Question of the Day: Sunday, November 25

You know, I just realized today that I forgot the question of the day last Sunday! Sorry about that!! Last weekend was so nice DH and I spent most of it outside trying to get the addition under roof and it completely slipped my mind. But, I remembered it today!

Anyway, this week I'm getting my shopping list together for Christmas baking. I usually make chocolate chip, peanut butter, peanut butter with the hershey kisses, sugar cookies, sometimes Russian tea cookies (thumb print cookies), and this year I found a yummy recipe for cranberry lemon sugar cookies that I'm dying to try! I want to start next weekend so I can send some in my SS package.

So, today's question is: Do you bake for Christmas? If so, what do you make and when do you start?

Neither of us eats much in the way of sweets (DH watches his weight, and I don't really have a sweet tooth), so I usually just make some chocolate chip cookies and if we're expecting company some oatmeal cookies or brownies two or three days before Christmas.

I'll be starting in on my baking this week as I pretty much have everything I need for baking, except for a container of Crisco. Primarily cookies, all kinds of cookies, but I also like to make almond brittle, some fudge, some homemade marshmallows and (maybe, but maybe...not sure yet) some gumdrops. Snickerdoodles, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate crinkles, brown sugar and cinnamon biscotti, orange-cranberry biscotti, sugar cut-out cookies, lemon cookies, peanut butter sandwich cookies, and coconut drops (with a maraschino cherry half in each cookie). I really think that will be it for this year. Oh, and I always make miniature lemon cakes to give to friends in their cookie boxes. And some orange-pineapple mini muffins for the boxes, too. And I have to make a Honey Bun Cake for my buddy's box.....he's been one of my dearest friends for years now; he's a pastor with a small church in northwestern Minnesota. (I make him a Honey Bun Cake every year for his cookie box and then for his birthday.)

Would you please share your cranberry lemon sugar cookie recipe??

Not at all.  Any premade cookie dough gets eaten R-A-W lmao.
 

We usually make fudge and some kind of cookies. We usually do it a few days before Christmas.

Winchester said:

Would you please share your cranberry lemon sugar cookie recipe??

Click to expand...

Sure thing!

Cranberry Lemon Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup white sugar

1 cup butter

1 egg, lightly beaten

3 tablespoons cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 c. cranberries (frozen or fresh)

2 tsbps. lemon extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) .

2. Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.

3. Cut in butter and blend with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Stir in lightly beaten egg, vanilla and cream. Add cranberries and lemon extract.

4. Drop by spoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar.

5. Bake for 6 - 8 minutes, or until lightly brown.

Here's another one I'm thinking of making instead...it sounds easier:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 large egg

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons grated lemon zest

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup cranberries, dried

Preparation

1Preheat oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper (or silpats) and set aside.

2In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until combined. Add egg and beat to combine. Beat in sour cream.

3In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the cranberries and lemon zest; stir to combine. Add to the butter mixture, beating to combine.

4Drop dough by level teaspoonfuls onto baking sheets. Leave 1 1/2 inches between cookies. Bake until puffed and golden around the edges, about 15 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and remove to rack to cool completely.

5Makes about 12 dozen cookies.

I haven't decided yet mainly because my kitchen is tiny, but I may make some cheese scones, cherry scones, chocolate crispy cakes, and if I'm feeling really adventurous I might make some savoury mince pies none of those yucky sweet ones though

Thanksgiving is my big baking holiday, but I do make lots and lots of chocolate chip cookies for Christmas.