Gails Christmas Cookies Food

GAIL'S CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar.
• Beat in eggs.
• Add sour cream and flavoring, mix well.
• Sift in dry ingredients.
• Refrigerate 8 hours or more.
• Roll thin.
• Cut with cookie cutters, making a hole for hanging.
• Bake at 350°F until only slightly brown, about 7-10 minutes.
• Cool.
• Icing: Whip egg white until stiff.
• Add sugar and lemon juice as needed.
• Ice cookies.
• Decorate and let dry.
• Put dental floss through hole and hang on tree (making sure they are above level of hungry children or pets, or not!).

GAIL'S FAMOUS CHRISTMAS PUNCH

Steps:

• Mix cranberry juice, orange juice, vodka, orange liqueur, sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg in a punch bowl. Refrigerate 2 hours to overnight. Serve punch over ice; garnish with orange slices.

CHRISTMAS OATMEAL COOKIES

Steps:

• Place racks in upper third of oven and preheat to 350°F.
• In a large bowl with electric mixer, beat butter, brown sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
• Add eggs and mix until thoroughly incorporated.
• Add oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Mix on low speed until blended.
• Add craisins (i.e. cranberry raisins) and nuts, if using, and mix on medium speed until incorporated.
• Drop batter by heaping tablespoons 1 1/2 inches apart onto greased baking sheets.
• Bake for 10 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Cookies will feel soft but will firm up as they cool.
• Let stand on baking sheets 2 minutes before transferring to racks to cool.