Romancing the Stove

A meal lovingly prepared and shared can heighten romance, whether it be a candlelit dinner in front of a roaring fire or a picnic from a wicker hamper. So each month, I’ll share with you a favorite recipe from my collection!

What would Christmas be without the treasured recipes that are passed down from generation to generation? When I was a little girl, these old-fashioned butter cookies were a holiday staple. One of my favorite memories is helping my mom cut them out and decorate them with colored sugar (the more the better in those days!). Even now, so many years later, whenever I make these they remind me of happy childhood days filled with warmth and love and the magic of Christmas. I hope they add to your holiday joy this year, too!

Mom’s Christmas Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

3 cups flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

1 slightly beaten egg

3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Cut butter into dry ingredients. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Blend thoroughly. Chill for 2 hours.

2. On a floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Decorate with colored sugar. Place on ungreased baking sheets.

3. Bake at 400 degrees for 5-8 minutes.

Yield: About 6 ½ dozen