Christmas Cookies 2013

This year Christmas cookies were mostly in ball form. Simple, easy, quick but look nice. Perfect for our first year really needing to have a full birthday party along with the holidays. Three is definitely the age when they understand birthday party and have expectations. This was also the first year G insisted on helping in the kitchen and these are easy enough for an almost 3 year old to make, with a little help, of course.

The non-ball cookie: Almond Coconut Chip

I like to store the ball cookies in the refrigerator for a few days before eating. The flavor definitely improves with time. These were packed in pretty tissue in boxes and clear containers but did I remember to take any pictures? No. Sorry, maybe next year!

Brownie Balls, flavored with either rum or coffee, depending on the recipients, were the simplest. There's not much of a recipe. Bake a 9x13-inch pan of chewy or fudgy brownies from a mix or scratch. Cake brownies do not work so well. When cool, crumble up in a bowl and stir in 6 Tablespoons of coffee or spiced rum. Roll into 1-inch diameter balls. To make fancy, roll in sprinkles or shredded coconut.

Lime Coconut Balls came next, some in a Margarita version.

113 g melted butter (4 oz, 1 stick, 1/2 cup)
400 g brown sugar (2 cups)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
250 g flour (2 cups)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
zest of 3 limes
3 Tablespoons lime juice
3 Tablespoons tequila or lime juice
1/4 cup flaked sweetened coconut

Preheat oven to 325 F. Grease a 9x13-inch pan.

In a large bowl, whisk together butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Spread in prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until tester comes out mostly clean. Let cool.

Crumble into a bowl and stir in lime zest, lime juice, tequila, and coconut. Roll into 1-inch diameter balls. Makes approximately 30.

And, finally, Almond Coconut Chip Cookies. These were supposed to be balls but spread too much in the oven.

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour (60 g)
1/2 cup almond meal
1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
4 oz melted butter (1 stick, 113 g, 1/2 cup)
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.

In a large bowl, stir all ingredients together to combine. Scoop 1 Tablespoon balls onto prepared baking sheet. Bake until light golden on bottom, 9-10 minutes. Makes approximately 60 cookies.