Cookie Swap!

I’m excited about today’s cookie swap – actually I’m going to keep it up all weekend!

Join in the Cookie Swap! Simply post a favorite cookie recipe on your blog then come back to leave a comment with your name and link (to your recipe). Be sure to check out the other participants recipes and leave comments! (Note: Mr Linky is having issues again and just won’t show up in my post.)

So here’s my recipe for Eggnog Spritz. It’s a pressed cookie, which is a lot of work. But the cookies are so wonderful! Enjoy!

For Cookies:
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup butter — softened
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Heat oven to 400F.
In large mixer bowl combine sugar, butter, egg, salt, spices, andvanilla. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture is light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add flour. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed, 2 to 3 minutes. If dough is too soft, cover and refrigerate until firm enough to form cookies, 30 to 45 minutes.
Place dough in cookie press. Form desired shapes 1 inch apart on cookie sheets.
Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

For Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter — softened
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon rum extract
In small bowlstir together powdered sugar, butter, water, and rum extract until smooth. Drizzle or pipe over cooled cookies.

Like I said, these cookies are a lot of work and time but soooooo worth it! First, make sure your cookies are cooled – do not put the glaze over hot cookies otherwise the glaze runs off and makes a big mess. Then you need to wait for the to harden before packing and storing.

The cookie recipe is basic and you can change the flavoring as you want. I’ve used almond and orange extract in place of the vanilla. I also add food coloring to make red or green cookies and of course colored sugar.

Tip: If you’re going to make more than one flavor, either make them different colors or different shapes.

Cookie Swap!!

My sister and I have next weekend scheduled to be our marathon cookie baking session for Christmas. Yep – we load up the CDs and listen to festive holiday music while we spend 3 full days making, cutting, rolling, baking, and decorating cookies. We break out the cutters and the press (totally old school!). We trash the kitchen with flour and colored sugar everywhere – having a great time! The cookies become home-made gifts, trays for work and parties, and breakfast for Christmas morning.

Each year we try a new recipe. So I thought to myself “Hmmm, maybe I should do a cookie swap on my blog?” This would be an awesome way to have some fun with my online friends!

So, this Friday I’m hosting a Virtual Cookie Swap!

Share a recipe on your blog and come back here on Friday – I’ll put up a Mr Linky for you to enter your URL. If you don’t have a blog, you can share a recipe in the comments section.

I know there are a few other Virtual Cookie Swaps going on, but that just means more recipes!! I’ll include the links of the blogs that are hosting them so we can enjoy even more!

See you Friday!