It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Cookies

readerskitchen
Dec 10, 2014
2 min read

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” ― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

First, I should start by clarifying that I do not actually celebrate Christmas. I don't receive presents or go to mass or anything like that. This has not and will never deter me from loving the Christmas season.

I recognize how controversial this idea might be since there are so many people out there who feel that Christmas is being taken over and commercialized. However, it's not the commercialization of Christmas that I love. I love the songs, colors, lights, foods, feelings, movies, snow, crafts, cheer, and culture of it. Christmas is celebrated so differently around the world.

The celebration of Christmas is (and always has been) very cultural. Christmas trees were uniquely Germanic, until they were brought to the English speaking world by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Santa Claus (Sinterklaas, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Papa Noel, etc.) has become an amalgamation of Christian and non-Christian ideas and traditions from all over the world through time.

Basically, I love the way Christmas brings people together. I love that we have time off to spend time with people we care about. I love cinnamon and peppermint, cookie decorating and gingerbread houses, playing in the snow, and giving to the less fortunate. That is what Christmas means to me. Being born and raised in this country means Christmas has always been a big part of my life. I have a deep respect for both the cultural and religious traditions, and I've made a few of my own over the years.

Christmas Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups unsalted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs – beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract (1/2 tsp powdered)
6 cups all purpose flour
1 egg – beaten
1 tsp granulated sugar

Directions:

In a large bowl whisk together butter, sugar, vanilla, and 4 beaten eggs until creamy. (using electric mixer or hand whisk)
Add 4 cups sifted flour to the mixture and mix until combined
Pour one cup of flour onto flat clean surface. Knead dough into flour. Add last cup of flour bit by bit until dough is no longer sticky. Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate (2 hours or overnight).
When ready to bake preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine 1 beaten egg with teaspoon sugar for egg wash glaze.
Remove dough from fridge and let sit for 30 minutes. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into shapes.
Place on baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Brush with egg wash and add sprinkles/decorations. (slightly sweet egg wash takes the place of icing and other decorations. If you plan to decorate after baking, skip this step)
Bake for 8-10 minutes until cookies begin to brown on the bottom. Watch carefully as they can burn easily. Remove from oven and allow to cool on rack.