Christmas Cookies

Well, I baked my first batch of Christmas Cookies today....Melt-In Your Mouth Shortbread.

I made a single batch and got about 3 dozen out of it.
Easiest recipe EVER- no joke- 3 ingredients. If you want to add a teaspoon of Vanilla or Almond or Orange or Lemon flavoring you can- but the recipe doesn't actually call for it.
(And, yes, you know I added a spoonful of vanilla to it.)

Anyway....
10 mins prep time.
At the MOST 15 minutes cook time.
5 minutes cool time and they're ready to eat.

Here's the recipe.

1 cup butter, softened.....(not margarine spread stuff!!!)
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar-(yes only a half cup!!!!)
2 cups all-purpose flour (measure then sift)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)

2. Whip butter with an electric Mixer until fluffy.(about 2 minutes). Stir in the confectioners sugar and flour. Beat on low speed for 1 minute- then on high speed for 3-4 minutes.

3. Drop by teaspoonful 2 inches apart on an un-greased cookie sheet.

4. Bake 12 -15 minutes in preheated oven. Watch that the edges don't brown too much. Cool for about 5 minutes. Remove from pan.
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Next time I make them I'm using a pastry bag and large star tip to get some pretty shapes.

Now to be honest- I made some green glaze frosting to decorate mine with and they were WAY too sweet with it on them. I'm glad I only glazed a dozen of them before I tested them.

If you want them decorated- try tinting the dough with red or green food coloring while you're mixing the batter or putting a few sprinkles on top of them before they go in the oven. MUCH better than the sugar glaze.

I also make a Mint Brownie that's awesome- but all you do to that is add some peppermint flavoring and a bit of green tint to a tub of ready-made vanilla frosting, heat it in the microwave for about 30 seconds and then glaze it over your favorite brownies.
Easy-peasy.

I wanted to make a gingerbread house this year- but I don't think that'll get done for SURE now.

I need a nap- and it's only 11AM....Geeze.