Growing up, my mom was crafty, especially around this time of year.  Christmas seemed to be her favorite.  There was always some kind of unique homemade gift for friends, family, teachers, and coaches (my 3 brothers and I were athletes).  I remember one year we collected pine cones (what seemed like a million to my tweenager mind) and my mom spray painted them gold and made baskets of gold pinecones and various Christmas critters and fruit.  Wreaths were another year.. and then there was the ceramic hand painted and fired light up Christmas Trees. 

b u t

My most favorite thing to do and ‘help’ with during this time of year was my mom’s butter cookies. 

No matter what kick she was on for crafting, she always always always made these.  

Bouncing around the kitchen, stealing finger scoops of cookie dough, watching & waiting patiently for the timer to ding before we got to frost these delicious drop cookies. 

Not before we ate a few, of course. 

I can still remember it like it was yesterday.

So, you know I have to bake these with Parker and Jolie.

I’m not crafty, though.  Meh.  I digress.

Cookies will do well enough.

Christmas Butter Cookies

COOKIES

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 sticks butter, softened

2 large eggs

1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

ICING

4 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3-4 tablespoons milk

Festive sprinkles

—

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar until well combined.  

Add vanilla and almond extract, and then the eggs.   

In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture while beating on low speed until smooth.

Scoop the dough by rounded tablespoons and roll into 1-inch balls.  Place them evenly spaced on a non-stick cookie sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown at the edges and puffed.  Cool 3-5 minutes on the pan and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

While the cookies cool, prepare the icing.

Combine softened butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar, adding milk to thin as desired.

Once the cookies have cooled, its time to f r o s t !!

and of course, we eat.  And make a serious mess.

But, who cares.