Baking Christmas cookies for the holiday has been a family tradition for decades. Although every family has their own favorites they make every year, it’s nice to try a few new ones once in a while.
These recipes for Cowboy Macaroons and Gumdrop Cookies are two you may like to add to your family’s favorites. They’re colorful and delicious, making them a great choice to serve for the holidays.
COWBOY MACAROONS
1 cup butter-flavored shortening (or butter)
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups quick-cooking oats (not instant or old-fashioned)
1 cup corn flakes
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 cup flake coconut
1/2 cup maraschino cherries, cut into quarters (optional)
Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking sheet. Combine butter-flavored shortening or butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Beat at medium with an electric mixer until well-blended.
Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Mix into creamed mixture at low speed until just blended.
Stir in oats, corn flakes and nuts with spoon. Stir in coconut and cherries.
Form dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until set.
Cool 1 minute on baking sheet before removing to cooling rack. Makes about 3-4 dozen cookies.
GUMDROP COOKIES
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup gumdrops, chopped
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Blend butter and sugars. Beat in milk and vanilla; set aside.
Stir together flour and baking powder; blend into butter mixture.
Stir in chopped gumdrops. Shape dough into two, 14-inch rolls. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill thoroughly. Cut into 1/4-inch slices; arrange on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 10 minutes. Makes about 3-4 dozen cookies.
Brotherton offers website readers one stellar recipe a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature. Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email me at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and I’ll see if I have it.
