Christmas Baking

[3weddings]

Yes, I am 'in mode'. There are only 50 some odd days left to Christmas, and only 20 or so before cookies exchanges start, and gifts are sent.

Do you have a personal favourite recipe you bake anually? Please share it. If you have photos even better!!!

Can't wait to get my books out!!!

[DonnyFenn]

I'm still digging for the loose-paper recipe I printed out a couple years ago, so I'll post it when I find it.. Triple gingerbread biscotti :D Minced fresh ginger, chopped crystal ginger, and powdered ginger, as well as fancy molassess and other confectionary spices making it taste like real gingerbread! Last year I made a triple batch (9 cups of flour!) and it still didn't last, so this year I'll be starting with a quadruple batch, lol. I think I'll use a rubbermaid tote to mix it in!:lol:

[3weddings]

Sounds yummy!!!! And it would look amazing in a tin!! :cheesygri

My annuals
Cheese Straws
Shortbread, off course
The kids' fave, Sugar Cookies
Hazelnut Orange Cookies
Stollen (I am German after all :cheesygri)

I am looking for something different.....but what?

[Dr Butcher]

My family does an amazing whipped shortbread, when they're baked they literally melt in your mouth.

Actually, I did a quick Google search and these are exactly what ours look like. Try and get them before the bottom browns, a hint of gold on the bottom is all you're after:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Whipped-Shortbread-Cookies-2/Detail.aspx

I will see if our recipe is the same as this.

[3weddings]

My family does an amazing whipped shortbread, when they're baked they literally melt in your mouth.

Actually, I did a quick Google search and these are exactly what ours look like. Try and get them before the bottom browns, a hint of gold on the bottom is all you're after:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Whipped-Shortbread-Cookies-2/Detail.aspx

I will see if our recipe is the same as this.

I like one of the suggestions about dipping them in chocolate and crushed candy cane !!! Yummmmmmm

I have been using the Chatelaine one for a few years now, a lot more ingredients. I think I will give the whipped one a shot this year too!

3/4 cup (175 mL) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup (125 mL) icing sugar
1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
1-1/3 cups (325 mL) all-purpose flour

1. Preheat oven to 300F (150C). In a medium-size bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter until smooth. Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and salt. Using a wooden spoon, stir in flour just until mixed.

2. Scrape dough into an ungreased 8-inch (2-L) square baking dish. Lightly flour fingers. Pat mixture to an even thickness. Using a fork, lightly prick dough every 1 inch (2.5 cm). Bake in lower third of preheated 300F (150C) oven until edges are deep golden and centre is lightly golden, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven.

[Keelie]

if your looking for something different, pick up the special 'cookies' issue of fine cooking.
after reading through it, i am making ALL new recipes this year :lol:
there are some amazing looking recipes!

the two i usually always make are shortbread cookies and butter tarts.

here is a link to all the recipes in the 'cookies' issue, but you cant get access to all the recipes unless you are a member.

i'm making these ones:
rugelach <-this looks soooooo good
nutty caramel thumbprints
bourbon balls, i dont see these on the list, but they sound amazing!!

along with those i'm making some squares, and i think that will be more than enough!!

[Grassgreen]

My wife makes an amazing brown sugar shortbread.

I'll see if she'll pass the recipe along!

[CSK'sMom]

I like one of the suggestions about dipping them in chocolate and crushed candy cane !!! Yummmmmmm


OMG! Yes Steph! Our oldest made piped shortbreads a few weeks ago at school and they were dipped and drizzles with chocolate. To Die For! He's had to make them for us at least once a week since, LOL! He bought a 25 lb box of milk chocolate wafers for melting, but he wants to try some candy making as well. He's looking for a good macadamian nut/white chocolate chunk recipe at the moment because he also bought a 10 lb block of white chocolate and 25 lbs of both raisins and SS chocolate chips. He says he's doing all the Christmas baking this year.

I'll get his shortbread recipe from him tomorrow and dig out my cookie cookbook for some suggestions and recipes to pass along. :)

[funkyfr3sh_]

OMG! Yes Steph! Our oldest made piped shortbreads a few weeks ago at school and they were dipped and drizzles with chocolate. To Die For! He's had to make them for us at least once a week since, LOL! He bought a 25 lb box of milk chocolate wafers for melting, but he wants to try some candy making as well. He's looking for a good macadamian nut/white chocolate chunk recipe at the moment because he also bought a 10 lb block of white chocolate and 25 lbs of both raisins and SS chocolate chips. He says he's doing all the Christmas baking this year.

I'll get his shortbread recipe from him tomorrow and dig out my cookie cookbook for some suggestions and recipes to pass along. :)

OMG, Can I come live with you?

I can't wait until Christmas cookie time. MMMMMMMMMM....so good yet so bad! haha

[Keelie]

OMG! Yes Steph! Our oldest made piped shortbreads a few weeks ago at school and they were dipped and drizzles with chocolate. To Die For! He's had to make them for us at least once a week since, LOL! He bought a 25 lb box of milk chocolate wafers for melting, but he wants to try some candy making as well. He's looking for a good macadamian nut/white chocolate chunk recipe at the moment because he also bought a 10 lb block of white chocolate and 25 lbs of both raisins and SS chocolate chips. He says he's doing all the Christmas baking this year.

I'll get his shortbread recipe from him tomorrow and dig out my cookie cookbook for some suggestions and recipes to pass along. :)

I wish I could get someone to do my christmas baking!!

[CSK'sMom]

LOL! Sure funky, as long as you don't mind packing on the pounds. He bought all that stuff at wholesale pricing from a wholesaler on the Ontario Food Terminal. Hubby works on the Terminal. ;) And Keelie, you just have to raise a kid that has a passion for the kitchen and plans to make it his career. :D My biggest problem is actually giving up control in the kitchen, it's my domain and always has been. It's hard handing over the reigns. :|

[CSK'sMom]

Ok guys, here's our son's piped shortbread recipe. Because it's a professional style recipe it's all weights so unless you have a food scale you may not be able to use this recipe.

455 grams Butter
115 grams Icing Sugar
5ml lemon extract
455 grams all purpose flour

Cream butter, icing sugar and lemon extract until light and creamy. Sift flour and blend into above ingredients. Pipe approximately 30-36 cookies directly onto a greased baking sheet (or use parchment paper). Bake cookies at 190C for approximately 10 minutes or until just barely colored. Cool on baking sheet.

The chocolate used for dipping or drizzling is just chocolate wafers designed for melting/candy making.