by Sarah | Dec 12, 2011 | All About Home, Holidays
*This is a re-post from last year. These cookies are so good they demand a re-post.
I have made a LOT of cookies in my 30+ years. I’ve tasted even more.
When it comes to cutouts, it’s tricky. Too much sugar and it’s just a sugar cookie – too little and they are way too dry.
I used to think my Mom’s were the best…but they always required a ton of frosting to counteract the dryness of the cookie (sorry, Mom) – I stopped making them when I got married and moved out. My aunt’s Christmas cookies, while good – were just never right either (and it’s been so long I can’t remember why).
I tried several recipes in the 8 years I’ve been married – and for the past 3 years I’ve stuck with these. I stumbled on the recipe when I was looking for Polish cookies – and that’s what these were called. BUT, the recipe called for Anise (*gag* *hurl* Blech)…and I was definitely not down with that. So I adapted the cookies to a flavor that was much better.
Let me tell you, this is the easiest dough I have ever worked with and the flavor, when done as I adapted it, is PHENOMENAL.
****
The Best Sugar Cutouts
1c. Butter
1c. Shortening
2c. Sugar
5 Large Eggs
7c. Flour
2Tbs. Baking Powder
1/2tsp. Salt
1/2oz. Almond Extract (original recipe called for Anise, this substitution makes deliciousness)
- Cream the Butter, Sugar and Shortening until smooth and fluffy
- Stir in the eggs one at a time until incorporated
- Add almond
- Mix in the first 6 cups of flour
- From here it’s by sight/feel. Add in flour until you get a moist batter. It should seem too sticky to roll, but solid enough to hold together.
- Chill the dough for at least 2 hours. Preferably overnight.
- Once thoroughly chilled, the dough is a dream to work with. Take off a handful and put the remainder back in the fridge while you roll it out for cutting.
- Place a hunk on a floured surface and roll out for cutting (about 1/8″ thick).
- Bake for 12-15 minutes in a 350* oven.
- Frost with frosting of your choice. I love a good buttercream w/ a touch of corn syrup for shine.
- Decorate all out for your holiday fun (and for Santa’s plate).
And that’s it! The strong almond flavor gives and added touch of yum. The cookies are moist enough that you could eat them plain…but really, who wants to? Frosting is 98% of why we eat the cookies, after all…right?
I hope you enjoy them if you try them. My search for the perfect cutout has finally come to a sweet and delicious end!!
by Sarah | Nov 30, 2011 | All About Home, All of Us, Holidays
[flickr id=”6408227721″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]It’s that time again. In a few days I’ll be pulling out the decorations. Putting up the tree and adding ‘snow’ to our living room.
I’ve decided to not put so much pressure on myself with the cookies this year. I’m going to focus more on the candies and treats as they are easier, and more fitting to give away. If I feel like taking the extra step with more cookies I will. I won’t kill myself with five million cookies this year.
Presents are slowly being accounted for. A little here. A little there. Somehow there will be presents wrapped up and under the tree on the big day.
The girls saw Santa in the Macy’s Parade. In fact, they watched the whole parade with such excitement that I felt like I was once again that age watching with breathless anticipation. Smiling over familiar balloons, and enjoying their excitement over seeing Spongebob or the Smurf’s.
Every year their excitement and awareness of the holiday grows, and it’s a joy to watch.
It’s also great to be able to use the threat of Santa and his naughty list for almost anything.
It really is the most wonderful time of the year.
by Sarah | Nov 29, 2011 | All About Home, All of Us, DIY Cleaning Products
[flickr id=”6348905046″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]I claim all rights to Purposeness as a word. It is one because I say it is 😀 In all seriousness, I’d almost forgotten I promised to tell you about all of my cleaners. Today Ill get into my most frequently used cleaner.
I never was a neat freak. I’m a pack rat, I’m a clutterbug. In recent years that’s started to change. Maybe it’s the five people in a tiny cramped house, or maybe it’s my neat-freak OCD hubby (love you, Archie) rubbing off on me. Either way, I’ve started to be a bit more meticulous. I’m nt perfect by any means, but I’m getting better.
One of my favorite things I’ve found since I started making my own cleaners is my all-purpose antibacterial spray. I use it on everything. My kitchen counters and table receive the most frequent attention, but I’ve used it in the bathroom, in the living room – I’ve even used it to clean crayon off my girls wall (it works best on fresh crayons).
I call it my miracle spray since it’s removed all sorts of things from my counter tops, and managed to erase age old stains.
It cuts through grease and grime, and sticky messes left behind. The key is to let it sit on the heavier mess for just a few seconds to soak in and break it down.
P.S. with all of my cleaners – I use cotton cloths always. I never use sponges except on my sink or on the rare occasion I have something really stuck onto the counter – then I’ll use a scrubber, but rinse clean with my cotton cloth.
*~*~*
All Purpose Anti-bacterial Cleaner
*Lavendar is a natural antibacterial element. That is what makes this spray antibacterial. Also after much trial and error I’ve started making my cleaners in a large glass measuring cup first, then adding them to the sprayer once cool. It’s much easier.
2Tbs Vinegar
1tsp Borax
1/4c. Liquid Soap (Castile soap)
Hot water
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Mix vinegar & borax.
Add 16oz hot water
Stir until borax is dissolved – this is important. If Borax isn’t dissolved it will clump up when you add the soap.
Add Liquid Soap.
Add Lavender
by Sarah | Nov 24, 2011 | All About Family, All of Us, Holidays
[flickr id=”6293299563″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]For relative good health in the house.
For kids that are happy.
For a husband that loves and supports me.
For laughter.
For creativity.
For friends.
For a belly so full I couldn’t eat another bite.
Happy holidays to you and yours.
by Sarah | Nov 21, 2011 | All About Home, All of Us, Crap, Photography, Random
[flickr id=”6367106575″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”center”]
Where no other can tread.
The one dog allowed in this house – because we know she will be leaving us.
This time she’s here for two weeks.
My dad better make darn sure he comes when the kids are at school.
Riley will be a WRECK when she leaves.
For now, she’s a welcome part of the family.
& we know that we’re loved back.
I mean – for a dog…farts are a sign of love, right?
I’m saying it is…& if the stench in this house is any indication, this dog is NUTS about us!
by Sarah | Nov 18, 2011 | All About Home, All of Us, Holidays, Random
Each year it’s the same
From storage, boxes emerge
Marked with black sharpie
One by one we find
Carefully wrapped memories
Hanging by thin threads
Sometimes the year blurs
Sometimes it’s plain to be seen
Each time the heart tugs
Family gathered
Love, laughter, peace, understanding
Problems disappear
Memories held close
Pulled from storage once a year
Shimmering brightly
*****
This is a repost from last year. With every passing day I get closer to pulling the tree out of the garage. Only the presence of my parents dog has kept me from doing it yet. Not that she would mess with it – it’s just that there’s enough chaos without the tree & Christmas decorations being dragged out. I’ve been planning for my annual Christmas cookie/candy kitchen takeover. Hoping it goes smooth this year!! Our holidays will be tight financially – but filled with joy as always.
And that’s it! The strong almond flavor gives and added touch of yum. The cookies are moist enough that you could eat them plain…but really, who wants to? Frosting is 98% of why we eat the cookies, after all…right?