The Chef Behind the lens

Merry Christmas! I have always loved Christmas and this year is no different. I know we have all been through a lot in 2020 and Christmas is going to look different for most of us. That is more of a reason to keep it special and carry on the traditions and even create new ones.

As a chef one of my favorite traditions has been making Christmas cookies and this year as I carry on with my holiday baking I have added a new and precious gift to it. My sweet 3 year old grand daughter loves to bake. As we work together in the kitchen I share with her the proper terminology and techniques of baking and she totally gets it! Master Chef Junior watch out !!

She really wanted to roll out and decorate Christmas cookies so here we are. 6:30 in the morning and she was ready to get started Ha Ha. She definitely is enthusiastic.

We started with laying out all our ingredients for roll our sugar cookies. "Mise en place" is a hard phrase for a 3 year old, but she understood the concept. Here is the recipe we used and they turned out pretty well. Made a few adjustments and I think we have a winner of a cookie recipe.

Ingredients:

2 sticks softened butter

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 1/2 cups sifted flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 heavy cream

In a mixer cream together the butter and sugar until nicely mixed and smooth. Add the eggs one at a time and the vanilla and mix until incorporated. In a separate blow sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly mix into the egg and sugar mixture alternating with the cream.

For a twist add 1/2 of almond extract or any flavor you desire.

Chill dough in refrigerator for an hour or so.

Now the fun begins !! Roll out in small batches to about 1/4" thick. Cut out with our favorite holiday cutters.

Here is where the decisions begin. You can bake them just like this so you can decorate with icing later or you can decorate with pretty sprinkles before baking! This was what Sienna wanted to so that was an easy decision!

Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 8-9 minutes.

Cool and ENJOY!!

My sweet little sous chef couldn't have been more excited or happy with her creations !!

I know the world looks so different this year but remember to take the time to smell the Christmas tree, hugs those close to you and tell your people you love them. xoxoxo

Thank you for helping me make this blog a reality. Share with your friends to help me grow it and watch for some fun food photos and ideas in the next days !!

Merry Christmas

Love Deb