Christmas cookie recipes

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

Here are three holiday recipes that would tempt Scrooge

Raspberry-Filled Almond Cookies

These mouth-watering cookies are made with a cream cheese cookie dough rolled in coarsely ground almonds, and then filled with a dab of seedless raspberry jam. Or, substitute candied cherry halves for the filling. They are delicious either way. A definite must have for any lit of Christmas cookie recipes.

INGREDIENTS:

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1 cup (8 ounces) butter, softened 1 small package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 egg yolk 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sift before measuring 4 ounces slivered or blanched almonds Seedless raspberry jam

PREPARATION:

In a mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth; slowly beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and flavorings. Stir flour into the creamed mixture just until blended. Shape into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Heat oven to 350°. Grease a cookie sheet or line with silicone mat or parchment paper. In a food processor, pulse almonds until coarsely ground.

Shape dough into small balls; roll in the ground almonds and place on prepared baking sheet. With a finger, press on each ball of cookie dough, making an indentation. With a 1/4-teaspoon measuring spoon, drop a bit of the raspberry jam in each indentation.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned and filling is bubbling. Makes about 4 dozen cookies. Cool on racks and store in airtight container.

Old-Fashioned Walnut Balls

Always tops on the list of Christmas cookie recipes.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup butter • 1/3 cup brown sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 2 cups flour, sifted • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 2 cups finely chopped walnuts • powdered sugar

PREPARATION:

Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Sift flour and salt together; add to creamed mixture. Mix well; stir in walnuts. Shape dough into walnut-sized balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

Remove from cookie sheet with spatula. When still warm but cool enough to handle, roll in powdered sugar. Makes about 4 dozen, depending on size. ~Lemon Snowballs

A delightful, light cookie to add to your Christmas cookie recipes list.

INGREDIENTS:

• ¼ cup shortening • ¼ cup butter • 2/3 cup granulated sugar • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest • 1 egg • 3 tablespoons lemon juice • 1 tablespoon water • 1 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour • 1/4 teaspoon soda • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans • 1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar

PREPARATION:

Cream butter, shortening, and sugar until light; beat in lemon zest and egg. Stir in lemon juice and water. Sift together the flour, soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Stir into the first mixture. Stir in chopped pecans.

Flour hands and shape dough into small balls. Place balls about 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes in a preheated 350° oven. Cookies should be browned on the bottom, but not on top. Immediately remove hot cookies from the baking sheet and roll in confectioners’ sugar. Like our other Christmas cookie recipes, this Lemon Snowball recipe makes about 3 to 4 dozen cookies.

Christmas cookies make wonderful gifts, and cookie baking and decorating is a special event for many families. Most baked cookies can be frozen decorated or undecorated, or you can freeze your cookie dough now for baking and decorating just before the holidays. Enjoy your holidays, and enjoy these easy to make Christmas cookie recipes! Lemon Snowballs

A delightful, light cookie to add to your Christmas cookie recipes list.

INGREDIENTS:

PREPARATION: