No Hassle Christmas Cookies Recipe

A few years ago I was given a recipe

for some very tasty and no hassle Christmas cookies.

I really like them, not only because they are really good

but also because they are very easy to make.

And plus, the dough can be made in advance and kept in the freezer

till it's time to bake.

That's what I did today.

Last week I had made the dough and froze it.

Last night I got out half of it and put it in the fridge.

And this morning I baked my cookies.

For those of you searching around

for a quick and easy recipe for Xmas,

here it goes.

For the ingredients, you'll need:

- 1 3/4 cups sugar

- 1 1/2 cups of softened butter or margarine

- 1 3/4 cups solid shortening

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

- 1 egg

- 8 1/2 cups flour

In a big bowl mix together the sugar, butter, shortening, salt and vanilla

(I recommend to use a really big bowl and electric mixer,

I've used my Kitchen Aid, because it will be really full).

When everything is well blended, add the egg and blend well again.

Then, slowly and carefully, start adding the flour,

one cup at a time and mixing well in between additions.

The dough will be very thick and the bowl really full.

Cut wax paper in rectangles,

big enough to hold a log of dough

(for this amount of dough I got six logs with about 10" each (length).

Divide the dough in 6 portions

(one portion for each wax paper rectangle).

By wrapping the wax paper around the dough and helping with your hands, form a nicely shaped log

(don't forget to tap each end to make them look prettier).

When you're happy with the log shape, wrapped it around the wax paper

and put it aside.

Do the same for all the dough portions.

Now, you have to refrigerate the dough logs,

at least for about a couple of hours

(like I mentioned before, I've froze mines and later thawed them in the fridge).

When you are ready to bake, get one log from the fridge

and slice it

(about 1/2 inch thick slices).

Arrange them on the cookie sheet

(they won't spread out, so they can be placed quite close to each other). Then, with your thumb, make a indention on each of the cookies.

Place in the preheated oven (350 Fahrenheit) for about 10 minutes

(they should be very lite in color).

Let them cool.

Meanwhile, prepare the icing.

You'll need:

- 2 cups powder sugar

- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 1 tablespoon water

(add the water little by little and check for consistency,

you don't want it too runny)

- food coloring of your choice

Mix everything till blended and smooth.

With a small teaspoon, pour a little bit of icing

on each indention on the cookies

(see?, now you know what the thumb holes were for...).

Don't pour too much or it will run down the cookie.

Let it solidify for a bit.

Put it in a pretty tin,

or pack it in gift recipients

for a Christmas stocking stuffer or gift.

They are yummy!

Enjoy, and I'll see you all later!