Hello first-timers, Welcome back to another edition of first time for me too. Today is Thursday, and is known as Throw Back Thursday.  Well I and my family and friends like to call Thursdays, Thankful Thursday, because we have so much to be thankful for.

As many of you know this is very new to me. I am still trying to put together a regular format that is easy to follow and show pictures that is appealing to my audience. So, I like to thank you for having patience. I would also like to invite you to like and share my blogs with your family and friends. You support is important and appreciated.

Well, let’s get started on today’s question from a first-timer.

Q: What are some cookies that are easy for my children to make for the holidays?  Good question. Thanks for your support.

A: Well you can never go wrong with the basic cookies. The chocolate chip, oatmeal raisins, and the classic butter cookies are easy and fun to make. The little ones and adults will find these recipes delightful.

WORD OF THE DAY: Holiday Spirit

The holidays can bring on mixed emotions, some happy and some sad.  However, celebrating the holidays with the people you know and love is something we can’t wait to get started on.

According to the English Dictionary, holiday spirit, also known as the holiday feeling. It is a noun. “It is a positive feeling that people will experience doing the holidays, especially Christmas”. ~English Dictionary~

Livescience.com, reports that some people will feel nostalgic, and they will miss people, places and things from the past. Although, some holidays can create stress and depression, it is important to reach out to someone.  There are many places that can get you in a happy feeling (holiday spirit). The Salvation Army is one place that is always looking for volunteers to help serve up a hot meal to the less unfortunate. You can also visit your local Nursing Homes and bring them some of your delicious cookies.  Your cookies will always put a smile on someone’s face.

If you are not able to venture out, try getting in the kitchen and bake some cookies. I love the way my kitchen smells when I am baking. You can put on some upbeat holiday music and get in the mood. Try it for the first time and see if it works.

RECIPES OF THE DAY: Classic Butter Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Chewy Oatmeal Raisins Cookies.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Stand mixer, or (hand held mixer) Bowls for your Mise En Place, Baking Sheets, Cooling Racks, Spoons, Spatula,

INGREDIENTS:

 Classic Butter Cookies; 2 ½ Cups of All-Purpose Flour, 1Cup Butter (softened), ½ Cup white Sugar, (I added an additional ¼ cup for my taste) 1 egg, ½ Almond extract.

1.     Cream butter until light, then gradually add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Next beat in the egg and almond extract.

2.     Gradually blend in the flour. Cover and chill dough for at least 1 hour

3.     Preheat oven 350 degrees

4.     Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into desired shape. Make sure that the cookies cutters are slightly floured. (You can also roll out into a small dough ball, flatten with a fork). Place cookies on ungreased cookies sheet. (I sprinkled a little more sugar on top of cookies before baking.)

5.     Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Remove immediately to wire cooling rack to cool completely. Decorate with color sugar.

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Chocolate Chip Cookies; (4 dozens), preheat oven at 375 degrees. 1 Cup of granulated sugar, 1 Cup brown sugar, 1 Cup (2 sticks) butter softened , 2 eggs, 1 ½ tsp. vanilla, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt, 3 Cups of All-Purpose flour, 12 ounce of semi sweet chocolate chips, (or use 6 oz of chocolate chips and 6 oz of chopped pecans)

1.     Place sugars, butter, eggs, and vanilla in a stand mixer bowl. Using a flat attachment, turn to speed 2 and mix for 30 seconds. Stop to scrape down bowl as needed.

2.     Next, turn to speed 4, and beat for 30 more seconds. Scrape down again.  Turn to the Stir speed. Gradually add the soda, salt, and flour to the sugar mixture (I usually add the soda, salt, and flour together first) and mix for 2 minutes. Now turn to 2 speed and mix for another 30 seconds.

3.     Add the chocolate chips (and or pecans). Again turn to the Stir speed and mix for 15 Seconds. Drop 1 teaspoonful of dough onto a greased cookie sheet. Make sure they are about inches apart, because they will spread while cooking. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the braking sheet immediately and cool on wire rack. 

Oatmeal Raisins Cookies; (4 dozens) preheat oven 375 degrees. ½ Cup of All-Purpose flour, ¾ tsp. of baking soda, ¾ ground cinnamon, and ¾ Cup butter softened. ¾ Cup granulated sugar, ¾ Cup of packed light brown sugar, 1 large egg, 3 tsp. vanilla, divided, 3 Cups uncooked old-fashioned oats, 1 Cups of raisins, (½ Cup of confectioner’s sugar and 1 TBSP. milk use for icing if desired.)

1.     Lightly grease the baking sheets and set them aside.

2.     Combine the flour, salt, baking soda and the cinnamon in a bowl, and mix together.

3.     Set your speed on 4 and cream the butter and both sugars together in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Next add the egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla; beat until will mix. Next you will add the flour mixture, and beat just until all the dry ingredients are moistened. Next stir in the oats and raisins. Always scrape down the bowl as needed.

4.     Drop a tablespoonful of dough on the prepared cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are light golden brown.

5.     Let cookies stand about 2 minutes on the baking sheet before you transfer them on the wire rack to cool completely.

The Glaze:

1.     Stir together the confectioner’s sugar, milk and the remaining vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Using a fork or spoon, drizzle glaze over the cooled cookies. It is best to store these cookies between layers of waxed paper in lightly covered container.

I hope these recipes bring you joy and happiness like it does for me and my family. Happy Holidays!