Italian Christmas Cookies

These cookies are filled with color and sweetness.

1 1/2 cups gumdrops

3/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup golden raisins

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour, divided

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Take out all of the black gumdrops and store for another use. Cut the remaining gumdrops into small pieces. Place gumdrops into a bowl. Add in the walnuts, raisins and 1/4 cup flour; toss to coat. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar. Add egg; beat in buttermilk, flour; stir into creamed mixture. Add gumdrop mixture and mix well. Chill for 1 hour.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2-inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool .

Makes 36 cookies.

=> Christmas Cookie Recipes: Frosted Cashew Cookies

A tasty frosted cookie decorated with a cashew in the middle.

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup sour cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon each baking powder, baking soda, and salt

1 3/4 cup salted cashew halves

Browned Butter Frosting

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Beat in the egg, sour cream and the vanilla; mix well.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture; mix thoroughly. Fold in the cashews.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool before serving.

Browned Butter Frosting

1/2 cut butter

3 tablespoons half and half cream

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups confectioners' sugar

Additional cashew halves, optional

Directions

In a saucepan, lightly brown the butter. Remove from heat. Stir in the cream and vanilla. Beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth and thick. Frost cookies. Top each cookie with a cashew half, if desired.

=> Christmas Cookie Recipes: Soft Mincemeat Cookies

A unique holiday cookie with the distinct taste of mincemeat.

1/4 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup mincemeat

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add in the eggs and mincemeat; mix well.

Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts, if desired.

Drop cookie dough by the tablespoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet, space 2-inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely.

Makes 48 cookies.

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