I thought I would do a post of a few of my favorite Christmas cookies. I did post the recipe for Deacon cookies but when I started my Christmas baking I realized it would be nice to add a few more. I know the basic recipe I use for my peanut butter kiss cookies can be found on the back of the Hershey kiss bag and I think I memorized it correctly, if not what I give below is a combo of what I remember from the bag, so a big thank you Hershey for such a good recipe.
Deacon Cookies are a family recipe that even those who don’t usually like to bake enjoy. They are a simple sugar cookie but so very yummy.
The last but certainly not least are called Christmas Snacks again these come from my family so I have no idea who to give credit to but I have seen some bars that look and taste a lot like my Christmas Snacks but they call them other names. What ever the name they are a really tasty treat.
Deacon Cookies:
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup of Shortening (I like use 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup shortening)
3 Eggs
3 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
2 1/2 Cups of Flour
In a large bowl cream together the sugar shortening and eggs then add you baking powder and flour. Mix together until you have a large ball. Put cookie dough in a container with a lid in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
When the dough has chilled place half of it on a flat floured surface. With floured rolling-pin roll out your dough until desired depth. Now the best part use any of your favorite cookie cutters and cut out your cookies and place them on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes.
When cooled you may ice them. I did an easy drizzle of icing on my tree in the picture.
Icing glaze:
1-2 Cups of Powder Sugar
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla
Milk ( add the milk slowly you just want enough to make it a glaze)
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies:
1/2 Cup of Butter Shortening
2/3 Cup of Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup of White Sugar
1/2 Cup of packed Brown Sugar
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla
1 Egg
2 Tablespoons of milk
1 1/2 Cup of Flour
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon of Salt
Extra white sugar to roll the balls in
Preheat oven to 375. Cream together the butter shortening, peanut butter then add both sugars, vanilla and egg. Cream together then add the remaining dry ingredients. (Unlike some peanut butter cookie dough this one does not need to be refrigerated.) Form into about 1 inch balls then roll in the extra white sugar, place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 when done let set for about 30 seconds then place unwrapped Hershey Kiss on each cookie. Let cool then enjoy and give away to those who will be so grateful to have your homemade cookies.
Christmas Snacks:
2 Cups of Graham Cracker Crumbs
14 ounce can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
12 Package of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 Cup of crushed Walnuts
1 Cup of Shredded Coconut
1/4 Cup of Sugar
1/2 Cup of Melted Butter
Preheat oven to 350 In a bowl add graham crackers, sugar and melted butter mix together then pour into a 13×9 pan press down making a graham cracker crust. Next spreading each layer of chocolate chips, nuts, coconut then pour the sweetened condensed milk over mixture put in over and bake for about 30-35 minutes until it is bubbly and slightly brown. When the Christmas Snacks are about half cooled down cut into bars.