The Joy of Christmas

"Joy to the world, the Lord is come" - so the song says.  And, yes, this is the ultimate maker of the joy of Christmas.  But there is that tradition which can bring you extra joy - the joy you get in giving to others.  This is what sparks my hours of labor spent in preparing and sharing cookies and recipes during Christmastime.  I'm sure not making all these cookies for my own self-indulgence in them!  As a general rule - I'm not big on sweets.  So when you see a recipe on my blog, it is for you or whosever will.  I hope you'll try this one:

Farmer Boy Prairie Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups + 2 Tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking soda
• 2 teaspoons of ground ginger
• 1 3/4 teaspoons each, of ground cinnamon and ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 stick + 1 Tablespoon of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 Cup of brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 Cup of unsulfered molasses
• 1/2 Cup of raisins
• 1/3 Cup of nuts, chopped (I use walnuts of pecans)
• 1/2 Cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 Cup of Peanut Butter chips
• (optional - 1/4 Cup of Cinnamon chips)

Directions: Mix flour, soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a large bowl. 

In another bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar.  Add the egg and molasses and beat well.  Add the flour mixture in a little at a time and then the nuts and chips by hand.

Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. *

Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls.  Drop onto parchment paper lined sheet pan.  Bake 20 - 22 minutes at 375 degees F.

Cool on wire rack.

You can store these in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or can they can be frozen.

*Note the dough can be frozen and thawed out for use later.

"Let us make memories carefully of all good things, rejoicing in the wonderful truth that while we are laying up for ourselves the very sweetest and best of happy memories, we are at the same time giving them to others."  Laura Ingalls Wilder

I have some other cookie recipes lined up to post before Christmas, just not the usual dozens this year!  Maybe you'll find something in these postings to make and give to someone else too!  If you do, I hope you'll come back here and leave a comment about it. Thanks.

The Old Man in the Bib Overalls