Unusual Christmas Cookies

Try some of these unusual combinations to liven up your cookie exchange and bring a smile to the family table this holiday season. They are quick and easy and you probably won't see them on any other tables, but they are oh, so good.

COLA GINGERBREAD also known as

Cookie Bake

GINGER SODA BREAD

When I was a teen my grandmother made these and brought them with her when she came to visit for the holidays. I can still remember the taste today. And now, as an adult, I know why mom and dad would only let us have one. It was the topping!

To one package of gingerbread mix add 3/4 cup of cola.

Mix well.

Stir in one tablespoon of instant coffee and 1 tablespoon of grated orange peel.

Drop by rounded teaspoons onto a parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees.

Gingerbread is done when it springs back when touched lightly in the center.

Cool for ten minutes.

Serve topped with whipped topping, or if you want the traditional topping for this treat serve with hard sauce. The recipe follows.

Hard-sauce: To 1 cup confectioners sugar add two tablespoons of brandy or whiskey. Stir until blended and the sauce is stiff. You may have to add additional sugar on a humid day, or a little less. Spread onto cooled cookies. You can also garnish with candied ginger for a little something extra.

VINEGAR AND COCOA Cookie

Sounds strange but these are delicious. Add a few colored sugar sprinkles to the frosting to give them a festive flair.

Sift together three cups of flour, two cups of sugar, a 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons of baking soda, and ten level tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder in a bowl and set aside.

In another bowl mix together 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 3/4 cup salad oil, and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Add to dry mix. Stir in up to 1/2 cup of water a little at a time. Mixture should be a soft batter but not runny.

Drop onto a greased baking sheet and Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Frost with your favorite frosting.

MAYONNAISE CAKE COOKIES

This may sound surprising but mayonnaise is a blend of eggs and oil, so it makes sense that during the depression my grandmother would think of using it to bake some family treats. To make them more festive for the holidays and special events, grandma would add some nuts and candied cherries to the batter.

Sift together 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 cup sugar.

Cream 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon each, vanilla and almond extract.

Add dry mixture and stir until well blended.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls and bake on a greased baking sheet 10 - 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Frost with your favorite fudge frosting.

CORN MEAL COOKIES

Another family favorite, these will leave you wanting more. And more. And more!

you will need:

1 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1 cup raisins

1/2 cup finely chopped nuts

1/4 cup dried apricots

1/4 cup dried cherries

3 cups cake flour

1 cup yellow corn meal

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt.

Cream shortening. Add the sugar, eggs, and extract and cream until light. Toss the raisins in 1/2 cup of flour and add. Sift the remaining dry ingredients and add, mixing well.

Drop by rounded teaspoons onto a greased cookie sheet. Flatten out with a fork. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes. Cool. Makes about 60 - 2 inch cookies. Store in airtight container for up to a month.

FLAK-O-ROONS

Funny sounding but delicious none the less. Whip these up and you will be an instant hit.

3 egg whites

1/2 teaspoon salt stirred into 1 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups rice flakes

2 1/4 cups coconut- flaked

1 cup chocolate chips

Beat egg whites until stiff adding sugar gradually until soft peaks form.

fold in cereal and coconut.

Drop from a spoon onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Cool.

while cooling, melt the chocolate chips. Using a spoon drizzle the cookies with the melted chocolate in a pleasing pattern. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Optional: You can use white baking chips or a thin frosting tinted with food coloring if you like.

I hope your family enjoys these as much as mine do.

Unusual Christmas Cookies

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Unusual Christmas Cookie Recipes - Cherry Snowball Cookies

These pretty cookies have a surprise cherry in the middle.

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup quick cooking oats

1/2 teaspoon salt

36 maraschino cherries, well drained

Glaze Coating

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl, cream the butter, sugar, water and vanilla.

In another bowl, combine the flour, oats and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture.

Shape a tablespoonful of dough around each cherry to form a ball. Place 2-inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until bottoms are browned. Let cool.

Glaze Coating

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1/4 to 1/3 cup milk

2 cups flaked coconut, finely chopped

Directions

In a bowl, combine sugar and enough milk to make a smooth dipping consistency. Dip cookies into glaze, then roll into coconut.

Makes 36 cookies.

=> Unusual Christmas Cookie Recipes: Spumoni Cookies

The favorite Italian ice cream treat becomes a delicious cookie.

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 squares semisweet chocolate, melted

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

3 to 5 drops green food coloring

1/4 cup candied red cherries, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

3 to 5 drops red food coloring

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually add in the flour and mix well.

Divide the dough into three sections.

Stir chocolate into one section; mix well.

Add pecans and green food coloring to the second portion

Add cherries, almond extract and red food coloring to the third section.

Roll each section between two pieces of waxed paper into 8x6-inch rectangles. Remove the waxed paper.

Place the chocolate rectangle on a piece of plastic wrap. Top with the green and pink rectangles; press together lightly. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill overnight.

Cut the chilled dough in half lengthwise. Return one half to the refrigerator.

Cut the remaining rectangle into 1/8-inch slices. Place 1-inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 5 to 7 minutes or until set. Cool. Repeat with remaining dough.

Makes 84 cookies.

=> Unusual Christmas Cookie Recipes: Chocolate Dipped Spritz Cookies

These classy cookies are dipped in chocolate and decorated with nuts and sprinkles.

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

11 ounces dark, white or milk chocolate candy coating

Chopped walnuts and/or colored sprinkles

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and vanilla.

In another bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder; gradually add to the creamed mixture.

Using a cookie press fitted with your choice of disk, press the dough 2-inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, or until set (do not allow cookies to brown). Let cool.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the candy coating; dip each cookie halfway into coating. Sprinkle with nuts or colored sprinkles. Place on waxed paper until set.

Makes 72 cookies.

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Unusual Christmas Cookie Recipes - Poinsettia Cookies

These baked flower cookies are almost too pretty to eat.

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 egg

2 to 3 drops red food coloring

2 1/3 cups all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup finely crushed red hot candies

Cookie Frosting

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and confectioners' sugar. Beat in the egg and food coloring.

In another bowl, combine the flour and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in the red hot candies.

Divide the dough in half; wrap each half in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough into a a 12x10-inch rectangle. With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 2-inch squares. Place 1-inch apart on prepared baking sheets.

Cut through the dough from the corner of each square to within 1/2-inch of the center. Fold the alternating points of the square to form a pinwheel (one corner folded in, the other left sticking out); pinch gently at the center to seal. Repeat with remaining dough.

Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until set. Let cool.

Cookie Frosting

1 cup confectioners' sugar

4 teaspoons milk

Additional red hot candies

Directions

In a bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar and milk. Pipe 1/2 teaspoon of frosting into the center of each cookie; top with a red hot candy.

Makes 60 cookies.

=> Unusual Christmas Cookie Recipes: Mocha Cookie Pretzel Cookies

These cookies look like chocolate covered pretzels.

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

2 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups cake flour

Cookie Glaze

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Prepare baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg. Beat in the melted chocolate and vanilla.

In another bowl, combine the flour and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until the dough is easy to handle.

Divide the dough into four parts. Divide each portion into 12 pieces. Shape each piece into a 6-inch rope. Twist into a pretzel shape. Place 1-inch apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until set. Cool completely.

Cookie Glaze

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon shortening

1 teaspoon light corn syrup

1 cup confectioners' sugar

3 to 5 tablespoons hot brewed coffee

2 squares white baking chocolate, chopped

Green colored sugar, optional

Directions

In the microwave, melt the semisweet chips, shortening and corn syrup; stir until smooth. Stir in the confectioners' sugar and enough coffee to achieve a glaze consistency. Dip cookies into the glaze; let excess drip off. Place on waxed paper and let set.

Melt the white chocolate, stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Decorate with green sugar. Let stand until set.

Makes 48 cookies.

=> Unusual Christmas Cookie Recipes: Chocolate Filled Poppy Seed Cookies

A truly unique cookie featuring poppy seeds and a dollop of chocolate in the middle.

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

3 tablespoons poppy seeds

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla.

In another bowl, combine the flour, poppy seeds and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture.

Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2-inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center of each.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately make an indentation in the center again. Cool slightly and fill with melted chocolate.

Makes 78 cookies.

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