Geri’s Super-Secret Christmas Cookie recipe is so very special to my family. I grew up with large, thick cut-out cookies displayed on a pretty silver platter with a doily at my Polish-American grandmother’s house, and my maternal Aunt Margie made cut-outs with her delectable cooked frosting. I combined the two and voila! A match made in cookie heaven.
This recipe is a perfect choice for my Tule cozy mystery series, Shop ‘Round the World. I envision Angel baking these up for Nate in A Santa Stabbing, and since Nate’s the one that owns Latte Love—Stonebridge’s favorite coffee shop—it makes sense that he’d help Angel with the frosting and sprinkling. I hope this special recipe makes your reading of A Santa Stabbing all the sweeter, and may your holidays be bright!
Geri’s Super-Secret Christmas Cookies
In the tradition of Jean Stachelski and the Kaleta Family. I usually double or triple this recipe so there is plenty to give away.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup butter (originally shortening, but I don’t use this)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 8-oz. carton sour cream
- 1 tsp. anise (you can use vanilla) extract
- 4 3/4 cups flour (King Arthur’s All Purpose is best)
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp, baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
DIRECTIONS
Cream butter, gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, beat until well blended. Stir in sour cream and vanilla, mixing well.
Combine flour, baking powder and soda, salt; add to creamed mixture, beating well. Divide dough into thirds; cover and chill at least 1 hour. (note: you can chill for a few days if needed, this keeps your workload more even throughout the holidays).
Roll one portion of dough to 1/8 inch (I do more like 1/4 inch) thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes (trees, bells, stars, Santas, holly leaves). Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. You can sprinkle with colored sugar now if you’re not going to frost. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Repeat with remaining dough. Yield: about 8 dozen.
Geri’s Aunt Margie’s Sugar Cookie Frosting: Mix 1/2 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until it thickens. Stir the entire time (I use a metal whisk). Remove from the stove and allow to cool thoroughly. Whip up 1/2 cup butter (1 stick, softened) and 1 pound of confectioner’s sugar. Pour the cooled mixture into this while you are beating. Use food coloring as desired.
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Meet the Author
GERI KROTOW is the author of A Santa Stabbing and the rest of the Shop ‘Round the World series. GeriKrotow.com.
