Sweets for Santa

Marissa Radtke ’19, Layout Director

Crisp, delicious smells fill the house. Children go running down the stairs because the smell is awfully familiar. The oven chimes that it is done preheating. Ingredients are laid out on  the table. Its cookie baking time. One of the most cherished Christmas traditions of all time.Christmas cookie baking is a fun activity to do for the holiday season. Below are a few fun cookie recipes to try this season.

Swedish Balls

This effortless recipe is sure to be a favorite during the season. It has a few simple ingredients that you probably have just laying in the back of your pantry. It includes nuts, but they are just as good without them if you have an allergy. The recipes yields about five dozen.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter or margarine softened

2 ½ cups flour

2  Tbsp. water

6 Tbsp. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups chopped pecans

Making it:

1. Preheat oven to 325℉ degrees.
2. Cream butter and powdered sugar.
3. Add water, flour, nuts, and vanilla.
4. Shape dough into one inch balls.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
6. Roll in powdered sugar.

Chocolate Drops

This recipes is for all the lovers of the savory and sweet out there. It is the perfect combination of the two, and these delectible treats will certainly satisfy your midnight sweet tooth craving this season. It also contains peanuts, but they can easily be made without. The recipe yields 3 ½ dozen.
Ingredients:

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup butterscotch chips

1 cup shoestring potato sticks

1 cup salted peanuts

Making it:

1. In a 2 quart microwave-safe bowl, heat chips on high for two minutes or until melted, stirring once.
2. Stir in potato sticks and peanuts.
3. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper lined baking sheets.
4. Chill until set. (about 15 minutes)

Snickerdoodles

This one is a holiday classic that is sure to always impress. The cinnamon taste is so sweet and reminds everyone of the holidays because it is something always associated with it. It combines many simple ingredients, plus the baking time is very short for a cookie. The recipe yields about six dozen cookies.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups sugar

2 eggs

½ cup margarine softened

½ cup shortening

2 ¾ cups flour

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

5 Tbsp. sugar

3 tsp. ground cinnamon

Making it:

1. Preheat oven to 375℉ degrees
2. Mix sugar, margarine, shortening, and eggs in large bowl.
3. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
4. Shape dough by rounded tsp. into balls.
5. Mix three tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon.
6. Roll balls into cinnamon sugar mixture.
7. Place about two inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
8. Bake until set for 8-10 minutes.
9. Immediately remove from cookie sheet.

These are just a couple recipes for you to try this holiday season. They are sure to be a hit at Christmas parties and dinners, and the baking and time put in can also be used to bond with your family. Happy baking!
Photo courtesy of All Recipies