Every year right after Thanksgiving, my mom would begin her Christmas baking marathon. She used the same recipes every year, and over time knew exactly how many batches of each she needed. It was a family project. We all did something – chop nuts, slice fruit, measure sugar, sample broken cookies – whatever it took to get all the cookies and candy done in time.
Mom always bought the fancy Christmas paper plates they sold at the store, and just before Christmas, we would begin filling the plates with homemade goodies. We would cover them with either foil or plastic wrap, attach a bow and a gift tag. After supper each night, we'd head out as a family and go deliver our gifts of love.
We (mom, pop, my brother and I) took turns taking the present to the door. Everyone was always so delighted with their goodies. It made all those hours of chopping, sifting, grinding, cutting, baking and wrapping worth it.
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:8-11, KJV).
The last Christmas my mom was alive, she and I talked about our family cookies, and how sad it would be for the recipes not to be shared for others to enjoy. The recipes mom used have been around for well over 50 years, and our family Spritz cookie recipe is older than the hills. *grins*
My late mother-in-law was a most talented woman, and pies were her specialty; but she had one cookie recipe that melted the heart of her son—and she always made a batch of these cookies for the holidays. It would be shame for these cookies not to melt the hearts of other sons and daughters.
So … in loving memory of my mom (Joyce Jacobs) and my mother-in-law (Theresa Andrew), here are a few of our favorite cookie recipes.
May you and your family enjoy a most blessed and happy Christmas.
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