Classic Gingerbread by Rachel

Cookies have taken over the blog!  What's a holiday cookie care package without your classic gingerbread. I've always love gingerbread, but had never tried to make it.  After making it, I've definitely learned to appreciate it a lot more.  The work and time it takes to cut out each little man perfectly is something I had severely underestimated!

And you know what else?  The dough is REALLY sticky.  BUT!  Despite these nit-picky little things, gingerbread is, indeed, delicious and is a must-have for a holiday cookie melange!

Ingredients

1 stick of butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup of molasses
2 3/4 cup all purpose flour (plus extra when you are ready to roll out your dough)
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp of salt

makes about 3 dozen thin gingerbread men

Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Trees by Rachel

'Tis the season!!  Having a cookie exchange?  Need to make some cookies for friends?  Well, have I got the cookie for you!

I'm putting together a cookie care package for some of my nearest and dearest friends and I knew I had to include a shortbread, but I wanted something that wouldn't be too sweet to balance out the other cookies that I plan to include.  I had lemons and rosemary in the fridge and thought, "why not?"

Ingredients

2 sticks of butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg, room temperature

1 tbsp fresh, chopped rosemary

1 tbsp lemon zest (about 1 lemon)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/4 cups flour

makes about 30 cookies

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies by Heather

Brandon and I make these cookies every Christmas.  They're really chocolate-y and have an unexpected spiciness to them.  This recipe is adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe.

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup high quality unsweetened cocoa powder 

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. coarse salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

2 large eggs

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp chipotle chile powder

Soft Center Chocolate Cookies by Rachel

For my dear friend, Dana-

I know you love sweets.  You are one of my favorite people to cook for because the smile you get when you taste my food is so gratifying to me.  So, it's probably no surprise to you that I decided to make you a little something special from my kitchen on your special day.  May the next year be extremely happy for you- filled with hugs and kisses from all the people that you love and all the people that love you.  Happy, happy birthday to you!!  :)

xo,
Rachel

Ingredients:
 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
10 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Caramel sauce (recipe found here)