Christmas Cookie Train Recipes

NATASHA'S RAILROAD COOKIES

Steps:

• For Filling:.
• Combine dates, granulated sugar and water in a medium saucepan; bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, stir over medium-low heat for 3 minutes or until water is absorbed and mixture is thick, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Stir in vanilla and ground nuts. Cool.
• Beat shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a very large mixing bowl. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Stir together 2 cups of flour, the baking soda, cinnamon, cream of tartar, and salt in a medium bowl. Add to sugar mixture; beat well. Beat or stir in the remaining flour to make a firm dough. Divide dough into two portions; wrap and chill until easy to handle.
• Roll half of the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 13x9 inch rectangle and 1/4 inch thick. Spread with half of the filling. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting from one long edge. Cover the roll with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-24 hours. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
• Slice and roll into 1/4 inch thick slices. Place about 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven about 8 minutes or till lightly browned. Cool on wire rack. Store in tightly covered container.

CHOO CHOO TRAIN COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Print and cut out templates (template can be found under the Tips below) to use as guides for cutting train engines, box cars and cabooses, or have similarly shaped 3- to 4-inch cookie cutters ready.
• In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, flour and egg until soft dough forms. On floured surface, roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Use sharp knife and templates, or use cookie cutters to cut 6 train engines, 6 box cars and 6 cabooses. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown around edges. Cool 5 minutes before removing from cookie sheet; cool completely.
• Decorate with icings and candies as desired. Arrange so each engine is followed by a box car and a caboose, making 6 trains. Let stand until set.

CHRISTMAS CANDY TRAIN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, water, meringue powder and cream of tartar; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, 4-5 minutes. Cover frosting with a damp cloth between uses., Break three graham crackers in half, forming six squares; if desired, trim side edges with a serrated knife., Fill pastry or plastic bag with icing. Pipe icing on the edges of a whole cracker for train car base. Attach another whole cracker and the halved cracker at right angles to each other, forming two walls of the engine car. Pipe icing along inside and outside edges for added stability. Repeat with second side and back. , Repeat twice, forming two boxcars. Let engine car and box cars stand until set, about 1 hour., Using icing, attach cookies to cars for wheels. For boiler, attach 1 wafer to front of engine. Microwave two wafers on high until softened, 10-15 seconds. Cut with a serrated knife to form a smokestack and cowcatcher. Attach to engine. Let stand until set., Attach peppermint candies to wheels with icing. Decorate cars with icing, assorted candies and sprinkles., Place cars on a covered cake board. Let stand until set. Fill cars with candies and cookies.