Saturday, January 1, 2011

Christmas cookies... part 1

Okay, while still working a 40 hour week I took a 'vacation.' Which basically means that for a week I came home from work and just vegged in front of the television with my sketchbook and took some quality time with some CSI reruns to try to figure out what projects I want to attempt in the next year...

Anyway, I've taken my week to recharge and relax, so now it's time to get back to the routine. Christmas may be over, but aside from cleaning, the last project I completed was the annual creation of the batch of Christmas cookies.

It actually only took me 5 hours to make them this year. Heh, heh. So, even though Christmas has passed, and I literally ate the last cookie yesterday morning: on with the Christmas cookies!

They're actually sour cream cookies. The recipe apparently came from my grandma, but you can find it online here. I'm not sure where that thing about the raisins comes from (it's not in Grandma's recipe, but anyway)...

The recipe is supposed to make about 10 dozen cookies.

The first hour of my 5 hour cookie making extravaganza was spent making the dough. I decided to microwave the shortening for about 30 seconds this year to soften it up. It definitely made the "creaming" process easier. I didn't even have to break out the pastry creamer. As usual, I skipped the part about sticking the batter in the fridge (my time is limited).













Every year I crank up the tunes while cutting and baking the cookies. Usually I manage to listen to some Warren Zevon and "American Pie" (the album) by Don McLean. When I was a kid we used to listen to that record when we were "helping" our Mother decorate the Christmas tree. Time has colored history, and I doubt she remembers this, but American Pie was a welcome retreat from her terrible Christmas records. Every time I hear the Little Drummer Boy — I groan. I am not a fan of Christmas songs outside of John Lennon and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. Eartha Kit's rendition of "Santa Baby" makes me want to find every copy of that song and obliterate them from earth...

Anyway, this year, since I'm pretty sure "American Pie" is out in the car — the cookies were cut & baked to the dulcet tones of Sammy Hagar's incarnation of Van Halen, more specifically "5150." Yes, I know, Van Hagar just brightens the holidays :D Besides, the CD was sitting beside the CD player, and the only other viable option was "Dark Side of the Moon" — which is not really Christmas music.

Anyway, check back for the next installment when I reveal how many cookies this recipe yielded this year :D

7 comments:

Sueann said...

They sure look good!! Bet they are melt in the mouth yummy!!
Happy New Year
Hugs
SueAnn

Tabor said...

Thanks for visiting. These look delicious. I love making cookies for the holidays and did about 5 recipes this year...BUT since only hubby and I will eat them I hurriedly gave most away.

Catherine said...

These cookies look so yummy! Such detail and love you put into all of them. That would make them taste extra god! :)

Happy New Year Sarah!
xo Catherine

Candace Trew Camling said...

that sure looks like a lot of work! I only made 2 dozen this year! The frosted ones a few posts down look so pretty.

Out on the prairie said...

I need to gather cookie cutters again.One of my kids made off with mine.I am hungry for those cookies now, but when you make lots it takes me a while to want to eat them.I put together a turtle cheesecake to bring in the new year.I like your music picks, warren is an old favorite.With the Dark Side of the moon, I have a reggie version, Dub Side of the Moon.May this year be regal for you.

happyone said...

Lots of yummy looking cookies. I never put the dough in the refrigerator like you are supposed to either. I find it is harder to use when it is cold.
Oh, I love the Little Drummer Boy. My favorite Christmas song is Away in a Manager. :-)

SouthernSass said...

I cheat with "softening" of the butter. Those cookies look really yummy! I hope they tasted as good as they look!