Recipe: Butter Press Cookies

We have another holiday cookie recipe for you all. This week, it's butter press cookies! Our family makes these every year before the holidays. We typically make at least 8 batches so that we have them for all holiday parties, friends and family. They are also perfect for decorating and passing out as gifts. I love pairing them with coffee!

Ingredients:

2 Sticks of Butter
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Almond
3 and 1/2 Cups of Flour
1 Teaspoon Salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cream butter, sugar, eggs, almond and vanilla. Add the salt. Add enough flour to make dough that can be used in cookie press (not too sticky). Decorate cookies on sheet; bake 8-10 minutes.
Makes 3 dozen cookies.

xoxo,
Laura

Recipe: Frosted Sugar Cookies

We've been on a bit of a baking rampage lately, and I couldn't be happier about it. During the holiday season, there's no activity I enjoy more than playing around in the kitchen. 

This past weekend, we made frosted sugar cookies with royal icing. 

What you'll need for Cookies:

Cookie Cutters

1 and 1/2 Cups Sifted Powdered Sugar

1 Cup Butter, Softened

1 Egg

2 Teaspoons Vanilla or Almond Extract

2 and 1/2 Cups Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1 Teaspoon Cream of Tartar

What you'll need for Royal Icing:
 3 Tablespoons Meringue Powder
4 Cups Sifted Powdered Sugar
6 Tablespoons Water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Cream sugar, butter and egg; add flavoring. Blend in dry ingredients. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours. Divide dough in half, roll onto floured surface and cut as desired.

Bake on greased cookie sheet for 5-8 minutes. (Keep an eye on them, they bake quickly!)

Decorate cookies as desired. This is the best part about making these cookies. You can use your creative freedom and mix up as many icing colors as you'd like. We used white, red, green, and blue. We topped with sprinkles, silver balls, and colored sugars. Have fun with it!

Happy Holidays,

Laura

Weekend Recap

What a weekend!! Now that the holidays are here, time is just FLYING by.  I'm still wondering where November went.  I can't believe it's mid December.  

This past weekend was crazy fun.  Friday night, I, Laura, went out with some coworkers for some happy hour cocktails as a holiday "celebration", if you will.  It was basically just an excuse to grab a few glasses of wine at the Reserve downtown and chat about non-work related things. 

After that, I headed off to see a few of my favorites, Tieka and Eric, at their house.  We then headed off to the Winchester for a bite to eat a few more drinks.  

Eric and Tieka arguing about something insignificant. ;] 

Then the REAL fun began when we got to Rocky's for some dancing and sweating. Eric thought it would be funny to take a video.  I found it on my phone the next morning....

...don't ask.

Saturday consisted of going to Muskegon to buy new tires.  Had to get the ol' G6 in tip-top shape before my trip to Nashville in less than two weeks.  Then I grabbed some dinner with my parents and headed back home. 

Sunday was the annual Piszczek Christmas party.  Katelyn and I knew this would be a trip, as this side of our family is a complete riot.  10+ bottles of wine, outrageous games, and LOUD family members = hot mess. 

Us, before the madness began. 

Katelyn & Alex

My brother-in-law Ray, sister Miranda, and Dad.

Grandpa received the "Smart Ass" game during the adult gift exchange.  He is clearly thrilled. 

As you can see, crock pots are a popular exchange gift in the Piszczek family.

We were supposed to end our Sunday evening by ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, but it was raining all day, so we had to cancel.  Hopefully we'll get the chance to do that soon, because it's so festive and beautiful downtown with all of the Christmas lights. 

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

xoxo, 

L