DIY Saturday #129 ? Last-Minute Christmas Cookie Recipes for Giving

Entry #1953, December 22, 2012

Happy DIY Saturday! 3 more days until Christmas, do you still have some people on your gift list that you are frantically trying to find a gift for? Why not bake up a batch of cookies for your neighbors, friends and family? Here are a few recipes that are sure to make perfect gifts this holiday season!

If you are planning to have something bite-size food treats this coming holiday, try the delicious chewy molasses-spice cookies as your dessert. This chewy cookie will definitely provide a sumptuous treat to your guests? discriminating taste. The preparation is quick and the process is so easy.

Molasses Christmas Cookies

Image and recipe via: Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup molasses

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Then, in a shallow bowl, place 1/2 cup sugar; set aside for a couple of minutes.
2. With an electric mixer, beat butter and remaining cup of sugar until combined. Beat in egg and then molasses until combined. Reduce speed to low and then gradually mix in dry ingredients, just until a dough forms.
3. Pinch off and roll dough into balls, each equal to 1 tablespoon. Roll balls in reserve sugar to coat.
4. Arrange balls on baking sheets, about 3 inches apart. Bake, one sheet at a time, until edges of cookies are just firm, 10 to 15 minutes (cookies can be baked two sheets at a time, but they will not crackle uniformly). Cool 1 minute on baking sheets; transfer to racks to cool completely.

Although it is chewy at the center but then the edges are deliciously crispy. It is a unique and tasty combination that you can?t wait to have a second bite. You can store this in an airtight container for up to four days. Finish the presentation with red and gold lace to fit the season. This can be a great gift idea for your friends and loved ones.

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honey-orange-ginger-cookies

Image and recipe via: Southern Living

Ingredients

2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 large egg
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

1.?? ?Preheat oven to 350?. Beat sugar and butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy. Add honey, orange extract, and egg, beating until blended. Stir together flour, orange zest, ground ginger, baking soda, and baking powder; gradually add to sugar mixture, beating until blended. Cover and chill 30 minutes to 1 hour. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets, and slightly flatten each with bottom of a glass. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely on wire racks (about 20 minutes).

For more Christmas cookie recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

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Source: http://stagetecture.com/2012/12/diy-saturday-129-last-minute-christmas-cookie-recipes-for-giving/

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