Vintage Cookery - Christmas Cookies

 

Need a couple easy and budget friendly Christmas cookies to whip up at the last minute?  No worries.  I’ve got you covered.  These cookie recipes come from my Better Homes & Gardens red plaid cookbook.  My grandmother gave it to me one year for Christmas and amazingly I’ve had it long enough for it to now be considered vintage.  Yep.  I’m that old.  There is nothing "new" about this old cookbook.  Nonetheless, these two cookie recipes have long been family favorites.  Enjoy!

 

Thumbprint Cookies 

2/3 c. butter or margarine

½ c. sugar

2 egg yolks (save the whites)

1 tsp vanilla

1 ½ c. flour

jam, any flavor  

Beat sugar and eggs together until creamy.  Add egg and vanilla to butter and sugar mixture.  Combine well.  Stir in flour.  Cover dough and chill in the freezer so dough is easier to handle.  

While the dough chills make this next cookie.  

Coconut Macaroons – A Five Ingredients Or Less Recipe  

2 egg whites

½ teaspoon vanilla

2/3 c. sugar

1 1/3 c. flaked coconut  

Preheat oven to 325 °.  Lightly grease a baking sheet, set aside.  In a medium mixing bowl beat with egg whites until peaks start to form.  Add vanilla.  Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.  Fold in coconut with a wooden spoon carefully so you don’t over mix.  Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto baking sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes until they just begin to brown.  Remove to cooling rack.  Store in an airtight container.  Makes two dozen cookies.  

While the cookies bake:  

Remove the other dough from the freezer and roll into one inch sized balls.  Place balls on baking sheet about one inch apart.  Press your thumb into the center of each ball.  Bake cookies at 375° for 10 to 12 minutes.  Remove to cooling rack.  Fill each depression with a little jam and allow cookies to cool completely.  Makes about 3 dozen cookies.  

There you have it!  Two very simple recipes to whip up five dozen delicious cookies with minimal effort and ingredients.  They look so pretty and you will get rave reviews on these cookies too.  Enjoy