Snowball cookies covered in messy powdered sugar. Pastel-colored spritz Christmas trees and wreaths. Santa Claus and snowman sugar cookies decorated with frosting and sugar.
These are my Christmas cookie memories of childhood.
Every year my Mom would make these cookies as we all listened to the Johnny Mathis Christmas album (yes, album) and my sister and I played perilously around, under and about the Christmas tree.
It’s no wonder that the Christmas tree fell over on her almost every year.
The smell of these cookies, and the sound of Johnny’s crooning, always stirs thoughts of Christmas.
And by the way, when you eat a Santa sugar cookie, do you start at the head or the feet? Just curious.
I’m sure that has some sort of deep, psychological meaning.
Our recipe for sugar cookies came from our Betty Crocker cookbook, which has lost its orange hardback cover many years ago. It made buttery cookies and you could roll them thick or thin.
The recipe is below.
We want to see your favorite holiday cookie recipe. It might even be a prize-winner.
I look forward to trying out the best cookie recipes.
But don’t forget to tell us your Christmas memories of the cookie, the first time you tasted it or which family member you got it from.
Here are the details about the contest...
Hiland Dairy will present 12 Days of Cookies this holiday season in the Tulsa World, with one cookie recipe appearing each day in the Scene section from Dec. 13 to Dec. 24.
Readers are invited to submit their favorite holiday cookie recipes now through 5 p.m. Dec. 7.
Submissions - including a name and contact phone number - can be made online at tulsaworld.com/food, then clicking on the 12 Days of Christmas logo; or via mail to Tulsa World, 12 Days of Cookies, P.O. Box 1770, Tulsa, OK 74102-1770.
Winning entries will receive free milk from Hiland Dairy, with 52 coupons for one free gallon of Hiland Dairy milk issued to each winner. Coupons must be redeemed at the store of the winner’s choice where Hiland Dairy products are sold, with a total value not to exceed $300.
Traditional Sugar Cookie 3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1. Mix thoroughly shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Blend in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
2. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Roll dough, cut, and bake on ungreased baking sheet for 6 to 8 minutes or until very light brown.
- adapted from Betty Crocker
