Baking Christmas Cookies
Baking Christmas cookies is all about sharing. Sharing time in the kitchen with your children and sharing your creations with family and friends. Why not spread a little more cheer by sharing cookies with other folks who would appreciate some attention and goodies? Taking treats to an elderly friend, a nursing home or day care center will be a holiday experience the whole family will enjoy and one that might become a holiday tradition.
Make a Plan
Get the kids involved in the planning, baking, and giving so everyone feels like they have made a contribution to your holiday cookie project.
- Select recipients – in addition to family members, think about those in your community in need of some holiday cheer— day care centers, nursing homes, a charity or organization where a visit and a treat would be appreciated – are all options. Make sure it is okay to visit or bring food before you go.
- Pick out recipes that will be fun to make and easy to carry. Drop cookies, bar cookies, and even cut-out cookies are all good choices. Avoid anything too gooey or delicate. Keep in mind the age and expertise of the bakers; don't choose recipes that are too complicated.
- Decide on packaging or containers. Plastic bags, tins, and waxed paper lined boxes can all be decorated with stickers or tied with a ribbon for an inexpensive presentation.
- Plan a day for baking. Make sure you have all the ingredients, get in the kitchen, and have fun.
- Plan your delivery time. If you can't devote several hours to baking and distributing the same day, most cookies will be fine for delivery within a day or two, or may be frozen for several weeks.
Cookie Exchange for Charity
Another good Christmas project for young people or adults is to plan something similar to a cookie exchange. Everyone brings a big batch of his or her favorite cookies. But rather than exchanging and taking the cookies home, you and your friends can pack up nice assortments and take them to a charitable organization. Of course, while you are packing and visiting, you will all want to sample the cookies, so bring copies of the recipes for everyone.
Cookie Recipes to Share
If you are going to bake with young folks, cut-out cookies are always fun. Buttery Sugar Cookies is a great recipe to add to your box. It is a delicious, easy-to-handle dough that you will use often for all those seasonal cut outs. Remember the secret to the delicious flavor of these cookies is real butter and good vanilla. Easy Double Chocolate Chip Cookies feature a delicious combination of semi-sweet and white chocolate chips and are unbelievably simple because you start with a chocolate chip muffin mix. We've also included an easy variation – Chocolate Cherry Walnut Cookies – that is distinctive and delicious.
Bar cookies like Fabulous Scotchies are always good choices when there isn't a lot of time, because one pan can be cut into lots of bars and they travel well. This classic combination of butter, brown sugar, and pecans is sure to be a favorite of those on your gift list.