Christmas Cookies 2014

This is what I made so far this year but I also went to the annual Biggest Cookie Sale and brought home some goodies too.

Cran-Pistachio Cookies - this is a favorite of mine for the taste and color it brings to a cookie plate
from http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/cran-pistachio-cookies/e36c24c7-851f-4785-8a9e-13672ef9d97c

Ingredients

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix
1 box (4-serving size) pistachio instant pudding and pie filling mix
1/4 cup  all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 eggs
1 cup dry-roasted salted pistachio nuts, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

Directions
1 Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir together cookie mix, pudding mix and flour. Stir in melted butter and eggs until soft dough forms. Add pistachios and cranberries; mix well.
2 Using a teaspoon, drop dough 2 inches apart on lined cookie sheet. Press with fingers to slightly flatten.
3 Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

Please note: I did not use parchment paper nor a scoop. I think the parchment paper might have given a less brown on the bottom result but the boys were pleased with their results anyway.


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Caramel Bit Snickerdoodles from Betty Crocker adapted by me

Ingredients

1/2 bag Kraft Caramel Bits
1 pouch Betty Crocker™ Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix
Butter, egg and water called for on cookie mix pouch


Directions
1 Heat oven to 375°F. Make cookie dough as directed on cookie mix pouch.
2 Shape heaping tablespoons of dough into 36 balls, flatten slightly. Press caramel bits into cookie but not all the way through. If necessary, work with lightly floured fingers so dough doesn't stick.
3 In small bowl, mix cinnamon sugar mixture from cookie pouch and the salt. Roll balls in sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheets.
4 Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set (centers will be soft). Cool 2 minutes on cooking sheet. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.


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Cake Mix Gooey Butter Cookies

from http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/cake-mix-gooey-butter-cookies/f7a9017b-870f-4b20-b37f-392f53c65fbc

The grandsons say these taste like donuts!

Ingredients

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

1 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ yellow cake mix

Directions

1 Heat oven to 375°F.

2 In medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter with spoon until well blended. Stir in vanilla and egg. Add cake mix; stir until well combined.

3 Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in powdered sugar to coat. Place 1 inch apart on un-greased cookie sheets.

4 Bake 11 to 15 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.