Gails Christmas Cookies Recipes

THESE LEMON COOKIES FROM TOP CHEF'S GAIL SIMMONS ARE A CITRUS DREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300˚F
• For the cookies, in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes
• Add oil, lemon juice and lemon zest and beat to evenly combine
• In a medium bowl, mix together baking powder, flour and salt and slowly add into the butter mixture until dough comes together, scraping down sides if needed
• Dough should be airy and not stick to the sides of the bowl
• Roll dough into thirty 1 ½-inch balls and place on an ungreased baking sheet
• Bake until cookies show cracks in their surface, about 20 minutes
• Let cool completely on baking sheet
• Meanwhile, for the glaze, in a small bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, honey, lemon juice and milk until smooth
• Drizzle and gently spread about 1/2 teaspoon glaze over each cookie and top each with a pinch of lemon zest
• Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days

OMA KIENER'S HAZELNUT CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Beat the butter, sugar, egg, and salt together in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Stir in the flour and baking soda, and mix just until blended. Mix in the hazelnuts.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into 2 1/2 inch log. Wrap snugly in wax paper, and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
• Unwrap, and cut the log into 1/8 inch thick slices. Place on prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart. Brush tops with beaten egg and, if desired, decorate with sprinkles.
• Bake in preheated oven until edges are lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on racks, and store in an airtight tin.

GAIL'S CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar.
• Beat in eggs.
• Add sour cream and flavoring, mix well.
• Sift in dry ingredients.
• Refrigerate 8 hours or more.
• Roll thin.
• Cut with cookie cutters, making a hole for hanging.
• Bake at 350°F until only slightly brown, about 7-10 minutes.
• Cool.
• Icing: Whip egg white until stiff.
• Add sugar and lemon juice as needed.
• Ice cookies.
• Decorate and let dry.
• Put dental floss through hole and hang on tree (making sure they are above level of hungry children or pets, or not!).

GAIL'S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare baking sheets by spraying lightly with Pam.
• 2. Cream butter, both sugars, and vanilla. Beat in egg. Add baking soda and flour mixing only until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips. Use 16x24-inch baking sheets and drop cookies in 3 rows of 4.
• 3. Bake cookies, two baking sheets at a time. After 5 minutes take cookies out of the oven and rap on the stovetop until they deflate. Then return sheets to oven, placing the top sheet on the bottom rack, and the bottom sheet on the top rack. Continue to bake until cookies are golden brown, 4-6 more minutes.
• 4. Transfer immediately from cookie sheet to wire rack for cooling.