T’was 8 nights before Christmas when o'er wonderland we flew,
Searching for cookies but somehow we knew,
That cotton candy and popcorn could be found at the fair,
But no Christmas bakery could be seen from the air.
It then became clear, what next should be done,
Bake our own cookies - with friends - “it’s such fun!"........
MoMoGrow
This short poem was inspired by the classic poem - ‘Twas the night before Christmas and this magical scene at my friend’s home.
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After the “bumpy flight in the hot air balloon” - the cookie making tradition got off the ground. 😀 With Christmas music in the background and warm welcoming drinks - like Gluhwein in hand - the cookie making could really get started.
On this night - there was little comparison to the classic poem. There was a lot of stirring and it was not a mouse. Actually, it was the mixer whirling away.
However, it could also have been this year's cookie making team milling about. There were a total of 11 of us - it felt like a “girls” event. My daughters and I joined my friend and her 2 daughters and their best friends. As the saying goes, “Many hands make light work”.
Everyone chose their favourite task or rotated when someone needed a break. No stress.
- There was dough making beforehand so that it could chill,
- to rolling out the dough and cutting out shapes,
- to creatively decorating.
- Then placing the trays of cookies in the oven for baking.
- Removing the cookies from the oven for cooling then placing them on wire racks,
- to filling the Christmas cookie cans with freshly baked cookies.
What makes this tradition sweeter in a group are the shared stories. We nurtured existings bonds and made new connections. There were stories of past and current times. It was an opportunity to learn more about each other. All centred around making loads of cookies.
However, it depended on how ambitious we were: the number of tins/christmas plates to be filled for each person present plus how many will be gifted to friends.
The person rolling out the dough has the hardest task, in my opinion. The dough must be cold and should not dry out - otherwise it will crumble. As a result, chilled dough and additional flour is important for the best consistency.
The cookie cutters symbolise the spirit of christmas. There are reindeers, christmas stockings, candy canes, christmas trees, stars, gingerbread man etc. etc. It is a lot of fun to decorate cookies. Everyone can exercise their creativity - whether they have a little or a lot. It's a very satisfying process even before the finished product. 😀
An easy, simple (marginally reduced sugar) method was chosen - sprinkles etc. only. No icing was applied to the cookies. Indeed, the cookies would be even more decorative and pretty but then the sugar overload would be excessive. In addition, decorating with the colourful sprinkles occurred before baking and there is no further decorating afterwards.
The idea is to have fun and to get the trays full of decorated cut-out dough and into the oven. Amidst the chatter, laughter and Christmas music - there was still a method and good order to the process. Everything flowed well.
It was funny to hear my friend's daughter talk about making cookies all her life. E teased about her mother's favourites. They are cookies with red hots which have a very sharp cinnamon flavour.
Those red hots make a nice decoration for the christmas trees and the reindeer noses etc. The cookies are flavourful and chewy. As stories of Christmas past and more are shared, the scent of freshly baked cookies wafted through the house. It was very comforting and inviting.
Now for the fun part - a taste from the first batches. Yummy - delicious. The red hot toppings actually made the tastiest cookies. Sorry E- we know everyone’s palates are different. We tried to take only 1 cookie. Hmmm 😀 We had to ensure that we make cookies - not devour them immediately. We had cans to fill!
Luckily, the pizza arrived. Pizza? As this cookie making process takes us at least 6-8 hours - cookie making day has also become pizza eating day. Sustenance is needed during this process - it also balanced the earlier tasty Gluhwein. 😀
A brief history
First there were solstice traditions worldwide with food and offerings- then Christmas came and usurped it.
The tradition of Christmas cookie making dates back to medieval Europe. At a certain point, ingredients from exotic countries could be obtained and added: like cinnamon, nutmeg, almond etc. These ingredients were rare and expensive, so the use of them was once per year and that was during the Christmas season. During those times gifts shared were hand-made and usually were crafts and cookies.
First the cookies made were only round. Then tin cookie cutters were introduced in the late 17th century - so cookies took on a different shape(s).
Basic ingredients
It is amazing that so few ingredients come together so well. There are many ways to make sugar cookies (see the internet). Everyone will select their favourite recipe.
However, I will share the basic ingredients and steps.
Approximate measurements
230g softened butter and white sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoon vanilla
400g sifted flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Steps
1.Beat butter and sugar in the mixer until smooth
2.Add the egg and vanilla
3.Mix the flour and baking powder together. Then add gradually to the mixer.
4.Form dough in a ball and chill in the refrigerator until time for dough cutting and decorating.
5.Roll out the dough on a well floured surface.
6.Thereafter bake decorated cut out dough for 7-8 minutes on parchment baking paper at 190 to 200 degrees celsius.
7.Cool cookies on the baking sheets when just taken from the oven. After about 5 minutes - move them to the wire racks to further cool completely.
It is a happy time. It is hard not to be in this cheerful setting. The colourful sprinkles alone would make one cheerful. I do not think they had these during medieval times.
However, they had the same beautiful aromatic smell of baked cookies surrounding them. It is lovely that like the olden days at Christmas time, we can share cookies with friends and families or Santa and his reindeers.😀
Sweet treats - handmade with love - to enjoy throughout the Christmas season.
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All photos and video are my own