I hope you enjoyed Ready to Trust.
Tucker's story comes out for real at Christmas. You can preorder His Holiday Prayer here.
In the meantime, here are some of my family's Christmas cookie recipes.
Italian Spice Cookies
1 14 c. margarine
1Tbsp. orange rind
1 ¾ c. sugar
1/3 c. orange juice
4 eggs
¼ c. raisins (optional)
5 c. flour
1 c. nuts (optional)
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp. allspice
4 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. cloves
1 ¼ c. cocoa
½ tsp. nutmeg
¾ c. buttermilk
½ black pepper
Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and beat well. Sift flour, soda, salt, spices and cocoa together. Add dry ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Blend in orange juice; fold in raisins and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoon onto greased baking sheets. (I roll by hand. Grease your hands first as the dough is sticky!)
Bake 8 minutes at 400 degrees. Do not overbake. Should be moist and not dry. Cool and frost with a confectionary sugar and milk glaze and decorate. Makes two dozen. Store in airtight container or freeze.
Sugar Cookies
4 1/2 c. flour sifted
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 c. unsalted butter
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. milk
Sift together dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add 2 eggs and beat well. Add sifted dry ingredients, 1 cup at a time, alternating with milk and vanilla. Beat well after each addition. Wrap and chill dough for at least an hour. Divide chilled dough into four pieces. Roll 1 piece at a time. Cut with favorite cookie cutters. Bake for 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes until done but not brown. Frost as desired.
Sesame Cookies (Reginelle)
1/2 lb lard (I use Crisco)
1 c. sugar
3 egs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 tsp. baking powder
3 1/2 c. sifted flour
1/4 c sesame seeds
Mix first three ingredients and add vanilla, baking powder and flour. Mix well. The dough will be soft. You may add another 1/4 cup of sifted flour if needed. Roll, and while rolling add sesame seeds. Cut into small strips. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. They brown fast so keep a close eye on them.
Italian Lemon Cookies
5 c. flour
1 1/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. milk
2 eggs
1/2 lb. margarine melted
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. lemon flavoring
Mix all ingredients together. Roll into balls. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 375 degrees. May roll cooled cookies in confectioners sugar or glaze as desired.
Enjoy!