Finally, the flour and the sugar are put away. Unlike my mom, I won't be making another batch of Christmas cookies because the tin is low on goodies. That's it...fini!~ I baked 6 different kinds of cookies, a few less than most years. The American standbys are a must...chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin & snickerdoodles. Everyone loves them, Christmas or not. Okay, I'll confess...I also bake them because it keeps my husband from eating too many of my specialty cookies.
Sesame cookies, Nut cups and Italian Christmas Jam cookies, along with the American variety, stuffed the gift boxes I handed out to 25 friends this year. Next year, I may include my pignoli cookies. Just didn't get around to those this year. Oh, I did include my usual fudge....raspberry pistachio, orange walnut, white chocolate peppermint cranberry & my newest- chocolate cherry marshmallow. My son would pout if Momma didn't make a batch or two of Rum Balls, so of course that was on the confection list, too.
I'm not sure about the history of the cookie I'm posting today, but it has always been on our cookie list. Years ago, Mom filled it with prune and chocolate. You really couldn't taste prune, but when I mentioned prune, noses crinkled, sooooo I now fill them with cherry & chocolate. No more prune faces. A few tips and facts. Like many Italian cookies, it is not overly sweet. Great with coffee and tea. Just smear a small amount of jam & chocolate in the center. If you over-fill, it will seep out of the edges. This drove my mom crazy, so it's just not done. If you don't care, then fill 'em up. Be sure to refrigerate the dough...I let it stay overnight. Cut off a piece at a time and put the rest back in the refrigerator as you roll out the dough and shape the cookies. Do roll them out thin..a thick cookie just doesn't taste the same. Of course, you can use whatever flavor jam you want. I found the brand name Solo in raspberry and decided to try that. Unfortunately, it has seeds and I don't like to crunch down on fruit seeds. Though the photo shows raspberry, I changed the jam to cherry. I use a 3 inch round glass for circle shape. Don't make them too large. Powder sugar tops the cookies, but be sure they are cooled. Cookies will be pale in color.
Merry Christmas & Have a wonderful, blessed 2013! Enjoy the cookies.
2 sticks of margarine or shortening (not sure why we never use butter, don't take the chance)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
4-5 Tablespoons sugar
3 1/2 cups of flour
1/2 cup of your favorite flavor Jam
1/2 cup chocolate chips
In a bowl, cream together shortening, cream cheese and sugar. I use my stand mixer.
Gradually add the flour. If the dough feels too sticky, add a bit more flour. Never over mix.
Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. Melt chocolate and jam in a small pot on stove. I use a double boiler.
Roll out dough approx. 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured board or counter. Cut dough into circles and fill center with melted chocolate & jam. Fold circle into half moons and fork edges tightly closed. Place on cookie tray just a bit apart. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until light golden, but not brown!
Cool well and dust with powdered sugar.
Remember To Make Memories At The Table.
Nanette
use butter!!!
ReplyDelete