Snowed in...sweet!

Our Christmas kitchen has been busy, and being snowed in today, the fun had was yummy indeed. First I gave the Salmon Breakfast Casserole (see "recipes" to the right) a trial run and thankfully it was a hit...something we'll make for special occasions/brunches. Next in the oven was Cousin Sharlene's gingerbread cookies. My aunt Karen hosted a family Christmas party at her home many years ago, and cousin Sharlene brought a big batch of her cookies to share. I haven't had a Christmas season without baking her cookies since I got her recipe. They are FUN! Cousin Shar gave me permission to share...everyone should have a cousin as sweet as Sharlene.!
Cousin Sharlene and Aunt Dorothy's Gingerbread Cookies
Bring to boil:
1 1/2 C. butter (3 sticks)
1 1/2 C. sugar
1 1/2 C. molasses (1 jar/12 oz. Grandma's dark or Robust flavor)
2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
Let cool, then add:
3 eggs, beaten
Stir together while molasses mixture is cooling and add:
9 C. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
6 heaping tsp. cinnamon
3 tsp. ginger
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (opt.)
Mix well in large bowl. Put in gallon size Ziploc freezer bag and chill thoroughly in refrigerator. Lightly dust counter with flour and roll out dough to 1/4". Dip cookie cutter edges in flour as needed to ease the cutting. Bake @ 375 for 10-15 minutes.
Frost with buttercream frosting: 1 bag sifted powdered sugar, 1/2 cube butter, 1 tsp. vanilla (clear if you can find- it keeps your white pure), milk (a little at a time 'til you get the right texture.

Here are our family's treat requests this year to keep our Christmas kitchen bustling, our home smelling sweet, and our tummies (& friends' tummies) happy...

Caroline- Chocolate covered pretzels with jimmies (that's sprinkles for you out-of-towners)
Christina- a gingerbread house and gingerbread cookies (we share a good portion of the cookies--each batch is huge)
Thomas- a gingerbread house
Grace- a gingerbread house
Wayne- truffles
Becky- Julee's almond roca
Wesley- Whatever mom wants

We hope you're enjoying the sweet tastes of the season too!!!