Make a batch of yummy sugar cookies for family members; make gingerbread playdough for a friend or "snowman soup" for a favorite teacher.
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Christmas Sugar Cookies
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup Crisco or butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Cream sugar, butter and oil until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs. Sift dry ingredients together. Add the butter mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well. Roll into balls. Press to flatten slightly with a glass. Bake at 350° F for 15 to 20 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet until cookies are light brown.
(HINT: Slightly dampen the bottom of the glass and dip in colored sugar before flattening the cookies.)
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Gingerbread Playdough
1 cup flour
½ cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Spices (cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg)
Mix the dry ingredients. Add spices a small amount at a time until the dough smells and looks like you want it to. Mix water and oil together first and then add them to the dry ingredients and stir. In a pot, cook the mixture for two to three minutes, stirring frequently. The dough will start to pull away from the sides of the pot and stick together. When this happens, take the play-dough out of the pan and knead the dough until it becomes soft and smooth. Allow the dough to cool and then store it in an airtight container.
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Chocolate Spoons
Chocolate spoons are great for stirring coffee or hot cocoa!
Plastic spoons
Melting chocolate, white, dark or milk chocolate ( we have even used chocolate chips).
Melt the chocolate according to the package directions. Dip the spoons into the chocolate, making sure the whole “bowl” of the spoon is covered. Lay them on wax paper to harden. Then wrap in plastic wrap and tie with a ribbon.
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Snowman Soup
It’s a sweet gift for your favorite teacher. Put items in a zip-top plastic bag and put the bag inside a nice mug.
1 package hot chocolate mix
3 Hershey's Kisses
10 mini marshmallows
1 candy cane
nice mug
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Stained Glass Window Cookies
12 oz. chocolate chips
One 10 oz. package miniature colored marshmallows
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup coconut
Melt chips and butter in the microwave. Start with 1 minute and then go in 15–30 second increments, stirring each time. Cool slightly and add nuts and marshmallows. Divide mixture in half to form two rolls. Roll them in coconut. Wrap in wax paper and chill for 24 hrs. Slice into 1/3” cookies.
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Ginger Bread Christmas Cookies
1¼ cups sugar
2/3 cup light molasses or corn syrup
1 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup heavy cream
1 ¾ tbsp. ground ginger
1 tbsp. baking soda
6 cups flour
Heat the sugar, molasses, and butter in a large saucepan over low heat. After the butter melts, cool mixture. Stir in cream, ginger, baking soda, and flour. Let dough stand overnight.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Divide dough into thirds. Roll each piece very thin. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Bake cookies on greased cookie sheets for 5 to 7 min. Cool on a rack. Makes 7-8 dozen.
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Belinda Mooney is a freelance writer.
Need More Holiday Gifts & Treats Kids Can Make?
- Ask your kids to help with holiday decorations. Visit Crafts for Kids for tons of fun ideas.
- Get the whole family involved in the kitchen. Visit Family Recipes for holiday recipes that will make tasty treats while creating childhood memories!
