Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are one of my favorite cookies... but I am really picky about what kind. I personally like soft ones (not hard) that don't have a strong cream of tarter/baking soda taste and I don't really care for store bought. I have tried a lot of recipes over the years (I lost this one for awhile and was trying to find a new good one) and I always come back to these. I have also included my favorite frosting.

PS If you don't feel like rolling them out...Make the dough and immediately roll into balls. Place the balls on the cookie sheet and then take a cup and dip the bottom of the cup in a bowl of sugar and then use the cup to press down the cookies. Bake like normal. Still able to frost and still delicious.
Submitted by Shelly

Deluxe Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 t vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar

Mix butter and confectioner's sugar till smooth. Add egg and vanilla. Blend in flour, soda, and cream of tartar. Cover and chill 2-3 hours. Preheat oven to 375. Divide dough in half. Roll each half 3/16 inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 7-8 minutes or until very light brown on edge (do not over cook or they will be crunchy)

Makes about 5 dozen 2 inch cookies

Butter Frosting

1/3 cup butter
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
milk
food coloring (optional)

1. Beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in the 1/4 cup milk and the vanilla.
2. Slowly beat in remaining powdered sugar. Beat in additional milk if needed to get spreading consistency. Add food coloring if desired.

Wassail

4 stars
Submitted By Shelly

Boil the following ingredients together for 15 minutes and then put in crockpot to keep warm till ready to serve:

5 qt water
2 Tablespoons all spice
3-4 cinnamon sticks
1 gallon apple cider
12 oz frozen concentrate orange juice
12 oz frozen concentrate lemonade
2-3 cups sugar

*This recipe makes a lot.  When I made it for a Christmas party at our house I made a 1/4 batch twice and it was a good amount for 10 adults and 14 kids.

1/4 recipe

5 cups water

1/2 Tablespoons all spice

1 cinnamon sticks

1/4 gallon apple cider

1/3 cup frozen concentrate orange juice

1/3 cup frozen concentrate lemonade

3/4 cup sugar

Christmas Pecans

These pecans have become one of our favorite traditional Christmas treats.

submitted by chris
5 stars

1 egg white

1 tablespoon water
1 pound pecan halves
1 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Grease one baking sheet.
2. In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
3. Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake at 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.