Friday, October 2, 2009

Cinnamon Crisps-Week 1

I know this is crazy, but do you realize that there is only 12 weeks until Christmas? When you look at it that way, it seems like it is so close, I guess it really isn't that far away. This brings me to this...12 weeks of Christmas cookies. I do alot of baking at Christmas and always wait until the last minute to try to get it all in, and then I am left with no time to try new recipes. So this should fix that problem. A batch of cookies a week, I think I should be able to keep up. :) Megan is baking along each week as well, so I am hoping to get some new ones from her too! If you have a cookie/bar that you want to share feel free!!

Every year I look forward to the new Better Homes and Garden Christmas Cookies magazine. It is out by the first of October every year and it is loaded with cookie recipes. Any where from drop cookies, to cut outs, to bars...to layered cookies. I have them from the past 12 years. I love them and can't make myself part with them.

These cookies are really good. Crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle, even when they have cooled completely. The picture of these in the magazine, showed them rolled in pearl sugar. I love the look of this, but can't find it here...it is on my "look for and buy" list. Instead of the pearl sugar, I rolled these little babies in granulated sugar and I liked the extra sweetness and glisten that it gave. The addition of molasses in this mixture reminded me of gingerbread, only you don't add any ginger, cinnamon is the only spice in these. So here we have it, cookie #1 in the 12 weeks of Christmas Cookies challenge.

Cinnamon Crisps

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp each baking powder and baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 large egg
1/4 cup light molasses
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
pearl sugar or granulated sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy.

Add baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; beat until well combined. Add egg; beat until blended, then beat in molasses. On low speed, beat in flour until just blended.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls; roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes until cookies are light brown around edges and tops crackle. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

12 comments:

Barbara Bakes said...

What a fun idea! I'm a cookie girl, so I may have to try them all!

Mary Ann said...

I love this idea too. Smart to try a bunch of different recipes before christmas. I love all the holiday baking magazines and special prints that come out around this time of year! So many tempting goodies to try.
These cookies look delicious.

Jeanne said...

Those cookies look fabulous! I can't wait to see what other cookies you bake in the next 12 weeks.

The Blonde Duck said...

So I shouldn't feel bad for sneaking listening to Christmas music then?

Shanbanan said...

Have you tried Sugarbaker's for the Pearl Sugar? Or World Market at Turkey Creek?

Megan said...

I love cinnamon and I know this would be a perfect Fall cookie!

Donna-FFW said...

I buy those magazines each year too. I have a collection of the past 15 or so years. I love your idea of tryng the cookies each week. There are so many good ones in this years issue! Cant wait to see your next choice.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Holy smokes putting it that way DOES make Christmas seem right around the corner!

These cookies look like winners. You know me and cinnamon! :)
~ingrid

Unknown said...

this is a great idea! i need to start getting my christmas goodies together

Megan said...

I saw all the Christmas decorations out at Costco today, so it really isn't far away at all!

I love your idea - and wish I could have joined in. Cookies are always popular in my house, they are the perfect size and I love opening my freezer and discovering a stash of cookies!

Brochure Printing said...

When you put it that way, Christmas seems so near already! I feel like the whole year passed me by! 12 more weeks, yikes! I love your idea of 12 weeks of Christmas cookies, definitely something good to look forward to every week :) Thanks!

Sarah M said...

12 weeks till Christmas? No, i refuse to believe it! I'll look forward to 11 more recipes though! These look mighty tasty.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Cinnamon Crisps-Week 1

I know this is crazy, but do you realize that there is only 12 weeks until Christmas? When you look at it that way, it seems like it is so close, I guess it really isn't that far away. This brings me to this...12 weeks of Christmas cookies. I do alot of baking at Christmas and always wait until the last minute to try to get it all in, and then I am left with no time to try new recipes. So this should fix that problem. A batch of cookies a week, I think I should be able to keep up. :) Megan is baking along each week as well, so I am hoping to get some new ones from her too! If you have a cookie/bar that you want to share feel free!!

Every year I look forward to the new Better Homes and Garden Christmas Cookies magazine. It is out by the first of October every year and it is loaded with cookie recipes. Any where from drop cookies, to cut outs, to bars...to layered cookies. I have them from the past 12 years. I love them and can't make myself part with them.

These cookies are really good. Crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle, even when they have cooled completely. The picture of these in the magazine, showed them rolled in pearl sugar. I love the look of this, but can't find it here...it is on my "look for and buy" list. Instead of the pearl sugar, I rolled these little babies in granulated sugar and I liked the extra sweetness and glisten that it gave. The addition of molasses in this mixture reminded me of gingerbread, only you don't add any ginger, cinnamon is the only spice in these. So here we have it, cookie #1 in the 12 weeks of Christmas Cookies challenge.

Cinnamon Crisps

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp each baking powder and baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 large egg
1/4 cup light molasses
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
pearl sugar or granulated sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy.

Add baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; beat until well combined. Add egg; beat until blended, then beat in molasses. On low speed, beat in flour until just blended.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls; roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes until cookies are light brown around edges and tops crackle. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

12 comments:

Barbara Bakes said...

What a fun idea! I'm a cookie girl, so I may have to try them all!

Mary Ann said...

I love this idea too. Smart to try a bunch of different recipes before christmas. I love all the holiday baking magazines and special prints that come out around this time of year! So many tempting goodies to try.
These cookies look delicious.

Jeanne said...

Those cookies look fabulous! I can't wait to see what other cookies you bake in the next 12 weeks.

The Blonde Duck said...

So I shouldn't feel bad for sneaking listening to Christmas music then?

Shanbanan said...

Have you tried Sugarbaker's for the Pearl Sugar? Or World Market at Turkey Creek?

Megan said...

I love cinnamon and I know this would be a perfect Fall cookie!

Donna-FFW said...

I buy those magazines each year too. I have a collection of the past 15 or so years. I love your idea of tryng the cookies each week. There are so many good ones in this years issue! Cant wait to see your next choice.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Holy smokes putting it that way DOES make Christmas seem right around the corner!

These cookies look like winners. You know me and cinnamon! :)
~ingrid

Unknown said...

this is a great idea! i need to start getting my christmas goodies together

Megan said...

I saw all the Christmas decorations out at Costco today, so it really isn't far away at all!

I love your idea - and wish I could have joined in. Cookies are always popular in my house, they are the perfect size and I love opening my freezer and discovering a stash of cookies!

Brochure Printing said...

When you put it that way, Christmas seems so near already! I feel like the whole year passed me by! 12 more weeks, yikes! I love your idea of 12 weeks of Christmas cookies, definitely something good to look forward to every week :) Thanks!

Sarah M said...

12 weeks till Christmas? No, i refuse to believe it! I'll look forward to 11 more recipes though! These look mighty tasty.