Day 3 Christmas and Holiday Cookies-Neiman Marcus Cookies

Every year a friend of mine has a Cookie Party.  This is not a cookie exchange,but a party where 12 women get together and make cookie kits to take home and bake with their kids. We each have stations to measure and bag ingredients.  After all the flour, sugars, nuts,and candy have been measured, chopped and bagged, we have a brunch.  This is such a nice get together and I thoroughly enjoy it every year. This recipe makes a lot of cookies.  Grab some friends and have your own cookie party.  Have a great day and Happy Cooking!

Neiman Marcus Cookies

From Sandy Stillman Pickett

2 cups butter

2 cups white sugar

2 cups brown sugar

4 eggs, slightly beaten

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

5 cups oatmeal

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 (12 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 (12 ounce) package white chocolate chips

3 cups chopped pecans

1 (8 ounce) chocolate bar, grated

Cream butter and sugars together.  Add eggs.  Process oatmeal to a flour-like consistency.  Add dry ingredients.  Add grated chocolate bar, chocolate chips and nuts.  Mix well.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 12 minutes, until golden brown.  Note: rotate cookie sheets halfway through baking time.

This recipe makes a lot!!!!!!!

Day 2 Christmas and Holiday Cookies-Slice aqnd Bake Shortbread Cookies

This is one of my favorite cookies.  You can do so much with it.  Thanks to those creative people at Southern Living for sharing this recipe with all of us.  I love this recipe because you can make a lot of them very quickly.  Make up the dough and freeze for hostess gifts, give to neighbors, or make several kinds to take to a Cookie Swap.  These are delicious.  Hope you enjoy them!  Have a great day and Happy Cooking! :)

Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until mixture is smooth. Stir in extracts.  Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended.  Shape dough into 3 (8-inch) logs; wrap logs separately in wax paper, and chill 4 hours. Cut each log into 24 slices, and place slices 1 inch apart on lightly greased baking sheets.  Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool on wire racks.

Yield: Makes 6 dozen

Cranberry-Orange Shortbread Cookies: Stir in ½ cup chopped dried cranberries and 1 tablespoon orange zest with the extracts.

Toffee-Espresso Shortbread Cookies: Omit almond extract.  Stir in ½ cup almond toffee bits and 1 tablespoon espresso powder with vanilla.

Pecan Shortbread Cookies: Omit almond extract; stir in 1 cup finely chopped toasted pecans when adding vanilla.

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies: Omit almond extract; stir in 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels when adding vanilla.

Coconut-Macadamia Nut Shortbread Cookies: Omit almond extract; stir in 1 cup toasted coconut, ½ cup finely chopped macadamia nuts and ¼ teaspoon coconut extract.

Almond Shortbread Cookies: Stir in 1 cup finely chopped toasted almonds when adding extracts.

From Southern Living