Christmas Cookie Selection

I almost didn't bake any cookies this year. It seems like everyone is watching what they eat so I didn't want to make cookies that no one will eat.

I was going to just make the 2 favorites, peanut blossoms and mint chocolate chip. Then I decided to make some not-so-traditional cookies for Christmas. 

Here are the ones that made the cut. 

1. Candy cane Hershey's Kiss sugar cookie bars
2. Gingerbread chocolate chip cookies
3. Ricotta cheese cookies
4. Mint chocolate chip cookies
5. Peanut butter blossoms
6. Oreo cream cheese cookies

This cookie is in a separate photo because I forgot it :(

~Enjoy

Michelle

Valentine Peanut Blossoms

What an easy way to make a special Valentine's day treat. I used the traditional peanut blossom recipe and added Hershey valentine hearts to the top when they came out of the oven.  There is dark chocolate, milk chocolate and milk chocolate with peanut butter inside. You can't really tell the difference between the 2 milk chocolates so you may end up with a double peanut butter surprise.

Be very careful when removing the cookies from the baking sheet to the cooling racks. The chocolate melts so fast that it could slide off the cookie. (see above) lol

Valentine Peanut Blossoms

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 Tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

   Sugar

48 Hershey hearts (or how many cookies you make)

Directions

Heat oven to 375F. In large bowl, combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, shortening, peanut butter, mild, vanilla and egg; blend at low speed until stiff dough forms. Shape into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately top each cookie with a candy kiss, pressing down firmly so cookie cracks around edge; remove from cookie sheet.

Cool completely and let chocolate harden before storing.

makes about 4 dozen.

~Michelle

recipe from Pillsbury The Complete Book of Baking

Peanut Blossoms

These are my hubby's favorite cookie of all time. This is the classic recipe and should be on your list of Christmas cookies to make.  It is a nice recipe because you toss it all in one bowl and mix. The most complicated part is unwrapping the kisses. lol The texture is amazing soft and tender with a traditional Hershey milk chocolate flavor. Perfect combo.

Peanut Blossoms

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 Tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

   Sugar

48 Hershey kisses (or how many cookies you make)

Directions

Heat oven to 375F. In large bowl, combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, shortening, peanut butter, mild, vanilla and egg; blend at low speed until stiff dough forms. Shape into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately top each cookie with a candy kiss, pressing down firmly so cookie cracks around edge; remove from cookie sheet.

Cool completely and let kiss harden before storing.

makes about 4 dozen.

recipe from Pillsbury The Complete Book of Baking

~Michelle