Sugar Cookies – a versatile recipe for mix-ins

Not a lot of time to bake cookies this year?   Try this delicious Sugar Cookie recipe and do some mix-ins.

At the cookie exchange.

That’s what I did to create this Cranberry-Orange Walnut Sugar Cookie when I was pushed against the clock before meeting up with the outrageous bakers in the Food Bloggers of Los Angeles for our annual Cookie Exchange.  (See links to all the FBLA recipes below.)   This was my first time at this event, since it usually conflicts with my Holiday Cookie Baking Class, which will be next Saturday, December 14, 2013.

The True Joy of the Christmas Cookie Bake

Santa makes an appearance at our 8th annual Cookie Baking Class

Our 8th annual Christmas Cookie Baking class was a smashing success!  I love this class!  It’s the ultimate group effort – baking 8 different cookies…over 1000 cookies to share with your friends.  Everyone taps into their holiday spirit and inner child to create these beauties.

Merry Mocha Cookies

Cherry-Coconut Drops

English Toffee

Peppermint Fluff Brownies

Lemon-Ginger Snowballs

Nutmeg Logs

French Macarons with Raspberry Filling

Decorated Sugar Cookies

My favorite moment is when the eight different cookies are all splayed out on the big table..it now takes over three tables to display them all!!  It takes all my might to hold everyone back from descending on them with their cookie tins in hand…so that we can enjoy the sight and take a few photos before they are all split up and brought to different homes.  For a moment, I think of them as my babies…I’ve planned out in my head how all the separate cookies will look together in a combination of holiday sweets…and I just want that moment to last a little longer.  It is quite a sight!

However, the real joy in hosting an annual Christmas Cookie Bake is the pride the  little ones and big ones alike take in their work – such a reward for me to see the look on their faces at what they are able to create!

Sugar Cookie Team: Dakota, Madison, Ashley; Lemon-Ginger Snowball Team: Matt, Nancy, Leilani

Nutmeg Log Team: Karen & Jeanine; Cherry-Coconut Drop Team: Izzy; French Macaroon Team: Emma & Doris; Cookie Chef, Patricia.

After days of shopping and hours of preparation setting up our Community Hall with the tables, ingredients and recipes for the Cookie Bake, I get such a kick out of watching people enter the Hall and decide which cookie team they want to join.  It reminds me of being overwhelmed on Christmas morning as I enter the living room and see the glow of the Christmas tree and the beautifully wrapped gifts.  Yes, Santa was there, but I have since found the real joy of Christmas…giving to others.  That is the true joy we all experience during the Christmas Cookie Bake!! …and of course, we get to eat the results!

Most of the Cookie Baking Teams

1000 Christmas Cookies

 

Christmas Cookie Baking Ingredients for Saturday December 10

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around my house! I’ve gathered my supplies – flour, sugar, butter, eggs, sprinkles, chocolate…lots of chocolate for our 8th annual Christmas Cookie Baking Class on Saturday, December 10 at 12:30 in the Holy Nativity Community Hall.

Come join us this Saturday when we will be baking up 1000+ cookies – delectable treats you are absolutely going to love to share with your family and friends. We will be baking up 8 new recipes that will be perfect on your holiday table:

• Sugar Cookies with Ornamental Frosting and Sprinkles
• English Toffee
• Peppermint Fluff Brownies
• Merry Mocha Cookies
• Lemon-Ginger Snowballs
• Nutmeg Logs
• Cherry-Coconut Drops
• Raspberry French Macarons with Chocolate Ganache centers