Great Cakes Soapworks

We just finished up a contest to see who has the best Christmas cookie recipe. All of the recipes are excellent, and I wish they could have all won – and I’m not just saying that. The top 5 winners will receive four soaps of their choice from Great Cakes Soapworks. There was a tie for both 2nd and 3rd place, so we ended up with exactly 5 winners! They are:

Caramelita Bars, submitted by Janie C.
Andes Mint Cookies, submitted by Abby R.
Russian Tea Cakes, submitted by Susan G.
Grandma Rose’s Fruit-Filled Sugar Cutouts, submitted by Heidi B.
and…
Chocolate Chip Cookies, submitted by Lisa J.

Thanks to all the participants!

And now, if you still need more ideas, here are my top 5 Christmas cookie recipes:

#5: Christmas Cut Out Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1 ½ tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 tsp. water
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
2 ½ – 3 cups flour
Directions:
Cream together margarine, sugar and vanilla. Beat egg and water into mixture, then add baking powder, salt and flour. Divide dough into two pieces, form into logs, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill for one hour. Roll out dough onto floured surface and cut out your favorite Christmas shapes. Bake at 375 for 6 to 8 minutes, or until slightly golden. Do not over bake! Remove from pan and allow to cool before frosting or decorating.

#4: Chewy Brownie Cookies
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups firmly packed brown sugar
2/3 cup shortening
1 T. water
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 ½ cups flour
1/3 cup powdered baking cocoa
¼ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
Combine brown sugar, shortening, water and vanilla. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer. Beat eggs into creamed mixture. Add dry ingredients and mix at low speed just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are set. Do not overbake! Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to foil lined countertop or table to cool completely.

#3: Scotch Shortbread
Ingredients:
1 pound soft butter
1 ¼ cups sugar
1 tsp. almond extract
4 ½ cups flour
Directions:
Cream butter, sugar, and extract. Add flour gradually. Spread into greased jelly roll pan. Bake at 300 degrees for one hour. Leave in pan until hardened, but cut into squares while still warm.

#2 Ginger Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
¾ c. shortening
1 c. sugar
¼ c. light molasses
1 egg
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. ginger
2 cups flour
Directions:
Cream sugar and shortening, add molasses, egg, salt, soda, salt, and spices. Add flour and mix only until flour is completely incorporated. Refrigerate dough for 1 hour. Make balls of dough about 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter, dip in white sugar, and place sugar side up on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.

#1 Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients:
Crust:
1 cup butter
½ cup sugar
3 cups flour
½ tsp. salt
Filling:
¼ cup butter
4 eggs
1 ½ cups light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 ½ cups coarsely chopped pecans
Directions, starting with the crust:
Beat butter and sugar on medium speed until creamy. Blend in flour and salt at low speed. Mixture should resemble coarse crumbs. Press dough firmly into greased 1” jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
Filling: Melt the butter and set aside. Beat together eggs, corn syrup, and sugar, then add melted butter and vanilla. Stir in pecans. Pour mixture evenly over hot crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes until filling is firm. Cool and cut into bars. Makes 5 dozen.

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