Holiday Baking

It's Christmastime and in kitchens everywhere people are baking, baking, baking.

This year I have three types of cookies on my holiday baking list.  They are...

1. Holly Cookies

These are basically glorified Rice Krispie Treats.  I have been making them for years and people love them, especially kids.   I make them by memory at this point but here's a recipe if you're interested.

2.  Fruitcake Cookies

This is my first year making them.  I got the recipe from Jessica at Stay-at-Homeista.  Don't let the name fool you.  These are fabulous.  I love that you can make the dough ahead and refrigerate it like store bought cookie dough to use later.  (That's what you're looking at above.)

3.  Snail Cookies

This is a basic Italian cookie (named for its shape, not the ingredients ;)  Snail cookies will forever remind me of my grandmother, aunt and mother.  Some recipes use anise but my family recipe does not.  I am including it below if you'd like to put them on your Christmas baking list:

Ingredients:
3 C flour
1/2 C sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
5 large eggs
1/2 C butter
2 tablespoons vanilla
sprinkles

Mix all together (I use the dough hook attachment on my Kitchenaid mixer.)  Then roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thick.  

Cut into strips the size of your forefinger.  Roll strips into a snail shape.  Bake on a well greased cookie sheet (or Silpat) in a 350 degree oven until golden brown.  (9-10 minutes)  Makes 56 cookies.

Make an icing with the juice of one orange and enough powdered sugar to absorb the juice.  Ice the cookies with a pastry brush.  Immediately sprinkle with pastel confettis.

So now that I've given you my list, I'd love to hear yours.  What are you baking this year?

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I'm so pleased that my grandmother's Snail Cookies have been featured over on A Southern Mother.  If you're looking for more great holiday cookie recipes,
check out her post HERE for some great ideas!