Baking Party

I had a fun baking party with my in-laws this past weekend. We made way too many treats, and didn't make all that we had planned. It was just going to be the girls, but then neices and nephews and a couple husbands showed up. It was crazy, but fun!

My beautiful Sister-in-Law Aiden, and me frosting the sugar cookies.

 

Here are some of the treats - Ginger Cookies, Candy Cane Shortbread,  Chocolate Dipped Pretzels, and Peanut Butter Kisses. We also made sugar cookies, but we ate them before I got a picture.

They were all delicious. But I have to say my favorite were the Ginger Cookies.

Here is the recipe if you want to make some for Santa this week.

Ginger Cookies

from Paula Deen

3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar, plus more for rolling
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats. Using an electric mixer at low speed, cream the shortening and sugar until thoroughly combined. Add the egg and molasses and beat until completely incorporated. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt and add to the mixture. Stir until combined. Roll the dough into balls about 1-inch in diameter. Roll the balls in sugar. Place 1/2-inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Flatten the balls slightly with your fingertips. Bake for 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks.