Snickerdoodle Cookies

Snickerdoodle Cookies are another one of my favorite holiday cookies.
They're light, fluffy, and the perfect combination of cinnamon-sugary. Yum.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups white flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees Farenheit.
2. Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, the butter, shortening and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, cream of tartar,
baking soda and salt. I also like to add cinnamon to the dough, but the original recipe doesn't call for this. It adds a little more cinnamon flavor which I love!
3. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls in cinnamon sugar
mixture. Place 2 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
Makes 4 dozen cookies
adapted from the Betty Crocker recipe

Do you have a favorite holiday cookie?

Spice Cookies

There's nothing better than homemade cookies around the holidays. Growing up, my mom would make various cookies this time of year. The kitchen counters would be covered in cookies. We would give them out to teachers, friends, and neighbors. Mom still makes them, but I've definitely continued the tradition in my house.
Spice cookies were always the most popular, and the ones I always make sure to bake. They're always a hit when I bring them to work parties and I've given the recipe out countless times. 
Now it's time to share it with all of you! Enjoy!

Spice Cookies

Makes 3 dozen cookies

12tbs. butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup molasses
2 and 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
sugar for coating

1. Cream the butter and sugar. Add egg and molasses and blend well.

2. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices and beat them into the mixture. 

3. Chill dough for about 20 minutes.

4. Form the batter into balls about the size of a walnut, roll them in the extra sugar and place on an ungreased baking sheet.

5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated 350 degree oven. Careful not to overcook! 

6. Let cool completely before serving. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container and stored on your counter, but I doubt they'll last long enough to necessitate that. Enjoy!