Holiday Cookie Mix in a Jar

There’s only one more week until Christmas, and if you need some last minute gift ideas, how about a Holiday Cookie Mix in a jar? This is really easy and fun activity to do with the kids, and everyone loves a homemade gift. My daughter, Leigh, put together most of these for me, and she had a blast! All you need is a few simple baking ingredients and a jar, and you can make a budget-friendly holiday gift for neighbors, teachers or anyone on your list. Happy holidays!

Hamentashen Cookies: A Purim Tradition

Hamentashen are triangle fruit cookies served and eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim which falls this year on March 20th for two days. They are recognizable for their three-cornered shape, a symbol of “Hamen”, a villain in the Purim story (who always wore a three cornered hat). The story of Hamen and Purim appears in the Biblical book of Esther. Purim is often celebrated by attending children’s carnival celebrations as well as the giving of food gifts to friends (including Hamentashen) and gifts to charity. The Hamentaschen shape is achieved by folding the sides of a circular piece of dough with a filling of apricot, prune, poppyseed strawberry, blackberry and even chocolate filled in the center. This recipe is wonderful, and kids love making and eating them.

Note: This recipe was given to me from a friend which she found on Allrecipes.

My Favorite Cookies: Alison’s Cowgirl Cookies

Who isn’t looking for an awesome cookie recipe? The only problem I had with these was trying to give them a name. They are filled with my favorites: peanut butter, chocolate chips, crispy rice cereal (Rice Krispies), and they are fabulous. We were loving them when they came out of the oven, and my daughter took some to school, and she said kids were almost fighting over them. Try them, and you will see exactly what I mean.

Southern Tea Cakes Cookies

When I worked at Southern Living magazine, we often tested Tea Cake recipes and served them with fresh homemade lemonade. It’s a traditional Southern delight. This was the first time I ever made Tea Cakes, and the raw cookie dough is almost as delicious as the baked cookie. This recipe is really easy, awesome, and my kids and neighbors loved them!

Christmas and Holiday Mini Chocolate Cookies

If you’re looking for the easiest cookie ever, look no further. With just a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, you can make these cookies with ease. Whether you’re having guests over for the holidays, want to make a holiday snack or headed to a cookie swap, this recipe makes plenty and is sure to please (also kids go nuts over them). They are so small that you won’t feel any guilt eating more than one or two. Feel free to add extra chocolate chips if you like.

Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 12 minutes

Yield: 4 dozen

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups or 1 (12-ounce) package semisweet mini morsels

1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)

Powdered sugar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.

2. Beat butter, sugar, vanilla extract and salt in large mixer bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in flour; stir in morsels and nuts. Shape level tablespoons of dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets.

3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are set and lightly browned. Remove from oven. Sift powdered sugar over hot cookies on baking sheets. Cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar, if desired. Store in airtight containers.

Easiest Christmas Cookies Ever-Gingerbread Cookies

These are the easiest gingerbread cookies ever. My daugther, Leigh, and son, Zachary made these all on their own. We used the Pillsbury slice and bake gingerbread cookie dough (found in your refrigerator section of your local grocery store), and everyone thought they were made from scratch. Purchase colored sprinkles, icing or decorator crystals for your kids to decorate, and they will have a blast.