Crazy Christmas Cookies

When I was growing up, we made slice-and-bake cookies. My mother liked to keep her kitchen clean so never made our own homemade Christmas cookies. It's been one of those things I've always wondered about, but just hadn't tried.

Three years ago, this changed. I, along with my grown-up children, made Christmas cookies for the very first time. My daughters are now 28, 25, and my son is 18. We made a mess and laughed the whole time--especially when Katie decorated hers with orange and purple icing. We're getting together December 13th to do our Christmas Cookie Baking Tradition again.

That first rainy December afternoon in the kitchen, some new truths settled in my heart.

1. God made us to be creative.
2. It's okay to make cookies that don't look like the ones in the magazines.
3. You can start a new tradition at any time.

Katie gave me her recipe to share with y'all. It's from Betty Crocker.

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies--and it makes a bunch.

1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup shortening
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 2/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 425.

Mix sugar, butter (or margarine), shortening, vanilla, egg, in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients. Divide dough into three pieces. You can refrigerate the other two while you're making the first set. Roll into 1/4 inch thinness on lightly floured surface. Use cookie cutters to make cookies. Cook for 6-8 minutes on un-greased cookie sheet.

Have fun decorating. Use orange and purple icing if you want to! It's ooooo-kay. :-)

Love,
Julie