I'm Dreaming of a Healthy Christmas...

Every year since my oldest has been old enough to hold a rolling pin I have had her help me make Christmas cookies. This year, however, a flu like illness has invaded our home and I'm not sure that we are going to get around to baking anything before the holiday. We also have a gingerbread house all ready to assemble... but I don't want sick kids in the kitchen.... so until my daughter is well I'll just post my holiday cookie recipes rather than bake them...

Black Pepper Christmas Cookies

I make these cookies every year instead of gingerbread. The black pepper gives them an interesting and unique twist. I generally make these cookies and molasses cookies every year for the holiday season.

3 C. sifted all-purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
3 t. ground ginger
2 t. ground cinnamon
½ t. ground cloves
½ t. ground black pepper
1 C. soft butter
1 ½ C. sugar
1 large egg

Sift flour and baking powder. In another bowl mix together the next five ingredients. Gradually blend in the sugar and then beat in the egg. Gradually stir in the flour mixture. Chill dough several hours or overnight. Roll dough on lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Bake in a preheated oven (375 degrees) or 8-10 minutes. They are ready when the edges are lightly browned. Cool on wire racks and decorate as desired. Yields about 5 dozen.

Here is a photo from 2008:



And 2 from 2009:



Hopefully I will have some to post from this year soon... The heck with a white Christmas... I just want a healthy one.