With the kids home on holiday break, baking and decorating cookies is a fun way to spend time together, and then have something delicious to show for it.
The Edible Canvas
Making holiday cookies is a project kids can really sink their teeth into--figuratively and literally. Between the array of cookie cutter shapes, festive sprinkles, and different colored icing, kids have plenty opportunity for creative freedom, making batches and batches of mini-masterpieces. Remember to take some pictures--they will definitely last longer than their creations.
Pick a cookie, any cookie:
Classic Sugar Cookies
Bake some old-fashioned cut-outs with the recipe below and decorate with icing, sprinkles, and/or candies--or use the same recipe to make some Thumbprint Cookies. Here's how:
- Form 1-inch balls of dough and place on cookie sheet.
- Use a spoon to make an indent in the middle of each ball of dough.
- Put a spoonful of jam or preserves in the middle, and then bake as recipe indicates.
Spritz Cookies
You will need a cookie press for these, and they are best decorated with sprinkles, or you can place a piece of candied fruit in the center (cherries--mmm!).
Gingerbread
Whether it's the "man" or the "house" version you are baking, this recipe will give you a good start (it should be doubled for a gingerbread house). See our gingerbread house advice articles for step-by-step instructions on building a house that’s good enough to eat.
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