Holiday Cookie Exchange

[ApolloImperium]

Since we can't have a real holiday cookie exchange, I figured that I would start a thread where we can exchange our favorite holiday cookie recipes! Post if you have them, write 'em down if you want them! I'll post a few to get us started! But 1st - A very special AFF style cookie!

[ApolloImperium]

Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs, separated

2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

48 candy cane Hershey's kisses, unwrapped

1/3 cup granulated sugar for decoration 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
2. In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Stir in 2 egg yolks, melted chocolate, and vanilla.
3. Sift together the flour and salt; stir into the creamed mixture.
4. In a small bowl, slightly beat the remaining egg whites. Roll dough into walnut sized balls. Dip balls into the egg whites, then roll in sugar (or chopped nuts if desired). Place the cookies onto the prepared cookie sheets and make a small indentation in the center with your thumb.
5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When the cookies come out, press a kiss into the center of each one. Let stand, and then spread the chocolate candy like frosting, if desired.

Cherry BonBon Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

24 maraschino cherries

1. In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add milk and vanilla.
2. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.
3. Divide dough into 24 portions; shape each portion around a cherry, forming a ball. Place on ungreased cookie sheets
4. Bake at 350 for 18 - 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Ingredients - Glaze

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon butter, melted

2 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice

Additional confectioners' sugar

For glaze, combine sugar, butter and cherry juice. Drizzle over cookies. Dust with additional sugar.