Favorite, Easy Christmas Cookies

 Don't be fooled by their size- these little cookies are big on fabulousness!

 

I've adapted the recipe just a bit from my beloved
Best Ever Nestle Cookie Cookbook.

Chocolate Chip
Mexican Wedding Cakes

1 C (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 C powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 C all-purpose flour (we use unbleached)
2/3 C finely chopped nuts
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 C semi-sweet mini chocolate chips, divided

• Beat butter and powdered sugar until creamy
• Add vanilla
• Gradually add flour, nuts, and cinnamon

{the dough will be rather coarse/crumbly once you add in the flour- that's how it's supposed to be}

• Stir in 1- 1/2 C morsels

{again, the dough is not uniformly smooth- you'll have chunks and pieces...it's still all good}

• Carefully pat or press dough into 1" balls with your fingers {and find a cute helper}
•  Place on UNgreased baking sheet or use parchment paper

This is great dough for little hands to work with because it isn't sticky and it's easy to shape.

It's kind of like play-dough.  ;)

• Bake in 350 F oven for 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown on bottom
• They "puff" but do not spread

There is much anticipation, I tell you.

See?

• Let stand 2 minutes; place on wire racks to cool

• Next, melt remaining chocolate (or use a baking chocolate bar to melt if you prefer)

 I add a small dollop of shortening to about a half bag of morsels and microwave on high in 30 second intervals. It usually takes about 2 minutes to melt everything. Stir together until smooth.

If you want to "dip" the cookies in chocolate, I find it easier to hold the cookie in one hand and gently spoon the melted chocolate onto half. Let the extra dribble right back into the bowl. Place cookies on waxed paper to set.

If you're running short on time, drizzle them! Line up the cookies on waxed paper and spoon out some melted chocolate and drizzle over the tops. Repeat in the opposite direction so cookies have lots of chocolate "lines" on them. There will be giant chocolate globs too, but I've never heard anyone complain about that.  =)

Store in airtight container at room temp. Claims to make 4 1/2 dozen, but we have never gotten that many- and this time I didn't even eat much dough...   :)

Enjoy!

They are sooooo yummy!

I am starting my Bake-A-Thon this morning for our annual Christmas Goodies plates for our kids' teachers...

Cue Bing Crosby and dear Andy Williams!

You can find the recipe for Chocolate Spiders here, and I'll be posting about Oreo Truffle Bites (I like that name better than Oreo Balls!) later this week.

linking up to these fun parties:

Alderberry Hill
DIY by Design