GimmieRecipes

Easy & Frugal Recipes You'll Love

You are here: Home / Archives for christmas recipes

Cookie Recipes: Vanilla Crispies – Christmas & Valentines Cookie

by

Vanilla Crispies Cookies Recipe

Whether it’s for Christmas, Valentines or Easter – these cookie recipes can’t be beat! Use vanilla cookies with different colored sprinkles or sugar to fit the occasion!

These Vanilla Crispies Cookies are simple, easy and delicious.  They melt in your mouth!  Also, they are tender and crispy and quite addicting!

Of course, we think they’re the perfect Christmas cookies! Santa will love these and your family will too. I can’t say for certain that Santa chooses houses with the best cookies first, but why risk it?

Tips & Ideas

These cookies are easy to make and include ingredients that you probably already have in stock, with the possible exception of colored sugar. The original recipe calls for plain white sugar, but adding red, green, gold, etc. makes them more festive for the holidays.

Forming the cookie

I like to use the base of a wine glass to press down and shape the cookies.  They are best when they are very thin, and the round base also serves as a way of making sure they are all the same size. You will need to get the base sticky by dipping the first time into the cookie dough in bowl, then set it into the sugar mixture (sugar mixture should stick to base of glass), and then press onto the cookie dough ball.  Lift slowly so as to not mess up the cookie.  If your cookie doesn’t have enough sugar on top, you can do it again as needed.

Don’t overdo it!

Watch the time very closely.  I always start with first pan on bottom rack of oven, timed for 4-5 minutes, then transfer to top shelf when second pan is ready/timer goes off.  I time/watch them very closely because they are best when they are not over baked.

Let cookies cool for a few minutes before removing from cookie sheet with a sharp (not blunt) spatula to remove the cookies.

I used two different kinds of cookie sheets, one was dark colored, non-stick surface and the other was silver/aluminum double-wall insulated. The aluminum pan really gave the best results but took a couple of minutes longer.  It’s worth the wait, I’d say. 🙂

Be sure to PIN on Pinterest!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Cookie Recipes: Vanilla Crispies – Christmas & Valentines Cookie

  • Author: gimmie
Print Recipe

Description

Vanilla Crispies are light, crisp cookies full of flavor and sweetness! The thinner the better! They’re the perfect treat to leave out for Santa Claus!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 C sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 C butter, soft
  • 2 t. vanilla extract
  • 2 C flour
  • 1/2 t. baking soda
  • 1/2 t. cream of tartar

Instructions

  1. Preheat over to 350°F (177° Celsius).
  2. Cream sugar, egg, butter and vanilla extract.
  3. Mix in flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
  5. Shape into 1-inch balls, place 2-inches apart on cookie sheet. Flatten with a glass or jar which has been dipped in sugar.
  6. Bake for 8-10 minutes until light brown on edges. Do not overcook!

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Tom and Jerry Batter Recipe ~ Holiday Hot Drinks

by

Tom and Jerry Batter Recipe ~ Holiday Hot Drinks

Nothing warms you up on a cold winter night like a hot toddy, hot buttered rum, mulled cider or eggnog. But, here in the Midwest “Tom and Jerry” are all the rage! They’re not cheap though, so here’s how you can make your own with our Tom and Jerry Batter Recipe.

Years ago, alcoholic drinks served warm used to be thought of as having medicinal, healing properties.  My grandma would drink a “hot brandy” – brandy mixed with hot water and a spoonful of sugar – before bed when she wasn’t feeling good.  She thought it helped her relax, get warm and get some sleep.

Tom and Jerry Batter is non-alcoholic, but is traditionally served with rum and/or brandy. Being very “eggy” tasting, not everyone likes them. But, for those who do – the holidays just aren’t the same without them. Even my little girl loves the batter (without liquor, of course!!) The NYT calls Tom and Jerry a “relative of eggnog.”

Price breakdown

Tom and Jerry Batter is sold in grocery and liquor stores in the Midwest during the holidays. You can usually find it in the store in the dairy aisle. But, Tom and Jerry Batter can cost upwards from $5 or more for a single container!! You only use a few spoonfuls per cup, but it still adds up fast.  So, save some money this Christmas and make your own Tom and Jerry Batter!  It’s easy and cheap!

Store it for later

To store Tom and Jerry mix, keep in refrigerator for up to 14 days, or three months frozen.

Tom and Jerry Batter Recipe ~ Holiday Hot Drinks

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Tom and Jerry Batter Recipe ~ Holiday Hot Drinks

  • Author: gimmie
Print Recipe

Description

Tom and Jerry batter is the perfect accompaniment to a Hot Toddy style drink enjoyed prmiarily in colder months, and for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Mix with Rum or Brandy for an adult-drink that will warm you up fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 large eggs, separated
  • ½ t. salt
  • 1 lb butter, room temperature
  • 3 lbs confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 t. vanilla extract
  • 1 t. ground nutmeg
  • 1 t. ground cloves
  • 1 t. ground allspice

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl (metal or glass works best), beat egg whites with salt until foamy and stiff peaks form. In other words, when you lift your beater or whisk straight up, the egg whites should form a sharp peak that holds its shape.
  2. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks to soft peaks.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add the egg yolks and vanilla to the large bowl with butter mixture and mix thoroughly.
  5. Stir in the nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and egg whites, and beat until well blended.
  6. To store Tom and Jerry mix, keep in refrigerator for up to 14 days, or three months frozen.

Notes

To make a traditional Tom and Jerry drink:

  1. Fill a cup or mug 3/4 full with hot water.
  2. Add 1 shot (jigger, or 1 oz) rum or brandy (or both!), OR you can use warm milk, hot cocoa, or eggnog
  3. Add a heaping tablespoon of Tom & Jerry batter.
  4. Enjoy responsibly!

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Grandma’s Walnut Squares Bars Dessert Recipe

by

Grandma's Walnut Squares Bars Dessert Recipe

Grandma’s Walnut Squares Bars Dessert Recipe

Yum!!!  You will not be disappointed with this yummy, Grandma’s Walnut Squares Bars Dessert Recipe. It’s tried and true, handed down from generation to generation. And, everyone is more than happy to test the walnut squares to make sure they’re okay. Or, they’re wiling to try out a few batches if needed!

These are SO yummy and addicting. To me, they taste like Christmas! Your family will love them!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Grandma’s Walnut Squares Bars Dessert Recipe

  • Author: gimmie
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
Print Recipe

Description

My Grandma Evelyn was a master baker. She made my wedding cake, which was as beautiful as it was delicious. Baking was just one of her talents, and there’s nothing better than her Walnut Squares Bars Dessert Recipe!

Ingredients

Scale

CRUST

  • 1/2 C butter
  • 1 T (heaping) brown sugar
  • 1 C flour

FILLING:

  • 1 t. baking soda
  • 1 C brown sugar
  • 1/2 t. salt
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 t. vanilla extract
  • 2 T flour (heaping)
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

FROSTING

  • 2 C sifted powdered sugar
  • 1/2 C butter
  • 1 t. vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 T milk

Instructions

  1. Mix the crust ingredients (like a pie crust)
  2. Pat into an 8-inch square pan. Bake 5 minutes at 350° F (177° Celsius)
  3. To make “filling”, beat eggs and add the remaining ingredients. mix well. Pour over crust and bake for 20 minutes at 350° F (177° Celsius)
  4. While cooling, make powdered sugar frosting by combining all ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Apply to top of dessert once it is completely cooled.
  • Cook Time: 25

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

 

Cake Bite Christmas Tree Recipe

by

Cake Bite Christmas Tree

This Cake Bite Christmas Tree is one of my favorite recipes! I love Christmas, and decorating our tree each year with candy colored lights. So, I knew ahead of time the type of sprinkles I would be using to mimic the colors of our own tree. This recipe takes cake pops/bites to a new level of fun, and it’s actually pretty easy to do!

I’m really happy with the final product! It went great as the dinner table centerpiece at our family gathering recently. Check out the recipe below, and give it a try!

Be sure to PIN on Pinterest!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:179]