Christmas Cookies: by Mompert Kristal Simituk

I can remember from back in my childhood when my Grandparents had so much
tradition and went the whole 9 yards for Christmas: that sweet smell of fresh
baked Christmas cookies.. Yum!

So, Tis the Season , Get out your baking pans and ingredients because we are about to bake bake and bake!

These Cookies Recipes have been tried and tested and are all delicious. You can
also change the recipes up and add your own touch!

Holiday Chocolate Bon Bon Cookies

prep time:30 min
total time:38 min
makes:4 doz. or 48 servings, 1 cookie (26 g) each

1 pkg. (6 squares) Baker’s White Chocolate
1-1/2 pkg. (12 squares) Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/4 cup butter
1 can (14 fl oz/300 mL) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp. icing sugar, sifted

HEAT oven to 350°F.
CHOP each white chocolate square into 8 chunks; set aside. Microwave semi-sweet
chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is
melted, stirring after 30 sec. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Blend in milk
and vanilla. Add flour and nuts; mix well. (Dough will be stiff.)
SHAPE 1 level tablespoonful of dough around each white chocolate chunk,
enclosing white chocolate completely. Place, 1 inch apart, on ungreased baking
sheets.
BAKE 6 to 8 min. or cookies are until soft and shiny; sprinkle lightly with sugar. Let
stand 5 min. on baking sheet. Remove to wire rack. Cool completely. (Cookies will
firm up as they cool.)

S’more Sandwich Cookies

prep time:20 min
total time:1 hr 47 min
makes:33

1 pkg. (250 g) Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup icing sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
4 tsp. coloured sugar
1/3 cup Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme
2 squares Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

PREHEAT oven to 325ºF. Beat cream cheese, icing sugar, butter and vanilla with
electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add flour and baking soda; mix
well. Cover. Refrigerate 1 hour.
ROLL dough to 1/8-inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut into 66 cookies,
using 2-inch festive cookie cutters. Sprinkle half of the cookies with coloured sugar.
Place all cookies, 2 inches apart, on ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE 12 min. or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 1 min. Remove to wire
racks; cool completely.
SPREAD bottom side of each of the plain cookies with about 1 tsp. marshmallow
creme; cover with remaining sugar cookies, bottom-sides down, to form sandwiches.
Drizzle with melted chocolate.

Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

Prep:20mins
Total time: 38mins
Makes: 5doz or 60servings

2 cups butter, softened
1-3/4 cups icing sugar, divided
3-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 pkg. (6 squares) Baker’s Premium 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate, coarsely chopped

HEAT oven to 350°F.

BEAT butter and 1 cup sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Add flour
and cornstarch; mix well. Stir in chocolate.
ROLL dough into 60 (1-inch) balls; place, 3 inches apart, on baking sheets. Flatten
slightly with bottom of glass.
BAKE 13 min. or until centres are set and tops are lightly browned; cool on baking
sheets 5 min. Add warm cookies, 1 at a time, to remaining sugar; turn to evenly coat
both sides of each. Cool completely on wire racks.

All Recipes come from Kraft.ca

Written by Mompert: Kristal Simituk

If you are not sure how to give that little extra this year, please take a moment to see the wonderful things happening at Helping Orphans Worldwide.

HOW is my favorite organization that directly gives to the children and truly one of those places where the funds really do go to the needed. After donating a few years ago to HOW I have become e-mail friends with one of the founders and know her to be one of the most generous and self less people I have ever met. This is truly one way to make that tremendous difference in a child’s life.

You can make a difference AND give a gift!
Chantal Brosens, Founder of Little Angel Hugs will donate an Angel Doll to a sick child in need with every $50 tax-deductible donation to HOW.  Angel Dolls are beautifully handmade and provide a sense of peace and protection to the little ones who need it most.  Not only will your donation give an “Angel to an Angel”, it will also provide medical care for children in need of life saving surgery.  In our work this year in Vietnam, we have encountered many children suffering from a variety of conditions including congenital heart disease.  This type of condition is treatable with the proper medical care, but many impoverished families simply do not have the resources to care for their child’s health. HOW is working to locate these children, educate their families and raise funds to ensure that these kids receive the care they deserve.

To read more about Angel Dolls visit: www.littleangelhugs.com.

To make a tax-deductible donation to HOW go to www.helpinghow.com

Give an “Angel to an Angel this holiday season!
With every $50 donation to HOW, Little Angel Hugs will give an Angel Doll to a deserving child in need.  Not only will you put a smile on a sick child’s face, your donation will also pay for much needed medical care for children in need of life saving surgery.

Standing on my soapbox, JB

Since I have had my children I marvel at the changes in my Christmas wish list. I remember one year when I got a new digital day timer, suped-up computer speakers and hot, sexy lingerie. For years frivolous and extravagant gifts were under the tree and my eyes lit up like a kids with presents like new golf clubs or a cashmere sweater.

The last two years mom’s pile of presents has been pretty sparse. In fact last year I think I pre bought my own gift of an electric kettle and sheepskin slippers; my how things have changed.
If being a mom has brought out the practical in you and baby’s new arrival has filled your Christmas list with have-to-haves instead of want-to-haves…then check out the hippest thing in diaper bags, Kalencom.

Renowned animal illustrator Eleanor Grosch brings you the most beautifully designed accessories for your baby. All of her animals are simplified to their essences and colored vibrantly to reflect the loveliness of our natural world. Each bag has a roomy interior, plenty of storage pockets and an adjustable shoulder strap. Inside you will find, an insulated bottle bag, zippered storage pouch and fold-out diaper changer pad.

These bags make a statement and provide gorgeous color and style to something you carry with every day. Their functionality is most important along with their unique design that accentuates every mom’s personal fashion sense.

My new commitment to Soapbox readers is to provide great products at great prices, so we have a limited number of bags at an amazing soapbox price. Regularly priced at 90.00, we may have what are looking for at the Super Soapbox price 44.99. If you love to price compare, check out these other sites to really see what a great deal this is. Theirs are listed sale price of 85.95. In fact, this is even better than on amazon.com. Enjoy shopping.

Happy Holiday and Standing on my Soapbox, JB