Time to start baking!

by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett


Have you started your holiday baking?  I got an early start this year because I asked my brother what he wanted for Thanksgiving dessert. He didn't hesitate to answer: CUT-OUT COOKIES!

Of course, I used my favorite cookie recipe, and it's one that the Cozy Chicks used on a promotional postcard. Sadly, they're all gone now, but I kept one for me. But I'm happy to share it with you now. Personally, if using almond extract, I double the amount. (And tossing in a little vanilla extract won't hurt, either.)


(If you want to make a copy, put your mouse on the recipe snd right click; when the little menu comes up, choose SAVE AS.)

I didn't decorate all of them. They freeze really well (and for a LONG time. A couple of years ago, I forgot there was a container of them in my freezer and didn't eat them until a year later. They still tasted GOOD.)

As for icing them, I use a really simple recipe:

Ingredients
2 cups powdered sugar sifted
6-8 teaspoons milk
4 teaspoons corn syrup*
1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
food coloring optional

Instructions
Sift powdered sugar into a medium bowl. Add 6 teaspoons milk, corn syrup, and extract. Stir vigorously until icing is smooth.
If needed, add additional milk to thin icing more. You've reached the correct consistency for frosting if a scoop of icing slowly falls off the spoon. If making colored icing, divide into bowls and add food coloring.

Note: I didn't have any corn syrup (and honestly, do you actually NEED more sugar?) and the icing turned out fine.

Here's a batch I made.  My brother pronounced them "Yummy!" (Yes, he actually said that.)

What's your favorite holiday cookie?