Holiday baking – Such sweet goodness!

Hi Readers,

I’m hosting a cookie swap for the awesome Tule team this week and baking dozens of my favorite holiday cookies for the party, along with cookies and candy for the family.

Growing up, it was the tradition to begin holiday baking right after Thanksgiving and my mom would make roll out sugar cookies, butterscotch scotties, Spritz cookies, pralines, fudge, and so much more.  But this recipe below is one my boys love, and so of course Trey Sheenan (The Kidnapped Christmas Bride) is one of my boys, too, so I’ve put McKenna in the Cray Cabin kitchen making cookies for Trey and TJ.

Trey’s Favorite Peppermint Pinwheel Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg yolk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red food coloring
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Directions:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and combine well. Divide dough in half; add extract and red food coloring to one portion.
On a work surface, roll out each portion of dough between waxed paper into a 16″x10″ rectangle. Removed waxed paper. Place red rectangle over the plain rectangle. Roll up tightly like a jelly-roll. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight or until firm. Unwrap the dough and cut into 1/4″ slices. Place 2 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

And here’s another favorite from Harley’s kitchen that she loves to make for Brock Sheenan’s family  (Christmas at Copper Mountain) every Christmas.

Harley’s White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Ingredients:
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 egg
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups white vanilla chips or 8 oz. vanilla flavored
1 (3 1/2 oz) jar macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
candy coating, coarsely chopped

Directions:
Heat oven to 375*F. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, sugar, margarine, and shortening; beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg; blend well. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt; mix well. Stir in vanilla chips and macadamia nuts. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 3 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375*F. for 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets.

Do you have a favorite cookie you have to make every year for your family?  Share with me—yes, I know, I know, I ask this every year but I love talking cookies!—and one of you will win a holiday box filled with great reads and festive cheer!  I’ll announce the winner on Sunday, the 21st!