There’s only one time during the year that I get a craving for sweets, and that’s in December. I bake very seldom during the year, but I make up for it at the end by baking dozens of cookies all month long. I happen to think cookies are one of the best gifts for neighbors, teachers, friends, and anyone that needs some holiday cheer. This Christmas, I think we could all use a little cheering up, so why not turn up the music and start baking? We may not be gathering for parties this year, but there’s little harm in passing out plates of goodies on our friends’ doorsteps. You can even organize a cookie exchange with your friends and family, where everyone bakes his or her favorite cookies and shares them with everyone in the group. Just package a few cookies in a small bag or box, and include the recipe, if you want.
You don’t have to be a polished cook to bake something delicious, and you certainly don’t have to make everything look Pinterest perfect. In fact, I tell people I can make a delicious cake, but it won’t be pretty. I’m not interested in tedious decorating, and I think it’s more important that it tastes good. I feel the same way about my cookies, especially when I make my Celebration Cookies that aren’t very pretty, but they taste like a party in your mouth! They’re flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg, and the best part is the chunks of candy bar and corn flakes that give them a special crunchy texture. They keep well for a couple weeks in an airtight container, and can be frozen for several months. I also happen to know that Santa Claus is a big fan, and he requests them every year.
However you are spending the holidays this year, I hope you can make time to relax and appreciate friends and family, even if you can’t gather in person. It’s a good time to think less of ourselves and more about others. And what better way to share cheer than to make someone’s day by baking something sweet and delicious?
Crunchy Celebration Cookies
Makes about 2 dozen - One of my children’s favorite breakfast cereals was Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I often grabbed a handful for a perfect snack. These cookies remind me of that cereal, but on a much fancier level. They may not be the prettiest cookies you ever make, but they are so perfect with a cup of coffee or cold milk. I named them celebration cookies because there’s so much goodness inside, it’s like a big party!
Ingredients:
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8 ounces unsalted butter (2 sticks)
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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1 cup brown sugar
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2 eggs, room temperature
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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2 cups all purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1 teaspoon kosher salt
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1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
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1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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3 Skor candy bars, finely chopped
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3 cups cornflakes (cereal), lightly crushed
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Course sprinkling sugar for dusting
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cookie sheets with parchment paper or butter. In the bowl of a mixer, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until very smooth, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time and blend until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add to the creamed mixture and stir until you can no longer see flour.
Add Skor candy, and gently stir to combine. Form dough into 2” balls and roll in the crushed cornflakes, pressing gently into dough. Place on prepared cookie sheets 3” apart. Flatten each ball of dough lightly with the back of a spoon, and sprinkle with course sugar. Bake 13 minutes, until edges of cookies are set. Allow to cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
See More about Sweet Celebration:
https://www.valuenews.com/sweet-celebration-news-article_5193
