Christmas Cookies

I felt like baking today so I made M&M cookies and butter cookies with my new cookie press. We're having a cookie trade at work at our holiday luncheon, so it was the perfect time to test out my cookie recipes. I bought the cookie press when I was finishing up my Christmas shopping. It was a snap to use and made the cutest little cookies. I substituted Splenda sugar and Splenda brown sugar.

M&M Cookies

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Makes: 36 cookies

• 1 cup Crisco shortening
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 t vanilla
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 t salt
• 1 t baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups M&M's plain chocolate candies

1. Cream together shortening and sugars until light and fluffy.

2. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.

3. Add combined flour, salt, and baking soda and mix until well combined.

4. Stir in 1/2 cup M&Ms.

5. Drop by Tbsp onto ungreased cookie sheet.

6. Press 2-3 M&Ms onto top of each cookie.

7. Bake in 375°F for 10-12 minutes.

Snowflakes

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 12-15 minutes
Makes: 66 cookies

• 1 cup butter
• 1 3-ounce package cream cheese
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 t grated orange zest
• 2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/4 t cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Cream together butter, cream cheese and sugar.

3. Beat in egg yolk, vanilla and orange zest.

4. Sift together flour, salt, and cinnamon.

5. Gradually blend flour mixture into butter mixture.

6. Fill cookie press.

7. Form cookies on ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugar, if desired.

8. Bake 12 to 15 minutes. Remove at once to cooling racks.