Christmas Cookies Made Easy and Fun!.
Does the phrase “cookie exchange” make you cringe?
Do you think holiday baking is best left up to the bakery at the local grocery store?
Or, are you one of those who used to have time for baking, but are now the parents of toddlers?
Parents of young children, listen up!
There’s a way to sweep in and save the day with a simple holiday cheat that will fill your house with the scents of baking cookies, and smiling faces.
Her name is Betty Crocker. And she has some tricks up her sleeve.
A few added ingredients can turn simple sugar cookies into delectable delights. And it’s just this easy:
For the Cookies – shop for:
• Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix
• Butter
• Egg
• Almond Extract
Follow the directions on the back of the cookie mix for “Cookie Cutters.” It makes the dough a bit more malleable for little hands. While combining the ingredients, add in 1 teaspoon of Almond Extract. This simple trick transcends the average “ho hum” sugar cookie into bliss, when bedecked with the simple butter-cream frosting recipe:
For the Frosting – have on hand:
• 1 lb powdered Sugar
• Milk
• Butter
• Vanilla Extract
• Food Coloring
• Sprinkles
Mix together:
1 lb powered sugar
¼ cup milk
½ cup butter, softened but not melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
The consistency should be creamy. If it’s watery, add more powdered sugar. If it’s crumbly, add milk a few drops at a time.
You can color up your cookie dough, your frosting, or both with the festive colors of Christmas time. Roll out your dough on a large cutting board or counter top – making sure you dust it with a healthy handful of flour. No rolling pin? No problem. Tear off tiny balls of dough. Flattened with thumbprints, they make yummy cookies, and are even more fun for the little ones.
Pick up fun cookie cutter shapes for the season: stars, candy canes, trees, wreaths, stockings, or gingerbread men – less than a dollar at some big-box stores!
And the best holiday baking tip for any parent of young children? Bite the bullet and let the little ones help out with the cookie cutting and decorating. Little hands can get very creative with the decorating, though things move quicker if mom or dad frosts the cookies for sprinkling.
• Place red-hot candies, colored sugar and holiday sprinkles in tiny bowls for easy pick ups.
• Place trays in front of each child for a “tiny work station” and watch their creative genius start to flow.
And, of the flour and powdered sugar that now frosts your kitchen countertops, floor, and table? Take a deep breath and grab the dust mop. Pretend it’s snowing! Remember what it was like to see Christmas like a child.
You’ll be amazed how eyes light up when they’re actually allowed to make a mess.
Don’t forget to take pictures to commemorate the moment.
The memories last longer than the clean up.
Photo Credit – rumpleteaser
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