Thumbprint Cookies (recipe here) are another classic. I just love the pecan coating.

And, of course, sugar cookies (recipe here).  

I can't tell you all the memories I have of decorating sugar cookies, both with my kids and when I was young. The most vivid one is of going to my great-aunt Gladys's when I was a little girl. She never married or had any children of her own, but every year she used to invite her nieces and nephews to her place to decorate Christmas cookies. She had a very small kitchen, though, and one year I bumped into my cousin, sending his plate of unadorned cookies careening toward the floor where they promptly broke.

Aunt Gladys, a retired school teacher, looked at me very matter-of-fact and said, "Mindy, you'll just have to share your cookies."

I can still feel my bottom lip quivering. I didn't want to share my cookies. I'd waited all year for those cookies. Sniff, sniff.

Of course, there was no arguing with Aunt Gladys, so Jeff went home with half of my cookies.

To this day, I can't tell you what those cookies tasted like. But I have such fond memories of decorating them. And isn't that what the holidays are all about. Sharing memories and making new ones.

In addition to cookies, we have the candies. Not really baking, but essential nonetheless.

Everything from Buckeyes, aka peanut butter balls (recipe here)...

 To Pretzel Turtles (recipe here)...

 As well as the ever-popular fudge (recipe here).

Just last week I told you the fond memories fudge holds for me, that it was the one thing my mom made every Christmas. 

Yes, making/eating these holiday treats/staples is like having cherished old friends visit. You love spending time with them, but by the time the holidays are over, you're glad to see them go. Mostly because you've overindulged and January marks a fresh start.

What treats will you be baking/making this week? Do you have memories that are wrapped around cherished holiday recipes? I'd love to hear them.

As I close out this post, I want to wish all a blessed holiday season. For some, this will be a challenging time as they face their first Christmas without a precious loved one. Even in our sorrow, may we keep our focus on the true meaning of Christmas. A baby born in a stable Who was and still is the hope of the world. 

Merry Christmas!

Three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com 

Trying New Cookie Ideas and Would Love Your Help!

Hi, it's Ruthy here, The Yank, and I love Christmas cookies. I love cookies 24/7/365 so I'm confessing that I won't just use these ideas at Christmas, but all year round!

We make cookie Whoopie Pies on the farm and they sell like crazy.... and in "Magnolia" Journal, there's a picture of spiced Whoopie Pies in the beautiful setting!

I knew I loved that Joanna Gaines! :)

So here are our classics....

Double Chocolate Chip (which is often triple chocolate chip depending on what morsels I have in the house...)

Mary's or Deluxe Sugar Cookies (which we frost with a decadent butter icing flavored with almond and vanilla)

Snickerdoodles (Love 'em!!!)

Fudge (any kind, I am an equal opportunity fudge lover!)

Meringue kisses, tinted in pastels because my son Luke loves them!!!

Those are the basics. I make some bars, too, but I'm a big fan of cookies and Whoopie Pies so this week I'm playing with cranberry cookies. Not everyone will love them, but they're in keeping with the season so I'm playing.

And I forgot Thumbprints. Oh, how I love Thumbprints with our new Very Berry Cherry jam!!!

But what are your favorites? You can post a link to the recipe or just name the favorite and tell me where you got the recipe... I'll do the leg work!

We used to make mincemeat cookies and bourbon balls (my father's and sister's favorites) but I don't like either so I don't do those anymore.

What about you? Are there cookies that have fallen out of favor?

Here's a new one I'm playing with, a cranberry/orange/white chocolate cookie and we're so pleased with the results I had to share it! This is homemade cranberry/orange relish, a simple recipe... 

One bag of cranberries
One large orange
1 cup sugar

Grind cranberries and orange together with grinder or food processor. Add sugar. Chill! 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees...

Cookies:

16 oz. soft butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons sour cream 
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups cranberry orange relish
3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 12 oz. bag Ghirardelli white chocolate chips
2/3 cup chopped walnuts (if desired)

Cream butter and sugars together with mixer. 

Add vanilla, sour cream, and egg. 

Mix and cream again. 
Add flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and mix in thoroughly. Blend in the cranberry orange relish. Mix thoroughly. Add in the white chocolate chips and walnuts.

Drop by tablespoonfuls (or fun cookie scoop!) onto parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for between 12-15 minutes. 

Cool on cookie sheet until you can move them to cooling rack. Cool thoroughly, then dip 1/2 cookie into white chocolate and cool again. I expect dipping in dark chocolate would be just as amazing!

These are a cranberry cookie that you then dip in chocolate. HOW CAN THAT BE BAD????

It can't be, right?

We did some straight (without chips or nuts) some with white chocolate chips and some with both... and dipped some of each. That way we can properly taste-test them! :) All in the name of science, of course.

And I love homemade things. I've had to sit on my hands not to order from catalogs because I love ordering things.... (sick, sick woman!) but I know we can make them even better.... so I've taken my discipline pills and instead I'm sending that money to Heifer International to help sustain farming because I'll bake cookies... and they can have milk for their children. That makes sense!!!!

And I'm making almond bark this week with roasted almonds and dark and white chocolate. I love almond bark with roasted almonds. I could possibly be addicted, but I don't need a medical intervention. Just hugs!

Our goals for Christmas have changed over the years... I used to get caught up in the splash and dash and shopping and having to create an amazing experience of presents and perfection.... and then I grew up and realized that Jesus, born in the manger, IS perfection. :)

So I stay with the decorating because it's fun for me and the grandkids... and I love baking and cooking....

But instead of shopping we find people to help.

It is like the best thing ever, and the whole family works together on it, not because we've got oh-so-much....

But because we've certainly got enough!

And now, Advent.... with sweet whispers of a blooming hope with one of my favorite Christmas hymn medleys....

Silent Night/Night of Silence

I sang alto on this for years with the St. Lawrence Song Prayers and it's still one of my favorite hymns to hear......

And here is a farm surprise!!!! Look what Logan discovered peeping and mewing beneath a monster-high pile of wood...

Four sweet babies! Mama sneaked away and hid these darlings well, but Detective Logan was on the job! When not detecting small, helpless critters beneath mammoth logs, Logan is a born inventor.... Like this cool flying creature he created with no directions at all.

I'd love to hear your cookie thoughts below! Let us know what cookies you love... or don't love... because this is the time of year we can all talk cookies and everyone understands it! 

Multi-published inspirational author Ruthy Logan Herne loves to write beautiful stories with unforgettable characters because it makes her happy to do it! Married for a very long time, she lives on a pumpkin farm in Western New York with her husband and two dogs, several cats, two flocks of chickens, three miniature donkeys and a host of wonderful people in and out of her doors daily.... She loves to chat with folks on facebook (so friend her there...) and loves to hear from folks at loganherne@gmail.com  Or run by her website ruthloganherne.com