Wednesday, December 23, 2009

This is what heaven must smell like

On December 23 of every year, you can find me in the kitchen baking Christmas cookies. I put on some Christmas music and my favorite apron and get to work. I have the same repertoire of recipes and every now and then, switch things up a bit.

This year, I baked a recipe I found on blogging buddy, Dlyn’s site and fell in love with the scent that was emanating from my oven. Oh.  My.  God.

Please meet my new favorite holiday cookie: Lemon Spice Brownies.

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These  bar cookies have a hint of cardamom and ginger and combined with the lemon and toasted walnuts, they made the whole house smell like heaven.

And then I put these little numbers in the oven. My son requested them and I was only too glad to oblige.

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These are Orange Iced Cranberry Cookies. I don’t remember where I acquired this recipe, probably from a friend years ago, but it’s one of our absolute favorites here at the Casa de George. Here it is just for you.

ORANGE ICED CRANBERRRY COOKIES

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 eggs

2 1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

  • Combine sugars, butter, sour cream, vanilla, and eggs.
  • Add flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
  • Gently stir in cranberries and nuts. Don’t overmix.
  • Spoon by tablespoon 2” apart on lightly greased cookie sheet.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 11-13 minutes until golden brown.
  • Let cool, then frost with icing (below).

ORANGE ICING

2 cups confectioner’s sugar

1 tsp. melted butter

1 tsp. orange zest

2-3 tbsp. orange juice

  • Combine all to spreading consistency.

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I’ll be taking a couple of days off from blogging to spend with my family and friends. Hope you have a wonderful holiday and I’ll see you when I get back.

Cheers!

43 comments:

Mary said...

Ooooo, you're tempting me to forgo my ban on baking... lol

Have a wonderful holiday, dear Kate!

Betty said...

T'is the season to be baking. Today I have to make my yearly Baklava or my son said I couldn't come though the door for dinner.
Your cookies look so yummy.
Have a very Merry Christmas.
~~Love Hugs and Goods Thoughts~~

The JR said...

They both look good. If I made every recipe I copied, it would take a dump truck to carry me around.

Merry XMAS.

Julie Harward said...

THIS LOOKS LIKE A REALLY GOOD ONE..THANKS! HELP..GET ME OUT OF THE KICHEN..I'VE BAKED 20 BUNDT CAKES FOR THE NEIGHBORS AND FOR THE LAST THREE DAYS HAVE BEEN MAKING CANDIES...HELP! NO, I LOVE IT ALL TOO, THE MUSIC AND BAKING AND CHRISTMAS! HAVE A GOOD ONE! Come say hi :D

Heather said...

Kate, if you were closer and I saw this post...I'd have to pop in on you for a nibble :)

I love cranberry everything...mmmm.

Mental P Mama said...

I made ginger snaps the other day! Tomorrow is red velvet cupcakes! Merry, Merry my friend!

Anonymous said...

oooh, another great recipe!!!... love the cranberry orange combo, will try these, as well as your sprouts recipe, wish me luck on that one!... have a wonderful holiday..

Skogkjerring said...

Mmmmm, both look wonderful!! Have a wonderfully warm and Merry Christmas!

ELK said...

the lemon brownies are a favorite...Merry Christmas special friend!

Unknown said...

Those lemon brownies look amazing!

Carolynn Anctil said...

All the best to you this holiday season! It sounds like you home will be a wonderfully festive, yummy place to be!

JacksDad said...

You do have my address to overnight the cookies don't you? :)

Sugar Creek Beads said...

Have a wonderful and blessed holiday Kate with your family. Enjoy your trip and look forward to your return. I have copied your cranberry and orange recipe. A favorite of mine is cranberry orange muffins so I know I will love the cookies. Merry Merry Christmas, Jeanne

Donna S. said...

Have a great holiday with your family!!!!!!!!

Gail said...

I imagine I can smell them.

maillady said...

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS KATE. TELL ANDREW AND THE BOYS THE SAME. HOPE YOUR NEW YEAR IS FILLED WITH LOVE, GOOD HEALTH AND FRIENDS. HOPE WE SEE YOU SOON.. PEG AND TOM

Annie said...

Yum. Looks great, Kate. Good on you!

Wish I could bestir myself to get doing something for my daughter here, but my coughing has just about worn me out!

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

Deb said...

Kate...baking? Am I at the right blog?! hehehe Christmas brings out the best in all of us! Your scrumptious delights look amazing! I just gained 5 pounds!

Michelle said...

Oooooo....nice recipe. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

tj said...

..."Merry Christmas!" dear Kate and family! Here's wishing you a New Year filled with laughter, love and prosperity!

...Thank you Miss Kate for all you do - we love ya girl! ;o)

...Many blessings... :o)

Kacey said...

Hope you and yours have a wonderful Holiday. (now I want to go into my kitchen and start baking. Again.)

Jill of All Trades said...

I've made the cranberry cookies before, probably 10 years ago...yum

tainterturtles said...

I love this recipe....thank you so much.

cottage farm villa said...

Casa de George!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA




Both cookies look spectacular!! Will bake them between Christmas and New Years!! Thank you for the recipes. Merry Christmas Kate!

bv said...

i can not go to bed 'till i read coacg....i wish your family a lovely chrismas and goodwill and peace to you all!
bv

Kerri Farley said...

They look YUMMY! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! And Give George a Christmas Kiss from me :)

Hilary said...

I love your idea of heaven.
Merry Christmas Kate, and to your husband, and sweet George.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Heavenly. Just heavenly.

I'm just buying dessert because I have no time. And right now I'm going back to look up your brussel sprouts recipe from Thanksgiving, because THAT looked heavenly and dinner is my job tonight.

Merry Christmas!

wv: concell. We'll have to concell dinner tonight if i don't get my act together and get to gettin'.

Daryl said...

No baking here .. we have been cookie munching and homemade candy munching for days due to the kindness of friends who bake

I could smell those from here last nite .. yum .. have the most wonderful time with your family, Merry Christmas .. xoxoox

Jo said...

Kate, I hope you and your family have a wonderful, Merry Christmas! It looks as if you're going to have a white Christmas as well. :-)

Cheers,
Jo

Char said...

sounds so delish!!! I'm so making the cranberry cookies!

I hope you have a beautiful and blessed christmas.

Debbie said...

I love orange cranberry bread so I know the cookies will not disappoint. As I read your recipe, I'm checking off everything I have and I have it all. I'm doing a dance of celebration! A new cookie will join our Christmas parade of goodies this year. Thanks Kate!

Anonymous said...

Enjoy the holiday, Kate! Oh, and thanks for the yummy recipes! Always love new ones as does the hubby.

Merry Christmas!!

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Jayme Goffin, The Coop Keeper said...

Just a lurker coming out of the woodwork to say 'Merry Christmas'! I really enjoy your blog, and your photographs. The cookies look wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

Annie said...

Many thanks for your warm Christmas wishes on my blog Kate! I am feeling quite a bit better and sleeping much better also, thanks!

Louise said...

I agree completely Kate. Those brownies are the bomb. I take them whenever I go to a party or get together. That sister of mine is good!

YOur snow pictures are fabulous to and George, well he rocks!
Merry Christmas.

Donalyn said...

Heya Kate - came to say Merry Christmas and now I am right after my sister in the comments! Glad you like the brownies, which I am now craving. Maybe after church tonight.... Blessings to you and yours my friend!

DesertHen said...

Yum, Yum, Yum! Thanks for sharing! I have everything to make the cookies in the house and I think I will do that this evening...=)

Merry Christmas to you and yours and lots of pats for George!

Hilary said...

Have a wonderful Christmas Kate. Wishing all the best to you and yours. Woof to George.

Anonymous said...

Great piece on the cookies! Merry Christmas!

Dagmar said...

Hi there. I'll bet it smelled heavenly in your kitchen, if only I could dive into these wonderful goodies.
Happy days to you my friend.


Oh and a totally different question. Where did you find your wonderful camera strap. I'm having my birthday next week and am totaly in love with your strap. Would be great if you could help me out here were I can find a special one like yours. Thanks Dagmar

Primary Work at Home said...

Looks so yummy! Thank you for sharing your recipe.

Dessa said...

Those look incredible!! I am adding them to my baking repertoire right away. Hope you had a wonderful holiday. Be blessed...