Tuesday at the Table

When I asked the question on Giveaway Day yesterday, "What is your most unusual holiday tradition", I didn't anticipate what fun I had in store! There are all sorts of interesting, clever, and yes, unusual traditions out there. I love that many of them revolve around food and the table. 

One of our family's favorite traditions - that of having a huge array of home-baked Christmas cookies to enjoy through the season - has diminished somewhat, with my job so crazy during December and baking helpers growing up and out . . . well let's just say it ain't like it used to be. But if we can manage it, there are a few favorites that are top priority. And those would be Deluxe Sugar Cookies. . . 

Nutmeg Logs. . .

photo  courtesy of The Deutsch Girl

and Buttermint Cookies.

Just in case you're needing some new holiday cookies to add to your repertoire, here's some tasty suggestions! Enjoy!

Deluxe Sugar Cookies
1 cup butter, soft
1 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
colored decorator's sugar

Mix thoroughly butter, confectioner's sugar, egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Blend in flour, soda, and cream of tartar. Cover and chill 2-3 hours.

Heat oven to 375-degrees. Divide dough in half. Roll each half to 3/16" thick on lightly floured board. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters; sprinkle with decorator's sugar. Place on lightly greased baking sheet and bake 7-8 minutes or until light brown on the edges. Makes 5 dozen. from Betty Crocker's Cookbook

Nutmeg Logs
3/4 cup sugar
8 oz. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. rum extract
1 egg
3 cups flour
1 tsp. nutmeg

Combine sugar, butter, extracts, and egg. Add flour and nutmeg. Divide into six parts; roll each part to 24", then cut into 3" lengths. Place logs on cookie sheet and bake 12-15 minutes at 350-degrees.

Make frosting by combining:
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 oz. butter, soft
2-3 Tb. milk
1 tsp. rum extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Frost cooled logs by spreading across the top of each cookie. 'Score' by running a fork along the length of each cookie. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Makes 4 dozen.

Buttermint Cookies
1# butter
3/4 cup sugar
3 1/2 cup flour
2 tsp. mint extract
granulated sugar for finishing

Combine ingredients and roll into balls. Press one time with a fork that's been dipped in sugar. Bake 15-20 minutes at 300-degrees. While still warm, 'roll' each cookie in sugar. Makes 6 dozen.