Christmas-Cookies.com Newsletter:Recipes, Baking Tips, Special Offers and More!

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      Welcome to the second issue of the 2003 season for the
Christmas-Cookies.com newsletter. Keep reading for exclusive recipes, baking
tips, new cookbooks, and more!

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      View our past newsletters for more tips and recipes

      I N    T H I S    I S S U E
        a.. Cookie Exchanges: Tips and Recipes
        b.. Recipe: Slice and Bake Chocolate Fruitcake Rounds
        c.. Recipe: Chocolate Nut Crinkles
     a.. Essential Christmas Baking Supplies
        b.. Baking Tip: Get a head start on holiday baking
        c.. More Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes

      A D V E R T I S E M E N T
     Click Here! Save 20% on 1 item at Cooking.com. Use coupon # C89982 at
checkout. Offer ends 12/31/03

      Click Here! New Customer Offer at Cooking.com! Take $10 off your first
order over $75. Use Coupon code C88962 at checkout. Offer ends 12/31/03.

      C O O K I E  E X C H A N G E S :  T I P S  A N D  R E C I P E S


      Holiday Cookie Exchange

      by Chris Sadler - 1001Recipes2Send.com

      With the Christmas holidays coming up, many cooks will be looking at
lots of baking and preparations for the parties and get-togethers not to
mention the big day itself. How can you reduce the stress and still put out
a variety of tasty treats for family and friends? Try a cookie exchange.

      The general idea of a cookie exchange is a group of friends each bake
a batch of cookies to be shared amongst the group. Each member concentrates
on and only has to purchase ingredients for one recipe but still gets a
variety of goodies to offer at their own home. You need ground rules and
everyone has different
      ideas so it is a good idea to discuss the details in advance so
everyone knows their role.

      For some parties there is a strict rule about the cookies being
homemade. At others the gathering is more important so if a member feels a
time crunch at the last minute they can choose to buy something from the
bakery. Store bought bagged cookies would be taboo but bakery, homemade-like
would be okay.

      First, agree on a timeline. Make sure each member can make the
commitment and ask that they each set aside baking time at least a few days
before the scheduled exchange (that way they have time to bake and time to
fix it if something goes wrong). Another reason you might want to bake the
cookies early is they "cure" a bit. Fresh cookies don't really transport
well and tend to crumble badly during the exchange.

      Ask your members to send you their recipes so you can make copies for
the others and ensure that no two are making the same cookies (don't forget,
variety is the key!). They don't all have to bake cookies either, bars and
macaroons work really well too. It is a nice idea if they include a few
lines about why they chose this recipe or any memories they have of making
or eating these cookies. Sharing the details of how the recipe was once
grandma's or how you set fire to the kitchen one time while baking them is
half the fun of the party! Create a booklet of the recipes and memories for
each member to keep. If you have a digital camera you could even take pics
at the party of the cookies and the members to include in the booklets.

      Members should bake one dozen cookies for each member (assuming you
have a smallish group of less than 10 people - you might want to say 1/2
dozen per member if there are lots of participants) and package them
separately so the exchange is easier to make. With the new disposable
containers on the market, separate packaging is easy. Even a simple paper
plate (preferably with a Christmas design) would work.

      The party itself works well with finger foods like veggies and dip and
buffet style food. If it is an evening do, a wine and cheese spread would be
fun too. Make sure everyone knows that this is for participants only, no
spouses or kids at the party.

      Looking for a good recipe to use for your cookie exchange? Try one of
these:

      Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

      1-3/4 cups Flour
      1/2 teaspoon Salt
      2 cups Rolled Oats
      1/2 cup Coconut
      1 cup Butter or Margarine
      1 cup Brown Sugar
      1 teaspoon Baking Soda
      1/4 cup Boiling Water
      1 teaspoon Vanilla
      1-1/3 cups Chocolate Chips

      Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream sugar and butter together; mix in
flour, salt, rolled oats and coconut. Dissolve soda in boiling water; add to
mixture. Add vanilla and chocolate chips; stir to blend. Roll dough into
small balls and place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Flatten each dough
ball with fork which has been
      dipped in cold water. Bake 12 to 15 minutes.

      Looking for more? Find dozens of recipes at:
      http://www.1001recipes2send.com/db/search.cgi?query=cookie&catid=9

      -*-*-*-*-*-*
      About the Author:
      Chris Sadler is Owner and WebAdmin of The 1001Recipes2Send.com Recipes
Database. Become a member to receive the weekly newsletter alert:
http://www.1001Recipes2Send.com
      Download FREE eBooks at: http://www.1001Recipes2Send.com/Free
      -*-*-*-*-*-*



      C O O K B O O K     S P O T L I G H T

      Christmas Cookies Are for Giving: Recipes, Stories and Tips for Making
Heartwarming Gifts
      by Kristin Johnson and Mimi Cummins

      List Price: $16.95  Price: $11.87
      Edition: Hardcover, 208 pages, color photos
      Features: Lay-flat binding, wipe-clean cover
      Avg. Customer Rating:



      Reviews:

      "I recently got this book and read it in one sitting. It is different
from most cookie cookbooks because it includes not only great recipes, but
charming stories about family traditions and the cookie recipes themselves.
For people who don't bake as a family tradition it makes you want to
start!" --Lisa in Santa Rosa, CA

      "This cookbook not only gives you many wonderful cookie recipes for
Christmas, baking tips, how to pack and ship these goodies for sending to
friends and family locally or far away, and how to prepare "Gift Cookies in
a Jar", but the book also begins with a wonderful heartwarming "Dickensian"
style story set in modern times, "The Giving Christmas Cookie"... I highly
recommend this touching and very informative book. It's one you will pass
down to your children and grandchildren. Give this to people you love, and
give it to yourself. It's one of the best gifts you'll receive this
year." -- Diana Baker Woodall, webmaster of DianasDesserts.Com - A Website
For Home Bakers




      E S S E N T I A L    C H R I S T M A S     B A K I N G     S U P P L I
E S
      100-piece Cookie Cutter Set


      $9.99     Buy KitchenAid 250-Watt 4-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer

      $169.99     Buy  Lustre Dust

      $5.00    Buy  15-pc Snowflake Cookie Cutter Set

      $27.95    Buy

      Springerle Molds



      $24.95    Buy  Christmas Sprinkle Assortment - Large


      $10.00    Buy  Non-Stick Gingerbread House Mold

      $29.95    Buy  Silpat Baking Mat & OXO Measuring Cup Set

      $19.95   Buy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

         L O T S   M O R E   B A K I N G   P R O D U C T S !
      cookie cutters   sprinkles    colored sugars   candy-making   cake
pans   cupcake liners
      click here



      E X C L U S I V E     R E C I P E S
      Slice and Bake Chocolate Fruitcake Rounds

      makes about 60 cookies

      1/2 cup butter, softened
      1 cup granulated sugar
      1 egg, beaten
      1 teaspoon almond extract
      1-1/2 cups cake flour
      1/2 teaspoons baking soda
      1/4 teaspoon salt
      1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
      1 cup mixed candied fruit, finely chopped
      1 egg white, beaten

      In a mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and
fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, sift together
flour, baking soda and salt. Stir into butter mixture until well blended.
Set aside 1/3 of dough and place in another mixing bowl. In the top of a
double boiler over hot (not boiling) water, melt chocolate. Stir melted
chocolate into 1/3 of dough. Stir candied fruit into remaining 2/3 dough and
form into a 2" thick roll. Refrigerate about 2 hours.

      On a lightly floured surface or between two sheets of waxed paper,
roll chocolate dough into an 1/8"-thick square. Brush lightly with beaten
egg white. Place roll of white dough at one end of the chocolate dough and
roll up so that the chocolate dough covers the white dough. Refrigerate the
double roll about 2 hours.

      Pre-heat oven to 375*F. Remove dough from the refrigerator and slice
into 1/4" slices with a sharp knife. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and
bake about 10 minutes. Allow to cool for 1 minute on the baking sheet and
remove to wire racks to cool completely. Store in airtight containers at
room temperature for about 2 weeks.



      Chocolate Nut Crinkles

      makes about 60 cookies

      2 cups all-purpose flour
      1-1/3 teaspoon baking powder
      1/3 tea spoon salt
      1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
      1 cup solid vegetable shortening
      1 cup sugar
      3 large eggs
      2 teaspoons vanilla
      1-1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts or pecans
      1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

      In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa
powder. In a large mixing bowl, beat together shortening and sugar until
creamy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir flour mixture into shortening
mixture. Cover and chill dough 2 hours or until easy to handle.

      Pre-heat oven to 375 and grease 2 baking sheets. Shape dough into 1"
balls. Roll in nuts and then in powdered sugar. Place 2" apart on prepared
baking sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are set and tops
are cracked. Allow to cool 1 minute on baking sheets, then remove to wire
racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature
for about 2 weeks.

      For over 365 more Christmas recipes, visit www.Christmas-Cookies.com!




      B A K I N G   T I P S
      Get a Head-Start on Your Holiday Baking: Freezing Cookies and Cookie
Dough

      by Rachel Paxton - rachel at Organized-Mom.com

      If you're looking ahead to the holiday season and wondering how you're
going to get all your baking done, consider freezing your cookie dough or
fresh baked cookies ahead of time. When the holidays get closer you can get
that last bit of shopping done or last present made instead of spending all
your time in the kitchen.

      FREEZING COOKIE DOUGH

      Cookie dough will freeze well for 4 to 6 weeks. Rolls of dough should
be sealed tightly in plastic wrap (chill in refrigerator first before
freezing). Other kinds of dough should be stored in airtight containers.
Drop cookies (unbaked) may be frozen on cookie sheets and transferred to
freezer bags. Let stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before
baking.

      Don't try to freeze soft meringue-type cookie dough. Chocolate chip,
brownies, peanut butter, and sugar cookie dough (or anything similar)
freezes well. Let the dough defrost in the refrigerator (about 2-3 hours).
Make sure to label the container with the date and type of cookie dough.

      FREEZING BAKED COOKIES

      Almost any baked cookie freezes well. Let cookies completely cool
before freezing. Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap then store them
in a ziploc freezer bag or storage tin (coffee cans or holiday tins work
great). You can also just layer the cookies between layers of waxed paper in
the container, but the individually wrapped ones will store longer.

      Freeze frosted cookies uncovered first until they are firm. Then pack
them in airtight container lined with plastic wrap or foil. Make sure to
label the container with the date and type of cookies. Unfrosted cookies can
be frozen up to 6-12 months (frosted, about 3 months). Frozen cookies thaw
in about 10 minutes at room temperature (if you can wait that long). If
cookies should be crisp when thawed, remove them from the container before
thawing.

      Gingersnaps

      1 c. sugar
      3/4 c. butter
      2 eggs
      3 c. flour
      2 tsp. baking soda
      1 tsp. ginger
      1 tsp. cinnamon
      1/2 tsp. cloves
      1/2 c. molasses

      In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter. Add eggs. Stir in flour,
baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Add molasses, stirring well.
Refrigerate dough for an hour or two to chill. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in a little sugar and place 2
inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes.

      Snickerdoodles

      1 c. butter
      1 1/2 c. sugar
      2 eggs
      2 3/4 c. flour
      2 tsp. cream of tartar
      1 tsp. baking soda
      1/2 tsp. salt

      In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and eggs. Stir in
flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Refrigerate dough for an hour
or two to chill. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll the dough into 1-inch
balls. Roll each ball in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Place 2 inches
apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

      Peanut Butter Crackles

      1 3/4 c. flour
      1/2 c. sugar
      1/2 c. brown sugar
      1 egg
      1 tsp. vanilla
      1 tsp. baking soda
      1/2 tsp. salt
      1/2 c. butter, softened
      1/2 c. peanut butter
      Chocolate kisses or stars

      Mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix together butter, peanut butter,
and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture. Shape dough into
1-inch balls. Roll in sugar and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375
degrees for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and press chocolate kisses firmly
into cookie.

      Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom helping other moms to
organize their families and their lives. For other organizing hints visit
http://www.Organized-Mom.com.


      For more articles by Rachel Paxton and other great tips on baking,
decorating, and storing cookies visit
http://www.christmas-cookies.com/bakingtips/index.php



      M O R E   T H A N K S G I V I N G  &  C H R I S T M A S  R E C I P E S
        Pumpkin Cookies
        Pumpkin Pie Biscotti
        Pumpkin Pie Squares
        Pumpkin Roll
     Anginetti Cookies from Italy
      Lemon Madeleines from France
      Mailanderli from Switzerland
      Sacher Torte Cookies from Austria
      Christmas-cookies.com is a website dedicated to Christmas cookies and
year-round cookie-baking.

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