Xmas Cookies

Extra butter or shortening does the trick every time. Makes the cookies taste rich and yummy... Merry Christmas!

Well I'm sure you'll get a ton of recipes so I wanted to suggest maybe cook them shorter than the directions say. Ovens vary and yours might just be too hot. Also, are your pans dark colored? If so that will make them cook faster too. I would suggest, even though it's a tiny bit more work it is totally worth it, to get a roll of parchment paper and cut a sheet to put on top of your cookie sheet before you put any dough on it. You can reuse the same paper for every batch of the same cookie, once I switch dough, I switch my paper. The parchment is much lighter in color and it's naturally non stick so the cookies bake much better, plus your pans aren't as difficult to clean up! Also take out the cookies as soon as they start to brown around the edges. The middles won't look done yet, but once they rest for a minute or two they will fall and be just fine. You might have to experiment a little bit, but I really think shorter cooking time and parchment paper might just be what you're looking for! ;) Good luck! Oh and I also like the ideas of baking muffins and breads too. I have a super yummy eggnog muffin recipe if you'd like it.

CHRISTmas cookies! Yum! Here is a website that has a recipe for cookies. They might not be CHRISTmasy, but they are simple and everyone loves them.
http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/funfetti-cookies/3bd6c62...

I have made these several times for get-togethers and they are always a hit. Just use Christmas colors for the icing. Yum!

Hi S.,

As an International high altitude food specialist, and seomeone who has been adjusting recipes to high altitude needs for almost 34 years----- I can help you, but would need the recipe to adjust accordingly. I have several tips for adjusting recipes on my site: www.themuffinlady.com

Also my high altitude cookbooks are available at a significant discount throughout the Holiday and beyond.
In the meantime:
Do NOT raise the temperature (all that does is increase the dry heat resulting in a dryer product. Some do raise the temp with success, others have found a moister product by not rising the temp. I have never raised the temp. on any of my products.)

increase flour by 1-2 T per cup (amount depends on recipe)
Increase liguid by 1-2 T per cup
Meausure sugar just to the bottom of the measuring cup line, but do not decrease it by 1-4 T.
Slightly decerase the leavening agents (B. soda/powder) by a smidgen by leaving a little indent in the ingredient when leveling the measuring spoon.
Use only large-extra large eggs.
For more indepth tips, see my site and books: Baking at High Altitude.

R./The Muffin Lady

And yes, in case you are wondering, my tips and recipes have helped many in WY and CO, as well as beyond our border.

I love this recipe for dried fruit cookies. I make them every year for Christmas because they are so pretty as gifts...they taste great too!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/dried-fruit...

VillageMom
www.ittakesavillagedallas.com

I've made these quite a few times during the holidays and really love them. http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/403/sparkling-butter-tof...

While searching for my landolakes cookies (above) I found these. They look adorable. Brownie pops. Even if the brownies you make get dried out, they'll probably taste great since you are going to re-moisten them and roll them into a ball. http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/403/sparkling-butter-tof...

Have you thought about making pumpkin bread or banana bread instead? Found a great pumpkin bread recipe online. Has about 1000 reviews and it has all 5/5 stars. I thought it was pretty good. We sliced it, put butter on top, and put it in the toaster oven. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pumpkin-Bread-IV/Detail.aspx

This doesn't answer your question but it is a cute idea! :)
Last year one of my neighbors brought over cookie dough on Christmas eve to make cookies for Santa.
So instead of making the cookies and them not turning out give them the dough and they can bake their own! (we ended up eating the dough :) )

This is one of my favorite cookie recipes:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

4 ½ C. Flour 2 (3.4oz) Pkg. instant Vanilla pudding mix
2 tsp. Baking Soda 4 Eggs
2 C. Shortening + 12 tsp water 2 tsp Vanilla
1 ½ C. Brown Sugar 4 C. Semisweet Chocolate Chips
½ C. White Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F. Stir together Flour and Baking Soda set aside.
Cream together butter, brown sugar & sugar in a large bowl. Beat in pudding mixes, stir in eggs and vanilla. Blend in flour mixture. Add chocolate chips.
Drop onto un-greased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Good Luck!

My mom makes the easiest "coconut cookies" in the world!

Bag of shredded coconut (not the flakes)
Can of condensed sweetened milk
1/2 bag of chocolate chips
1/2 bag of chopped walnuts

Preheat to 325 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
Mix everything in a bowl
Using a "heaped" tablespoon and place the mixture about 2" apart
Bake for 10-12 minutes (until the edges are brown)
Allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes and then moving them to a cooling rack until they harden

S.,
Try lowering your oven temperature 25 degrees, and always bake a test cookie to determine the baking time. Start with the minimum time for the recipe and add or subtract time accordingly. Have fun baking.

J.

My favorite peanut butter recipe:

Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie - Yes this is correct!
Ingredients
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine the peanut butter, white sugar and egg. Mix until smooth.
3. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 6 to 8 minutes. Do not overbake! These cookies are best when they are still soft and just barely brown on the bottoms.

As a note, before dropping the spoonfuls of dough on a baking sheet, I always roll them in sugar. After placing them on the baking sheet, I then press them lightly with a fork in a tic tac toe fashion then bake as normal.

I'm not much good at baking either, but recently I bought the Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix. These cookies are great and you can either make drop cookies or cut outs. Store them in an airtight container and they remain soft. It also helps to use parchment paper when baking to prevent cookies from sticking to the sheet.

I am not good at baking but I make candy like no bodies business. If you want me to I could give you a couple of my good recipes. they are easy and turn out great every time

The trader joes sugar cookie mix is DELICIOUS! Comes with everything you need but butter and an egg for $3.

Good luck!

My favorite PB cookie recipe:

3/4 c. PB (I use chunky because I like the extra texture, but you could use
creamy also)
1/2 c. Butter (room temp is best)
1 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
3 Tbs. Milk
1 Tbs. Vanilla
1 egg
1 3/4 c. flour
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 375. Combine PB, butter, sugar, milk & vanilla in lg bowl. Beat at med speed until well blended. Add egg. Beat until blended. Combine dry ingred. Add to PB mixture at low speed. Mix until blended. I scoop out each cookie with a cookie scoop. Then, I roll them in granulated sugar. Plase on parchment lined cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork in a crisscross pattern. Bake for 7-8 minutes, or just until set & just beginning to brown. Cool for 5 min on baking sheet & transfer to wire rack. Cool completely.

I usually make these at Christmas time and with a little extra special twist. After they cool completely, I will melt some good chocolate. Then, I will dip half of the cookie in chocolate. Then, let them cool & set. It makes them extra special & festive. Besides, who doesn't like PB & chocolate together!

We live at 4500 feet, and this is the exact recipe I use.
Good Luck! As with anything else in life, baking takes practice.

Shellie

Try cookscountrytv.com. They have some great recipes, but always underestimate the time. No matter how good the dough is, if the oven is off, it can screw everything up. Maybe get another thermometer to test out the oven temp? Also, just try a couple at a time until you figure out the right time for that cookie - then write it down!! I always forget that last step.