Christmas

Jingle bells, Jingle bells, jingle all the way! Christmas is just around the corner, so start wrapping those presents! Ok, so maybe I am exaggerating. Christmas is 3 weeks away, but for a 10 year old, it seems like forever. I love Christmas. Who doesn't, you get free gifts! But of course, with every holiday comes an important meaning, and this one is most important of all. The birth of little baby Jesus is what made the holiday.

I have a few Christmas traditions that I try to follow, like Christmas cookies. You just can't have Christmas without cookies! Well, you can, it just won't be as good. Here is the recipe I use for successful Christmas smiles:

Rich Rolled Sugar Cookies ( this recipe can also be found in Joy Of Cooking )

Beat on medium speed until fluffy and blended:
1/2 pound ( 2 sticks ) of butter, softened
2/3 of a cup sugar
Add and beat until well combined:
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 of a teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Stir in until well blended and smooth:
2 1/3 cups all purpose flour

Divide the dough in half. Place each half between 2 sheets of wax or parchment paper. Roll out to a scant 1/4 an inch thick, checking the underside of the dough and smoothing any creases. Keeping the paper in place, layer the rolled dough on a baking sheet and refrigerate until cold and slightly firm but not hard, 20 to 30 minutes.
Position a rack in the upper third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease cookie sheets.

Cut out cookies into desired shapes, and place on cookie sheets. Bake for six to nine minutes, cool, and enjoy!

I hope you too find success with this recipe. I did.

Maddie