Cookies are Always a good idea

I was feeling a bit of “mom guilt” since the kids and I never got a chance to bake cookies together before Christmas, what with all the traveling and such.

So… we made some post-Christmas, Christmas cookies.  Which I think was a stellar idea and we may do every year from now on since we were totally chill about it and just had fun.

The boys and I did all of the baking and decorating while K was napping because let’s face it, toddlers and flour just don’t really mix. No pun intended.  And she was cool with just eating the fruits of our labor.  Trust me.

Here’s my right-hand man in the baking department…

And then the chief flour-catcher and beater-licker came on the scene (also known as Little G).

I decided to limit our cookie cutter choices to only three and we made snowmen, “ginger men” and Christmas trees.  The boys did a really great job and The B Man was especially proud of his creations, as was I.  He is my little artist after all. And Little G was really good at putting the cut-out cookies on the pan.  I’m thinking in the next couple of years I can just sit in the other room with my coffee while the kids do all the work baking. Right?

And just because I fee like sharing here’s the recipe for the super easy sugar cookies I make every year:

2 sticks butter at room temp

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp kosher salt

Beat butter and sugar together in bowl of electric mixer on medium until smooth.  Add egg and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla and reduce mixer speed to slow.  Mix flour and baking soda and salt in a bowl. Gradually add flour mixture until well blended and dough thickens.  You may need to add a little more flour.  Shape into a 1-inch flat disk, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll dough out on floured surface to 1/4 inch thick and cut into shapes. Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

I found the frosting recipe on Pinterest.

You know, if you want to make some New Year cookies…  It’s never too late. ;P

p.s. Miss Elaine-ous Monday will be back next week.  Hope you will all link up!  Any post will do!