Ginger Bread Cookies [based on Paula Deen's recipe]

This is Paula Deen's ginger bread cookie recipe with my frosting. We make these every year and it is something my kids look forward to with great anticipation!

3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 stick butter, room temp
2 large eggs
1/4 cup molasses
3 & 3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp ground ginger
1 & 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt

Mix sugar and butter. Add eggs and molasses and mix. Add the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and mix.

If planning to use cookie cutters, refrigerate dough at this point for a couple of hours. [I give my kids a big ball of it w/out refrigeration and let them shape it as they want like tasty play dough - but don't eat it till its cooked because of the eggs!]

Preheat oven to 350.

Shape cookies as desired [roll out and use cookie cutters,or shape by hand].

Bake for 10 minutes or just beginning to brown at edges. Let cool.

Kelly's Simple Butter Cream Icing:

1 stick butter, room temp
2 cups powdered sugar
1-2 tBSP cream [or more if needed to get consistency I want]
1 tsp vanilla
food coloring if desired

Mix it all together. Then divide it and color it, if desired.

From here, I put it into a sandwich bag, cut off one corner and let the kids decorate their cookies to their heart's content.

Publix Sugar Cookies

This is the recipe off of the Publix sugar bag - I have never found a better recipe so this is our traditional sugar cookie recipe for Christmas!

2 cups self rising flour
1 cup sugar
1 stick butter, room temp
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine sugar and butter.

Add egg and vanilla, mix well.

Add flour, mix well.

Shape as desired [if you want to roll it out and use cookie cutters, you'll need to chill it for a couple of hours first].

Bake 10-12 minutes till golden.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - Dani Style!

1/2 butter, room temp
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1 & 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
3/4 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325.

Cream together butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla and mix. Add dry ingredients. Mix well.

Bake 10-12 minutes.

[Thanks to my dear friend Danielle for this recipe!]

Mexican Wedding Cookies

1 cup [2 sticks] of butter, room temp
1/3 cup sugar
2 TBSP light brown sugar
2 tsp water
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup mini chocolate chips
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine butter and both sugars and mix till smooth and creamy.

Stir in water and vanilla. Add flour and mix till dough is thick and creamy.

Add pecans and chocolate chips

Shape dough into balls the size of a rounded TBSP and drop them onto the baking sheet. Flatten them out, spacing 1-2 inches apart.

Bake until golden, about 20 minutes

Roll in powdered sugar to coat.