Gingerbread Men Cookies

Nothing says it's the holiday season like making and decorating roll-out cookies. Because of the refrigeration time, these cookies are not fast. But what they lack in speediness they gain in flavor. Originating from the spice giant McCormick these cookies pack a ginger punch like none other I have tried. These cookies also make a great addition to the family gingerbread house decorating because they are edible. We like to decorate with almond flavored buttercream icing.

Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 5 hours
Servings: 2 dozen
Source: McCormick

Ingredients

Flour, 3 cups
Ginger, ground, 2 tsp
Cinnamon, ground, 1 tsp
Baking soda, 1 tsp
Nutmeg, ground, 1/4 tsp
Salt, 1/4 tsp
Butter, 3/4 cups (1 1/2 sticks)
Brown sugar, firmly packed, 3/4 cup
Molasses, 1/2 cup
Egg, 1
Vanilla extract, 1 tsp

Directions

1. In a large bowl mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. set aside.
2. Beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla. Mix well.
4. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed.
5. Press dough into a thick flat disc. Cover in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
6. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
7. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just beginning to brown.
8. Cool on baking sheets one to two minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
9. Decorate as desired once cool.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Fudge

LSO and I are trying out a new variation of our fudge. It was requested several years ago and I have finally mustered the confidence to make an attempt. I am envisioning a peanut butter swirl through the fudge, chocolate with just a hint of peanut butter.

These are just a few of the links I found doing my research. Some suggested real peanut butter and some called for peanut butter chips. Between the three of them I am hopeful we can come up with a good result.

Cooks.com
Food Network
All Recipes.com

Seven Layer Cookies

My Aunt brought these cookies to my dorm at UD. It was the perfect thing to keep me jolly through finals week. They still remain an easy and cheap ($10) holiday gift.

Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 1 hour
Servings: A Crowd
Source: Kitty’s Aunt

Ingredients

Butter, 1 stick
Semi-sweet chocolate chips, 6 oz (1 cup)
Butterscotch chips, 6 oz (1 cup)
Sweetened Condensed Milk, 1 can (14 oz)
Graham cracker, 1 cup crushed
Pecans, ½ cup, chopped
Coconut, 1 cup

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Melt butter and place in 12 X 9 inch pan.
3. Spread graham crackers crumbs on butter.
4. Follow with coconut, chocolate chips, and butterscotch in that order.
5. Drizzle condensed milk over the mixture taking care to fully coat the pan.
6. Sprinkle pecans over the top. Do not mix.
7. Bake at 350 for 25 mins. Once cool cut into squares.

Gingered White Chocolate Biscotti

Recipe Summary
Time: 80 mins
Servings: 24 cookies
Source: Pensezies

Ingredients
All purpose flour, 2 cups
Sugar, 2/3 cup
Crystalized Ginger, 2 Tbs, minced
Baking soda, 1 tsp.
Salt, 1/2 tsp.
White chocolate bar, 4 oz, finely chopped
Vanilla extract, 1 tsp.
Eggs, 2
Egg white, 1
Vegetable cooking spray

Directions

1. Combine flour, sugar, ginger, baking soda, salt, and chocolate in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, combine vanilla, eggs, and egg white. Add flour to egg mixture stirring until blended (dough will be dry).
3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 7 or 8 times until it holds together.
4. Shape dough into a 16 X 3 inch roll. Place roll on greased baking sheet and flatten to a 1 inch thickness. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
5. Remove roll from baking sheet to a wire rack and let cool for 3 to 5 mins. Slice while still warm.
6. Gently cut the roll diagonally to make approx. 24 (1/2 inch) slices. Place slices cut side down on a baking sheet. Broken pieces may be pushed back together and baked.
7. Reduce oven temp to 325 and bake for 10 mins.
8. Turn the cookies over and bake for another 10 mins.
9. Remove and place on a wire rack to cool. Cookies will be slightly soft but will harden upon cooling.

Notes

1. To keep these crunchy it is necessary to place them in an airtight container such as a ziplock bag. I placed them in my cookie jar and they were soft after 3 days.
2. These make wonderful gifts for coffee and tea lovers.
3. Toasted almonds and sliced strawberries may also be used as a garnish.