Cookies! Part 2

The next cookie recipe we made was Grinch Cookies, another Christmas cookie from a couple years ago.  

Rachel didn't quite get the "roll into a ball" concept.  She preferred to use it as play dough instead.

A red and blue sprinkle cake mix made them even prettier. :)

Speaking of blue, next up are Landen's accidental Hannukah cookies!  I had made a batch of these using green food color on Friday night and since we had more Kisses, Landen decided to make another batch.  Well, he accidentally used blue food color instead of green.  They would make excellent 4th of July cookies, too!

Peppermint Twist Kisses

(from Simple & Delicious magazine)

36 candy cane or chocolate Kisses (freeze before use)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg yolk

1/2 tsp mint extract

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

4-8 drops red food color

Cream butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg yolk and extracts.  Gradually beat flour into creamed mixture.

Divide dough in half; tint one portion red, green, blue, or whatever color you wish!  Divide each half into 4 portions and shape into 9 inch long rolls.  Place one red log next to to one white log; twist gently to create one swirled roll.  Roll gently until it becomes one log.  Repeat with remaining dough.  Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350. Unwrap dough and cut into slices (about 9).  Shape each into a ball and place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Flatten slightly.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Immediately press a Kiss into the center of each cookie.  Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.  

Put in refrigerator to keep Kisses from melting.