Monday, December 9

EVERYTHING Christmas Cookies

I do believe cookies must have been invented JUST for Christmas - they are the perfect bite-size gift for friends, neighbors and teachers! They can put a smile on the face of  the 'Scrooge-iest' of Christmas comers & goers and brighten up the day of many a harried holiday shopper. 

This recipe comes to you via Southern Living, but somewhere it took a few turns in my own personal kitchen. I like to add dried cherries and Dove dark chocolate chunks to my cookies - which make the most decadent Christmas cookie of all time. Another of my favorite combos is white chocolate chunks, chopped apricots, macadamia nuts with an added teaspoon or two of grated orange peel - it's wondrous too! 

These jewels package well and hold up beautifully in the mail, making shipping to friends from afar an added plus. With all this in mind, add what ya like, leave out the rest and come up with your own made-to-order Christmas cookie! ENJOY!

EVERYTHING Christmas Cookies
This recipe yields a huge batch of cookies giving you the opportunity to make a variety of flavors - so get inventive! These are the best cookies you'll make OR eat this holiday season! 
Makes 8 Dozen
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INGREDIENTS 
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups butter, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • 2 cups dried fruit of your choice, optional; cherries, cranberries, golden raisins, currant

WHAT TO DO
  • Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a second bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth. Add the sugar and brown sugar and beat for another 2 minutes. 
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla. 
  • Stir in the flour mixture, blending until just combined. 
  • Add the chips, oats, coconut, and pecans and stir until fully incorporated.
  • Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an baking sheet covered with Silpat or parchment paper, making sure to allow plenty of room between cookies. 
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 1-2 minutes before placing on a cooling rack.
Once, as I was in the frenzied days of holiday baking, I cooked my toffee a tad bit too long - it wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best either. Ever the saver, I broke it up into small pieces and threw a couple of cupfuls into this cookie batter along with my dark chocolate, cherries and other yummy ingredients. They were SO good! Mr. P asks yearly when will I be making such a repeat 'mistake'! Happy Holiday Baking My Friends - make a few of your own mistakes, they just may turn out to be the best thing to come from your kitchen!

ENJOY!
 ~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~
RONDA

8 comments:

  1. I am a cookie monster! I love cookies and these look FANTASTIC!!!! Pinning right now!

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    1. I like making teeny-tiny cookies, one or two bites at most. I've always baked like this. These are great Christmas cookies.

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  2. Yes! These look fantastically delicious!

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  3. Wow, totally MY kind of cookie. I love everything in it! Pinned :)

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    1. I know - me too Sinea! I have to make them and FREEZE them immediately! Pulling them out for friends and parties during the holidays.

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  4. Your blog is beautiful! Thanks for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays!

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    1. Well it is a Christmas mess that's for sure, but I love color and texture. I enjoyed sharing my cookies, thanks for stopping by Jennifer!

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