Top 5: Christmas (or anytime!) Cookies

 

Along with the movies and music of the season; Christmas also means baking yummy treats!  Over the years we have gotten into the habit of making certain types of cookies at this time of year.  Some are older recipes and others are ones that we found more recently.  So, without further ado...here are our top 5 cookie recipes.

1) Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

No fancy recipe, just the classic Toll House cookie recipe.  The only change I make is that I only use 1/2 tsp salt. 

Chocolate Chip

2) Ms. Jamison's Gingersnaps:

A favorite memory from childhood is visiting an elderly woman from church.  We were always so excited when we walked into her house and saw a tray piled high with wafer thin gingersnap cookies. Ms. Jamison passed away several years ago but we are fortunate to have her delicious recipe.

Ms. Jamison's Gingersnaps

1 cup flour

1/3 cup molasses

1 tsp ginger

3 TB Shortening

1/8 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix all ingredients thoroughly.  Spread very thinly on ungreased cookie sheet.  Cook until set, about 8-10 minutes.  While still warm, cut into 3 inch squares.  Carefully place on rack to cool. 

3) Spicy Ginger Cookies

Another ginger cookie, but these include some additional spices, including cayenne pepper!

Spicy Ginger Cookies

 2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

8 TB (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup molasses 

1/4 cup egg whites

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine flour, baking soda and spices.  Set aside.  In bowl of stand mixer cream butter and sugars together.  Add the molasses to the creamed butter, then add the egg whites until combined.  Slowly add the dry ingredients. Once all dry ingredients are incorporated, roll dough into 1 inch balls and place onto baking tray.  Bake 8-10 minutes.  Transfer to cooling rack.  Makes approximately 3 dozen.

4) Brown Butter Chewy Ginger Oatmeal Cookies

Yes, I know...another ginger cookie recipe.  First, the spices in these cookies just scream warmth and Christmas but also, they are so different from the other two.  The nuttiness from browning the butter and the addition of Oats make for a wonderful chewy and tasty cookie.  I have to say, these are probably my favorite cookie.  This recipe is from the ambitious kitchen website and can be found here:

Brown Butter Chewy Ginger Oatmeal Cookies

5) Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

Don't let the word vegan scare you off from trying these cookies.  They are absolutely delicious and a must in our house at Christmas.  My kids ask every year when are we going to make them.  The use of candy canes is a great addition.  The only change I make to this recipe is that I use pureed canned pears instead of the applesauce as we have a child with an apple allergy.   

Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies 

 I hope you enjoy these cookie recipes!  What are some must-make cookie (or other) recipes in your house for Christmas?