Christmas Tree Cookie Balls Recipes

ORNAMENT DOUGH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Combine the flour, salt and water; mix well and knead for 10 minutes. Roll out on a lightly floured surface.
• Cut into desired shapes and make holes for hanging. Bake for 30 minutes; allow to cool.
• Decorate with poster paints or tube paints. Allow to dry and spray with clear polyurethane on both sides to preserve. Use ribbon or yarn pieces to hang.

CHRISTMAS BALL COOKIES

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat 1 cup of the butter, 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar and the salt with electric mixer on medium speed about2 minutes or until creamy. Beat in 1/4 teaspoon of the almond extract. On low speed, beat in flour just until combined. Cover; refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper. Shape dough into 48 (3/4-inch) balls. Roll 16 balls in each color of sanding sugar, coating completely. On cookie sheets, place balls 1 inch apart.
• Bake 15 minutes or until set and bottoms are light golden brown. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. In small bowl, beat remaining 1/4 cup butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract and the milk with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. For each sandwich cookie, spread about 1/2 teaspoon filling on bottom of 1 cookie; top with second cookie, bottom side down, to form ball.

DECORATED CHRISTMAS CUTOUT COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill until firm, 1 hour. , On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in thickness. Cut out with Christmas cookie cutters of your choice. Using a floured spatula, transfer cookies to greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° until lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks., Decorate cookies with frosting and colored sugars.

OREO COOKIE BALLS

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese and cookie crumbs until well blended.
• Shape into 48 (1-inch) balls. Freeze 10 min. Dip balls in melted chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan.
• Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

COOKIE BALL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Steps:

• Grind the cookies in a food processor, then add the cream cheese and pulse until the mixture comes together. Transfer to a bowl, cover and chill until firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Scoop the cookie mixture into 36 balls; form each into a bulb shape with your hands. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze 10 minutes.
• Melt the red candy melts in the microwave as the label directs. Remove 9 cookie bulbs from the freezer and insert a toothpick or skewer into the wide ends. Fill a small bowl with red sugar.
• Dip a bulb in the red candy melts, leaving just a small circle around the toothpick uncovered. Let the excess drip off.
• Working quickly, sprinkle red sugar over the whole bulb. Set on a clean parchment-lined baking sheet. Coat the other 8 bulbs with red candy melts and red sugar.
• Repeat with the other colors, making 9 bulbs in each color. Let all the bulbs set at room temperature for at least 20 minutes, then remove the toothpicks.
• Unwrap the Tootsie Rolls; cut them in half crosswise. Use a paring knife to create ridges in each piece to look like the base of a bulb.
• Using some melted candy melts, attach a Tootsie Roll half to the uncovered end of each bulb. Let dry for about 10 minutes.
• Brush the Tootsie Rolls with silver luster dust. Attach the bulbs to licorice laces with more melted candy melts, if desired.