12 Days of Christmas Celebration - Day One and a Giveaway!

Good morning Prim Pals

and

Welcome to my annual

Twelve Days of Christmas Celebration!

I'm so glad you took the time out of your busy day to visit.

It snowed here last night, and as the big, fluffy flakes were falling, I began to think back on all the Christmas celebrations I have held so far here on my blog.  I reflected on all that has occurred in my life since I started sharing with you all....our children's weddings, moving to our dream home, the birth of our precious grandchildren, the stresses and yet the good times of having our oldest son's family live with us for a year, Chris' battle with cancer...we are so blessed despite all the hardships.  

I hope that, throughout this holiday season, you too have time to reflect on your blessings, however big or small.  These are the things that really matter...not the presents, not the baking, not the crowds or the big Christmas dinner.  

I encourage you to go to my Home page...at the top you will find Tabs to all of my past Twelve Days of Christmas (TDC) posts, full of wonderful recipes and Christmas tutorials.

I had hoped to have the post ready for you early this morning, but just as I was about to finish it up late last night, my internet went down and I lost everything. So, without further ado.....

This morning I will share with you some 

QUICK AND EASY cookies.  They are not only easy, but they are oooh so good...and...I have to warn you....they are addictive too...I bet you can't eat just one!

Jam Shortbread Cookies

for the dough:

3/4 c butter, softened (no substitutes)

2/3 c sugar

1 egg

2 c flour

1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt (can be omitted if you wish)

1/2 c jam of your choice 

(I love to use my homemade blackberry, but raspberry, peach, blueberry, strawberry will do too - try a couple different kinds with each batch for a festive look)

for the glaze:

1 1/2 c powdered sugar

2 to 3 T milk

1/2 t vanilla OR almond extract

In large bowel cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in egg and extract.

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl.

Now, turn down your mixer and gradually add the flour to the butter and sugar.  Make sure to turn your mixer down or you'll look like Santa before you are through, when the flour poofs all over!

Mix well.  The mixture will be thick and crumbly.

With your hands, push dough together and then divide the dough into four equal portions.  Shape and roll each portion into a log, about 12" long by 1" wide.

Place about 4" apart on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Parchment paper makes clean up a snap.

With your index finger, press a 'trench' into the top of each cookie log.  Make it about 1/2" wide and 1/4" deep.  You want to make it deep and wide enough for the jam to sit in.

Spoon your jam into the 'trench' on each cookie.  Don't overfill or the jam will ooze over the cookie, and although still tasty, they just aren't as pretty when that happens.

Bake your cookies at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool for a few minutes and then cut them diagonally into 3/4" slices.  Cool completely and then drizzle lightly with the glaze.  You don't want too much glaze...just enough to make it pretty.  I was in a hurry and forgot to cut mine before I glazed them, but they turned out just fine.

 Our neighbors love these festive cookie tucked into their gift baskets.  It looks like you spent a lot of time on them, but they are so very easy, you can whip up a batch in no time.

Enjoy

I'll see you back here tomorrow for a fun Christmas tutorial!

Oh dear, I almost forgot to mention....

I will be having a little festive giveaway for those of you who come back every day and make a comment on each day's post.
 I will be asking a little Christmas question at the end of each day's post...simply jot me a comment with your answer, and you will be entered in the giveaway. 
Now, I bet you are wondering what I am giving away, but gee....isn't it more fun to be surprised????

Today's Christmas question is....

What is your favorite Christmas cookie?