Christmas Cookies - Part 1

Today in our Christmas fun box, Lael and Jaden were somewhat puzzled to find a pound of butter. Their puzzlement turned to delight when they discovered that we were beginning our Christmas baking today . . . and that they each would get to choose a cookie recipe to make!

As soon as breakfast was over, they rushed to take care of their morning responsibilities - then they each grabbed a Taste of Home Christmas cookie magazine and began perusing every recipe. Not only were they looking at the pictures, but they read through the list of ingredients to see if we had what we needed to make what they selected.

Finally, they settled on their choices . . . although both of them commented that there were just too many yummy options to choose from! Jaden's choice: gingerbread cookies (I'm ashamed to say I've never made them before. Ever. It seems almost un-Christmas-like somehow.) Lael selected a chocolate chunk shortbread cookie - she's a girl after my own heart. (Chocolate always makes everything better!)

We started with Jaden's gingerbread dough -- although he was a bit crestfallen to discover that we had to chill the dough and would need to bake his cookies tomorrow, he overcame his disappointment quite quickly!

While Jaden and I worked on making his dough, Lael had the all-important task of entertaining Noah . . . it's rather hard to concentrate on measuring ingredients when there's a crying baby in the room - ask me how I know! She did a fabulous job, as did Jaden. He especially enjoyed smelling the different spices that we were including in his cookie dough.

After Jaden's dough was safely chilling in the fridge, Lael got to make the dough for her Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies - such a simple recipe . . . only five ingredients!

Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies

Yield ; About 3-1/2 dozen

3/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

3 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Additional confectioners' sugar

(Note: I used dark chocolate chips, but probably should have chopped them just a bit for easier cookie production.)

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Combine flour and cornstarch; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Stir in chocolate.

Shape into 1-inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten with a glass dipped in additional confectioners' sugar.

Bake at 300 degrees for 30-33 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Our first day of cookie baking was a delicious success!

As for Noah, he thinks making cookies is exhausting!

Another Christmas Fun Box

In today's Christmas Fun Box, the kids found red and green food coloring, salt and mint extract. Strange combination? Not if you're making red and green playdough, which is what we were going to do!
They each took turns measuring the ingredients for their playdough -- Lael made red with orange extract mixed in and Jaden made the minty green. Then they had to stir . . . and stir . . . and stir . . .

. . . until the playdough was "the consistency of mashed potatoes" -- of course, that didn't mean as much to the kids as it did to me. After all, they usually eat mashed potatoes without contemplating the consistency of the dish.

Then Mommy kneaded the playdough to get it nice and smooth -- it was still really hot so the kids couldn't really touch it. Then they had to wait for it to cool so they could play with it. Doesn't it look pretty, and so festive? I predict that we'll enjoy this playdough a whole bunch this Christmas season!

Fun school in December

I love Christmas time . . . and everything that goes along with it -- the baking, shopping, decorating, and extra-special family times like snuggling up on the couch to read a book or watch a favorite Christmas movie.

This year I wanted to be purposeful about incorporating fun into our days, so I came up with the Christmas Fun Box. Each day I put something into the box to give a clue about the fun activity that our day will hold! I have some FUN things planned!

Today, when the kids came downstairs, this is what they found on the dining room table:

Inside the box were all different kinds of buttons and bells. Add some pipe cleaners and look what we made . . . (photo courtesy of Jaden)

I love adding some fun and whimsy to our day!