Grandma's Christmas Cookies

I never met Mike's Grandma Lucy, but everything I've heard about her is that she was an incredible cook. If she was half as good of a cook as my Mother-in-Law, I'd say she'd be pretty darn good, and everything that my Mother-in-Law says is that she was an even better cook. I'm sure everything she learned, she learned from her Mother. She's always talking about all the wonderful things she used to make, from her soups, to her elaborate Christmas dinners and her desserts. I was so excited when Mom said she had some of her recipes, I couldn't wait to try making some of them. Wouldn't it be fun when we have kids to make Christmas cookies, or other recipes, with them and tell them that this was their Great-Grandmothers recipe?  I think it's such a great way to keep the memories alive.

I was invited to participate in a Christmas Cookie exchange. At a Christmas cookie exchange each participant bakes about 6 dozen cookies and then everyone swaps, so you wind up with 6 dozen different cookies. I had been looking for a recipe I could make when I remembered I had Grandma Lucy's recipes. One of them was for her spritz cookies, which was perfect. For the exchange, the main ingredient has to be flour so this fit the bill perfectly. I'd never made spritz cookies before but I knew what they were, they're also fun and festive for the holidays. When I was telling Mom about my plans to make them she mentioned she had Grandma Lucy's cookie press that I could borrow!

I made my 6 dozen cookies last night and had a great time baking them. I do love to bake, probably because I have ADD and I'd rather be productive and doing something like baking than sitting around.  The dough itself is super simple to make and really didn't take long at all (although it would have been even easier if I'd had a kitchen aid mixer). Once I figured out how the cookie press actually worked (which took me a few tries) I was in business. It was fun to make all the different shapes, although I had the most luck with the trees and wreath shaped ones. I decorated them with sprinkles, and maraschino cherries on the wreaths. I even mixed in some green food coloring for some of the trees.

Grandma Lucy's Spritz Cookies 

1/2 cup butter (*soften at room temperature first)
1/4 vegetable shortening (like crisco)
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

With mixer beat butter and shortening thoroughly. Add sugar gradually continuing to beat. Add egg and vanilla, beat well. Lightly spoon flour, baking power & salt together. Add to butter mixture in 3 additions and mix well after each addition. Dough will be stiff. Use cookie press. Bake at 375 until lightly brown on edges (*I found about 12 minutes)

I def think I will make these as my signature Christmas cookies every year. I can't wait to make them with my kids one day and tell them it was their Great-Grandmother's recipe.

Ps.... Dear Santa, I'd really love it if you would bring me a Kitchen Aid mixer for Christmas this year. I promise to leave you some really good cookies next Christmas Eve when you come. Thanks. Love, Rachel