Last Minute Christmas Cookies Recipe

by partysugar 16

Santa Claus is coming to town tonight and you know what that means: he needs cookies! The ritual of baking cookies and leaving them on a plate for jolly old St. Nick is one of my favorite Christmas traditions. If you are eager to bake a last minute batch of cookies — for Santa or your family — I suggest making these peanut butter blossom cookies. They're cute as a button and will fill your house with the delicious aroma. Take a look at the recipe, just read more.

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
From Better Homes and Garden magazine

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
54 milk chocolate kisses or stars

1. In a large mixing bowl beat the shortening and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds.
2. Add the 1/2 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Beat until combined, scraping the sides of bowl.
3. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour.
4. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in the 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Bake in a 350 degree F oven 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned.
6. Immediately press a chocolate kiss into each cookie's center. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.

Makes about 54 cookies.

Make Ahead: bake and cool cookies completely, pressing chocolate kiss into hot cookie center. Arrange cookies in an airtight or freezer container in a single layer; cover with a sheet of waxed paper. Repeat layers, leaving enough air space to close container easily. Freeze up to 1 month.