Christmas cookies - gift idea
Gingerbread Cookies in a Jar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 gingerbread boy-shaped cookie cutter
Use
a clean jar and press each layer down firmly. Put in half of
the flour along with the baking powder and baking soda. Add the spices
and the remaining flour. Add the brown sugar last. Tie a ribbon around the top of the jar and attach the cookie cutter and the directions below.
Attach these directions to the jar:
Gingerbread Cookies
Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly. Mix in
1/2 cup softened butter, 3/4 cup molasses and 1 or 2 eggs. Mix until
completely blended. Cover and refrigerate 45 minutes. Preheat oven to
350°F. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut
into shapes. Place cookies on lightly greased cookie sheet about 2" apart. Bake 10 to 15 minutes. Decorate with icing.
Cinnamon Christmas stars
200g ( 7 oz ) finely ground Hazelnuts or Almonds
110g ( 4 oz ) plain ( all-purpose ) flour, sifted
150g ( 5 1/2 oz ) caster sugar
150g ( 5 1/2 oz ) unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons of cinnamon, sifted
1 tablespoon of dark rum
the grated rind of 1 lemon, unwaxed or organic
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sift the flour, ground Hazelnuts or ground Almonds, cinnamon and baking powder together
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add the sugar, egg, lemon peel, rum and cubed butter
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mix the ingredients very quickly into a smooth dough
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place into a bowl, cover with cling film and refrigerate over night
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roll out on a floured board and cut into star shapes
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place on greased baking tray
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bake 10-12 minutes at 180C ( 350F/ Gas 4 )
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leave to cool on wire rack
