Christmas Cookies and, uh, Decorations...

Susan, of Food Blogga is collecting Christmas Cookies.  What a wonderful idea, I thought. 

Accept I don't bake Christmas cookies until right before Christmas.

She told me I could wait until then to post, but then you wouldn't be able to try these fantastic cookies.

A compromise!

I'll post the photos then, and the recipes now!

And to keep you entertained whilst perusing the recipes I'll show you some of my Christmas ornaments.  Otherwise, no one, other than mon mari and me, will get to see them this year!

Ginger Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
3 Tbsp. dark molasses
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. powdered ginger
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup dark chocolate chunks
extra granulated sugar

1. Cream butter & sugar
2. Add & mix well next 8 ingredients
3. Stir in chocolate chunks
4. Shape into I-inch balls, dip tops
in sugar and place on greased
baking sheet.
5. Bake at 375F (190C) 10 - 12 minutes or
until cookies are browned & firm.

These are caganer (shitters).  They are an integral member of every nativity scene in Catalonia and other parts of northern Spain and Andorra.... including the live nativity scenes.  (Don't ask).

They can be Shepherds, Wise Men, Santas, political figures, priests, sailors, whatever.  The piles of excrement can be large or small; they are almost always smoking pipes.

Yes, I said nativity scenes.  They are usually off to the side by the shepherds....

Peanut Butter Oatmeal

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup brown sugar - packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup chocolate chunks 

1. Cream 1st 4 ingredients
2. Blend in egg & vanilla
3. Combine oats, flour & soda,
blend into creamed mixture.
4. Stir in chocolate chunks
5. Shape into 1-inch ball & place on
ungreased baking sheet
6. Bake at 350F (175)C for 10 - 11 minutes
or just until edges are golden.
Cool 1 minute on sheet.

The 2 little bells were on my mother's mother's Christmas tree and are probably over 100 years old.  The skiing Santa, elf and reindeer were on my mother's Christmas tree since I was little.

The Little Drummer Girl was one of many, many, many gifts I received when I was a 'paper girl'.  The 2 ornaments on either side are the first Christmas ornaments I ever made...from aluminum can lids.

Triple Chocolate Cookies

6 Tbsp butter
7 Tbsp granulated sugar
2 eggs
8 ounces dark chocolate
melted & cooled
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
6 ounces milk chocolate chunks
1 cup chopped walnuts 

1. Cream butter, sugar & eggs
2. Stir in melted chocolate
3. Stir in next 5 ingredients
4. Stir in chocolate chunks & nuts
5. Drop by Tbs onto greased
baking sheet (Dough is sticky)
6. Bake at 350F (175C) about 11 minutes
Cookies should look dry & cracked
but feel soft when pressed - let
cool 5 minutes on sheet.

My cousin in Florida decorated the starfish and sea urchin shell.  The octopus....

Well, she kind of speaks for herself, doesn't she?  Also from Florida.

The 2 goose eggs were made by mon mari's favorite uncle.  We received a package of homemade ornaments every Christmas until he died.

Ice-Box Cookies (Need I say this is an old recipe?)

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp soda
1/4 tsp sal1
1 cup chopped almonds

1. Cream butter, sugar and eggs
2. Stir in the rest of the ingredients
3. Roll into logs about 2" (5cm) wide
wrap in cling film and refrigerate
4. Slice (1/8", .35cm) and bake, 400F
(200C) for 8 - 10 minutes, until light brown

These are great because they can sit in the fridge for
a few days and be baked whenever!

The 3 small eggs are decorated chicken eggs that I bought at a shop in Salzburg that sells nothing but!

And the big one?  Anyone want to hazard a guess?

Remember when L'Egg's pantyhose came in eggs?

Yup, that's a L'Egg's egg, Christmas edition. 

We keep spare ornament hooks inside and hang it right on the tree!

The last photo is just to prove that I do have some traditional ornaments!

Susan's keeping a running recap of all the yummy cookies here - check it out!

And, don't forget to search your closet/pantry for skeletons.  Remember, confession is good for the soul.  It can, but doesn't have to, be an actual recipe, or just the description of the, um, food or any food and holiday related debacle/story/mishap.... Really, any dirty little secret you feel like sharing!  You have until Christmas to post - the round-up will be just before Dec. 31.  The usual rules: post, link to me, send me an e-mail with permalink.  Click for details!

Come on, tell!  Share the pain...you'll feel better!  And so will we!

And, don't forget to search your closet/pantry for skeletons.  Remember, confession is good for the soul.  It can, but doesn't have to, be an actual recipe, or just the description of the, um, food or any food and holiday related debacle/story/mishap.... Really, any dirty little secret you feel like sharing!  You have until Christmas to post - the round-up will be just before Dec. 31.  The usual rules: post, link to me, send me an e-mail with permalink.  Click for details!

Come on, tell!  Share the pain...you'll feel better!  And so will we!

Comments

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

Katie when do we get to really meet? I'm sure the cookies are divine but the ornaments are totally out of the ball park terrific! The history and energy that are represented are so wonderful.
Thanks so much for this one.

[Peter]

I can't believe that I just got "mooned" by 2 XXXmas ornaments! lol

[steamykitchen]

I love the santa crapper!!!
lol!

[neil]

I can't believe it, Christmas is almost here. Love your decorations too, they're fantastic, wonderful detail. I just hope Santa isn't helping with your cookies, he doesn't seem to have any toilet paper!!!

[Coffee & Vanilla]

Katie,
Those cookies sound lovely.
I will be checking back for pictures :) I made some Christmas cookies myself today, for the same event.
Enjoy your day, Margot

[arfi]

Oh, Katie those ornaments are so cute! Although Christmas is not my culture, I always enjoy the togetherness, and of course, food! The Binsteds usually enjoy cassata, pavs, fruit cake, sherry trifle, and Christmas crackers. I'd love to try those cookies recipes. I still think that Greek shortbreads are definitely lovely to add in the cookie jars, don't you think?

[Pam]

The cookies sound so good, and your ornament stories are so entertaining!

[Chris]

The Caganer ornaments are wrong on so many levels...but I am giggling so! The recipes sound great...can't wait to see the cookies!

[Susan from Food Blogga]

Hi Katie! I adore these ornaments. Now, I can't wait to see the cookies! Thanks so much for participating early--I'm sure you've made many people happy with these scrumptious recipes.
Thanks for submitting to Eat Christmas Cookies. -Susan

[Maryann]

Very unique ornaments, Katie! The full moon is a shining!! Actually, 2! Funny.

[gattina]

caganer at live nativity scene *LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL......* I already splited my sides just by look these two ornaments of your...
I love ginger cookies the most... why I could shift from "there" to here... festive mood drives me nut!

[Nora]

Hi Katie,
Oh I love all your ornaments! especially the crappers. I was about to ask you why they look like the are about to sit... till i scrolled down.

And thanks for the cookie recipes. The peanut butter oatmeal is calling out for me to make them :-)

[Mimi]

Loved the peanut butter oatmeal combination.

The ornaments are interesting!

[Riana]

LOL, that one on the right looks like my husbands rear end. hee hee. I will try some of these cookies for sure. Thanks as always for the wonderful recipes and comments. you are the best!

[sandi @ the whistlestop cafe]

That is toooo funny!
I bet I can find a skeleton in my pantry (or two)

[Jeni]

Great cookies...and those shitters. Okay, I won't ask, but I would love to know the origins of the tradition!

[Katie]

Tanna, just let me know when you're coming across the pond - we have a spare bed!

Peter, you should see the thousands of them at the markets!

steamykitchen, aren't they a hoot? I couldn't believe the first one I saw...

Neil, that bit seems to be missing from all of them..

Thanks, Margot, photos coming at Christmas!

Arfi, shortbread cookies are wonderful - maybe with some nuts???

Thanks, Pam, it's the best part of Christmas, re-visiting all the ornaments!

Chris, they are a hard tradition to come to grips with...esp at the live nativity scenes.

Thanks, Susan, they are all easy cookies so I hope they're enjoyed!

Maryann, I gave one to my mother for Christmas...she was not amused...

Gattina, you'll see lots of caganer at the markets in Barcelona - that's where I got mine!

Nora, yes, that's why they're, um, squatting... The peanut butter oatmeal - healthy and delicious... (who cares about healthy cookies!)

Mimi, see previous about the peanut butter...I dearly love those cookies. Interesting, yes....

Oh Sandi, please find a skeleton or 3... I can't wait!

Jeni, I know it's a very old tradition but I haven't found the origins. The log with head and feet that they 'beat the shit out of' (apparently they like that word) is also old...and weird.

Riana, I'm not sure about the visions you just conjured for me....

[Julie]

Caganer, huh? You learn something every day. And what an odd tradition.

I'm glad to see there is someone else who doesn't describe to "theme" tree decorating where everything is one color. Actually our tree has a theme every year and it's always the same: Miscellaneous.

[Lydia]

The caganer are too funny! I've never seen any holiday decorations quite like them. Must run now -- those triple chocolate cookies are calling to me....

[Jann Mumford]

Nice to have a bit of humor thrown into the holidays ~your decorations are very special ,indeed. you mentioned your cousin from Florida~what city is she near... we may be neighbors! The cookie recipes are wonderful. I am especially attracted to the peanut butter one~ I will let you know how they turned out! Cheers....

[Colleen]

Oh la la! Mon dieu!

I laughed so hard... there were tears. Love Santa crapper.

[Núria]

Hola Katie!
I had to laugh when I saw the Caganers (jo també volia fer-ne fotos) I also wanted to post some pics. of caganer politics!!!
Although I never baked before... your cookies and all Xmas cookies in general are driving me to my oven!!!
Salut!

[Heidi]

Hi Katie,
First of all, loved the comment you added on my blog about the 'safe' spoons. I almost spit out my tea reading it.
Second, the chocolate aisles in France?? Oh.My.God. Must go to France before Christmas. Stat.
Third, those ornaments are awesome. Me thinks you covered the entire spectrum there.

Thanks for the recipes !

Heidi

[Bea at La Tartine Gourmande]

fun ornaments indeed! Quite a personality!

[Katie]

Julie, there's supposed the be a THEME? Huh, I thought the theme was Christmas.... What do I know....

Lydia, when I first saw them I thought is was a joke...then I saw them everywhere. Those chocolate cookies do have a strong call...

Jann, she lives in Miami, on the southern side. The peanut butter cookies are yummy (she says, modestly)

Colleen, I think he's kinda cute ;-)

Nuria, yes, you are familiar with them... I got them in Barcelona! Hope you like the cookies..

Heidi, I think you can actually drive here... We're going to try it one summer, to visit my cousin in Norway...rather a long trip, though. But, yes, great chocolate.
I loved hearing about the 3 trips back to school...

Bea, we have an eclectic Christmas tree!