Gingerbread Cookies

So here it is- the final recipe of the cookie countdown to Christmas. We can't believe that we've actually made 25 cookie recipes in 25 days. We have so many cookies and many of our friends and family have been able to enjoy them! We have loved every minute of this experience but are looking forward to a short break. But we will be back to bake more! Sometime I'll tally the total amount of flour, butter and sugar we went through during the last 25 days and post that too! For now, here's your recipe.








Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/8 cup buter, softened
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. In a medium bow, mix together the molasses, brown sugar, water and butter until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, allspice, ginger, cloves and cinnamon, stir them into the wet mixture until all of the dry is absorbed. Cover the dough and chill for at least 3 hours.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4" thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake for 8-10 minutes in the oven. Remove from the cookie sheets to cool on wire racks. Once cool, decorate how you would like!!

What are you baking today? Mari & Kait

Cinnamon Hazelnut Biscotti

If you are looking for a great cookie to dunk in your coffee or hot chocolate, look no further!  Our favorite coffee flavor is hazelnut so these pair perfectly!  The original recipe looked delicious but we decided to kick it up a notch.  We added some white chocolate chips into the biscotti's and then also melted some white chocolate to dip and drizzle!  This is optional, but we highly recommend it.  A great gift idea would be to give a tin of these with a box of your favorite coffee or hot chocolate!








Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts
• White chocolate chips (optional)
• White chocolate, melted (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Grease a baking sheet, or line it with parchment paper, set aside
3. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt, set aside
4. Add butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer and cream until light and fluffy
5. Beat in eggs and vanilla
6. Gradually incorporate flour mixture into butter mixture
7. Stir in hazelnuts and white chocolate chips
8. Shape dough into two equal logs (they will be approximate 12 inches long each), and place on baking sheet
9. Flatten them out to about 1/2 inch thickness
10. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until edges are golden and the center is firm
11. Let cool on the pans until cool enough to handle
12. Use a serrated knife to slice the loaves diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices.  Return slices to baking sheet
13. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, turning over half way through
14. Cool completely
15. Melt remaining white chocolate and either dip sides, ends, or drizzle the chocolate over them

To Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature 

Recipe adapted from: All Recipes

What are you baking today?  Mari & Kait