Tuesday, December 2, 2014

“Lemon Ginger Cut Out Cookies" For "National Cookie Cutter Week"

Welcome, I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend filled with family, friends, food, and fun.  Now that Thanksgiving is behind us for another year, it is time for to prepare for my favorite time of the year, which is Christmas! Have you decorated and put up your glowing tree yet? Were you one of the many people that went Christmas shopping on Black Friday? Did you get all of your gifts on your list? Have you even thought of what to serve for Christmas Eve or Christmas day dinner for your family? I know, here we are and it is December 1st already and it is overwhelming. So many things to do, places to go and not enough time to really enjoy the season. Well, I have one solution for you!

It is time to bring out the cookie cutters! December 1-7th is "National Cookie Cutter Week," just in time for your holiday baking. This may be one thing that you can cross off your “Holiday To Do List.” Do you know what other day is celebrated on December 4th? It is National Cookie Day. So what better way to honor one of the most loved desserts in the world? By making cookies with cookie cutters. “National Cookie Cutter Week” was started in the mid 1990’s by Paula Mullins from KY. She designed a cutter for each year for the “Cookie Cutter Collector’s Club.” Lyn Linder took over in 2007 when Mullins decided she no longer wanted to be involved. What a delightful way to bring in the holiday season!


The holiday season means lots of goodies, especially cookies. In the next few weeks many people will be searching their kitchens, pantry, and drawers for the cookie cutters, which may have been passed down through their family generations. Cookie cutters come in many shapes and sizes. At this time of the year, you see Christmas Trees, Santa, Snowmen, Bells, Stars, Snowflakes, and Gingerbread people to name just a few. Choose simply shaped cookie cutters that are open in the back. If you have cookie cutters that are closed in the back, it is more difficult to work with as the dough warms up, they stick sometimes. Before you make your shape the dough with your cookie cutter, dip the cutter in a small amount of flour. This prevents the cookie cutter from sticking on the dough. Any dough that you use cookie cutters with should be chilled before baking. Cookies can be classified into 3 categories. Dropped cookies, rolled, and pressed cookies. They can have nuts, cranberries, raisins, chocolate chips, and be decorated with sugar icing.  

There is nothing more fun and relaxing than making home made cookies with my cookie cutters that have been passed down from my mom to me. It is a wonderful way to bake with your family and make memories that will last a lifetime. Let this be the day that you buy a new cookie cutter and start your own tradition. Enjoy your home made cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or hot chocolate. Remember Tis’ the season to be merry!


My recipe this week is called “Lemon Ginger Cut Outs.” This recipe I found in the “Taste of Home” magazine a while ago. What drew me to this recipe were the flavor  of lemon, cinnamon, and the ginger all wrapped into one bite. I bet you can’t just have one of these delicious cookies! I sometimes skip the frosting step and sprinkle the colored sugar directly on the cookies before they go in the oven. The end result is just as festive and still yummy.

“Lemon Ginger Cut Outs”

Yield: 96   Prep: 1-1/2 hours & chilling   Bake: 10 min./batch & cooling


Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
4-1/2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Frosting:
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons water
Colored sugar, optional



Directions:
In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add corn syrup, honey and lemon peel. Combine the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and ginger; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle. Divide dough into fourths. On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into desired shapes with floured 2-in. cookie cutters. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Repeat with remaining dough. For frosting, in a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and enough water to achieve desired consistency. Spread over cookies. Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired.

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As I end this post, I have one last event that I must share with you my readers. Today happens to be my parents “63rd” Wedding Anniversary. As I reflect on many memories, this poem says it all. "Happy Anniversary," Mom and Dad, Thank you, and I love you both. 


(mom & dad Wedding December 2, 1951)
One by one each year flew by. Since you both said “I do”
63 years of memories, Shared by the two of you.
From big events and holidays, To simple daily pleasures,
Some tearful times along life’s way, Some joys that can’t be measured
One by one each year now gone, But still they’re yours forever,
Each and every memory. Of “63” Years together!


Till Next Time………………

Copyright © 2014 “Family Plus Food Equals Love”  All Rights Reserved

10 comments:

  1. Good evening dear Dottie ,
    What a wonderful post about the cookie cutters and right on time , I had to smile when you said get the cookie cutters out , my kids buy me a new cookie cutter each Christmas , my hubby started with our oldest son 13 years ago and he was only 1 month old (giggling) . I laughed so hard I almost peed myself .
    A good post as usual and thanks for sharing the cookies .

    Happy anniversary to you parents and many more years of happiness and as you so pointed out the good memories far out weight the not so good memories , Dottie , you are dearly blessed dear .
    I am so glad you are feeling a little better , don't rush it , take one day at a time . Thanks so much for sharing .... see you later ~Nee~~ ;-D

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    1. Good evening Nee, Thank you for your visit. Well, you must have a delightful collection by now, after 13 years. That is such a wonderful idea! So glad that you liked this post and my recipe. Can't have Christmas without cookies! Thank you for your comment about my parents. I will tell them you sent your wishes. Yes, 63 years is a big accomplishment. Yes, I am blessed with a family and friends that are wonderful dear friend. Yes, I am taking it one day at a time, that is my favorite saying. I am resting inbetween my work on the blog etc. Thanks for always thinking about me. You are very kind and a good friend. Have a blessed night and day....Dottie :).

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  2. Oh yes cookies!! I love baking them too and of course over Christmas time that is must do! I think there is nothing better then having a good cup of coffee with homemade cookies.
    Thank you for sharing your recipe, I like the idea of putting a little colored sugar at least over Christmas time, it gives the biscuits a festive look.
    I love the photo of your parents' wedding. Was that in Italy? Your mum looked beautiful. Happy anniversary to them! 63 years together is a big achievement!"

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    1. Dear Alida, Thanks for stopping by.You are correct, dear friend cookies are a must especially at Christmas...and I love a fresh cookie after baking with a cup of something hot. Perfect! I know I love the photo of their wedding. It must have been a beautiful affair. No it was not in Italy, They got married at St. Finbar's in Brooklyn and then went to NYC for the reception at the Governor Clinton Hotel. My mom's gown was handmade from a friend of my grandmothers. Each bead and sequin were placed by hand. She had a jacket that matched the gown for the church. It was gorgeous and my mom was and still is very beautiful. It is a big dea. They had a huge party when they reached 50 years, but my mom say's after that each year you have to celebrate, one just never knows! Thanks for your comment. Enjoy and will talk to you soon,,,Dottie :)

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  3. Dear Dottie, What a wonderful blessing to celebrate your parents 63rd anniversary. The poem really does say it all about life. It is a beautiful poem and celebration.
    The cookies sound so good. They are very so festive for the holiday.
    Blessings dear. Catherine

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    1. Dear Catherine,
      Thank you for your comment and visiting...Yes, a big achievement to be married "63" years. They don't make the people like our parents and grandparents anymore. Must have been the genes or the way they lived. It always seems that their marriages lasted lifetimes. God Bless them and I am very grateful that I have both of them in my life. Yes, the poem is not mine, I am not as talented as you, but saw this and thought it was perfect for my parents. I just had another two of these cookies with a cup of tea. I could eat the whole patch for sure. So good...and yes festive. I hope that the rest of your week is a blessed one for you and your family.
      Dottie :)

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  4. I love lemon! One of my favorite flavors. Haven't had it combined with ginger in a cookie, though. Love the idea! Wonderful stuff -- thanks.

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    1. Hi John, so nice to hear from you. Thanks for your visit, I agree I love lemons and with the ginger the flavor is fascinating! You have to try them especially if you love the lemon flavor. Thanks for your comment...have a wonderful night! Dottie :)

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  5. Happy Cookie Cutter Week Dottie!!! And Happy Cookie Day in advance:) You chose just the right cookies as far as I'm concerned like John, I LOVE lemon!!! Add a bit of ginger and I am in heaven:)

    Thanks so much for sharing Dottie. Wishing your parents a very Blessed anniversary with many many more:)

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    1. Hi Louise, Thanks for visiting and your comment! Happy Cookie Day as well! I am glad that you loved this recipe. I also love lemons and the flavor. These cookies have the ginger too, which makes it extra special. They are so delightful, bet you can't just have one! Thank you for wishing my parents a blessed anniversary. I will tell them you sent your blessings. Have a great rest of the week...Dottie :)

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