MOM'S SUGAR COOKIES

My mom baking with the kids

Christmas at our house is not complete without our favorite frosted sugar cookies.  The smell! The taste!  They bring me back to happy childhood memories in an instant!  I crave these cookies and because of that I do not make them very often.  I have absolutely no will-power or common sense when it comes to eating them.  If you leave them on the counter unattended they will be eaten.  In mass quantity.  I absolve myself of all blame.   They are the crack cocaine of Cookiedom and I am a Christmas cookie addict.

These cookies are mildly labor intensive what with all the chilling, rolling, cutting, baking & frosting, but do not be discouraged!  They are so worth it!  I hope you give them a try, give them to your friends & neighbors & bake them with your children.  I have such fond memories of making these with my Mom & sister at Christmastime.  I hope that you too will find a new Christmas tradition in making these with your loved ones.

MOM'S SUGAR COOKIES

Sift the following:

2 1/2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

In another bowl cream together:

3/4 c. Crisco or butter

1 c. sugar

Add to Crisco & sugar:

2 eggs

2 T. milk

1 tsp. lemon extract

1 tsp. almond extract

Add flour mixture other ingredients, mix, 

cover with waxed paper or plastic wrap & 

chill 30 min to several hours

Roll thin & cut with cookie cutters

Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 min.

FROSTING:

Powdered sugar

add almond & lemon extracts (about a capful of each - to taste)

Add milk & mix to desired consistency

Divide frosting into small bowls.  Add food coloring.  Frost.  Embellish with sprinkles, red hots, dragees (silver & gold balls), etc...

I HIGHLY SUGGEST DOUBLING OR TRIPLING THIS RECIPE AS THE COOKIES WILL NOT LAST LONG!

Frosted cookies can also be frozen to give you the illusion that you are not eating them as quickly as you actually are.

Guten Apetit & Merry Christmas!

Gemma

Fish Tacos, and more!

Sorry for the delay in adding new posts...Gemma and I were together for Thanksgiving with our families and had a wonderful time! My husband went hunting for the first time with Gemma's parents and husband, Jay. What an adventure! We brought home a buck and have already started experimenting with all kinds of new recipes for venison! Pictures haven't been downloaded yet, so stay tuned for those yummy creations.

With Christmas greatness and food all around, I decided to post a meal that is truly a breeze and a refreshing break from all the other rich foods we eat this time of year. Instead of using the tilapia called for in this recipe, I cheat and use Trident's Ultimate Fish Stick. I find them at Costco. If you see them, grab them, you won't be sorry! I prepare the rest of the ingredients the same way. The next day, we usually have a fish taco salad with the leftovers. Feel free to improvise with your favorite taco ingredients. In my household, we always add avocado. Sweet potato fries are a great side. Enjoy!

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/fish-tacos-with-cabbage-and-lime