One of the most fun things to do during the holidays is baking cookies. It’s a great thing to do with the kids. Or if you are like me and your kids are grown and gone, bake them for the neighbors, the homeless shelter, the hospital staff… anyone who could use a little Christmas cheer. Everyone loves homemade cookies but few people will either have the time or take the time to bake them.

You can pick up inexpensive cookie cutters at almost any discount store. Even if you choose not to make them from scratch, buy the rolls of cookies in the grocery store, roll them out and cut them into shapes. It will bring out the kid in you!

Buy a few colored sprinkles and some milk chocolate that you can melt in the microwave. Bake the cookies and either sprinkle them or dip 1/3-1/2 of the cookie into the melted chocolate and let it cool and dry on a wire rack. Bam you have a great homemade treat.

The first recipe is a great, chewy, brown sugar recipe. The only thing you might not have on hand is heavy cream, but it’s easy to get in the grocery store. This is a good cookie to dip or to paint with color frosting.

The second recipe uses my favorite food group. Cream Cheese. I think it should be it’s own food group. It’s such a versatile ingredient. It’s great in lots of savory and sweet dishes. Anyway, the kids will love these cookies. Sprinkle them while they are hot and try to let them cool before you start “taste testing” them!

The third recipe is the gift in a jar for this year. It’s gingerbread cookies. They taste great and cookies in a jar make a wonderful gift. Tie a pretty ribbon and bow on the jar and your friends and family will love it.

The last recipe is the standard Santa Claus sugar cookie. This is the one the kids will want to put next to the tree for Santa on Christmas Eve. Let them cut this cookie and paint it with colored frosting and you can put them at the kitchen table for an entire evening while the decorate cookies.

Brown Sugar Cookies

2 Cups Sifted Flour, less if possible

1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/2 Cup Butter

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar, Packed

1 Egg

1 Tablespoon 15% Cream (any kind of cream from 10% to 35% will work fine)