Baking Christmas Cookies Round 1 - by Sunscape

This week I've been busy baking Christmas cookies for the giveaway trays. I have certain ones that are favorites that my neighbors enjoy. I will share the recipes over the next few days as I make them.

Cookie #1

Pecan Sandies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup white sugar
1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped pecans
½ cup white sugar for rolling balls into

• 1 - In a large bowl, cream the butter, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, and white sugar together.
• 2 - Add the confectioners' sugar and blend until smooth.
• 3 - Sift the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt together; stir it into the creamed mixture and add the chopped pecans.
• 4 -Mix the ingredients until well combined.

• 5 - Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and roll them in the remaining powdered sugar.
• 6 - Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet or one lined with parchment paper.
• 7- Press a whole pecan into the center of each cookie.
• 8 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in a preheated oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)or until the edges are golden. Transfer the cookies onto a wire rack to cool.

Cookie #2

Mamma's Chocolate Pepper Cookies

3 1/2 cups of flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon each of cinnamon, cloves, allspice, ginger, black pepper
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup of oil
1 cup of milk
1/2 cup of chocolate chips
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts

• 1 - Stir the milk and oil together.
• 2 - Sift all the dry ingredients.
• 3 - Combine the liquid with the dry ingredients, and mix well.
• 4 - Stir in the nuts and chips.

• 5 - Roll the dough into small-medium-sized balls and place onto a lined baking sheet or a lightly oiled sheet pan.

• 6 - Bake at 350°F. 10 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack.

• Note: Optional, you can make powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk frosting to drizzle on top.

This Pepper Cookie recipe was from my mother-in-law and she made them every year. Now, I carry on her cookie traditions for the holidays. They are spicy and especially delicious with icing drizzled on top. I will add the icing to the cookies the day before I assemble the cookie trays.

This was the first round of baking and I have many more varieties to do. Stay tuned for upcoming posts. Happy baking everyone.

Until next time, this is Sunscape
Sun. Scape. Ing Your Day