Years ago, when our boys were very young, two of my dear friends and I would meet at one of our homes in mid-December and bake cookies.  Gretchen and Linda are sisters (Linda was my Maid of Honor at my wedding) and the three of us have known each other since our days as Disneyland employees (just before automobiles were invented).

Those years of cookie baking have created some of my fondest holiday memories and the recipes we used are still some of my favorites.  I thought I’d share them with you all (all 5 of you!).

Molasses Sugar Cookies

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Ingredients

• 3/4 cup melted shortening
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

In a medium bowl, blend the shortening, sugar, molasses and egg. Add the

baking soda, flour, clove, and ginger, cinnamon and salt; mix well.

Form into 1 inch balls and roll in granulated sugar.

Place on cookie sheets 2 inches apart and bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool on a rack.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 eggs
• ½ powdered cocoa
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup milk
• powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°

In a medium bowl, blend the shortening, sugar and vanilla; beat in eggs and cocoa.

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt and add to sugar mixture alternately with milk.

Chill dough for 3 hours; form 1” balls, roll in powdered sugar.  Place on greased cookies sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

Makes 2 dozen

Russian Rock Cookies

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Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F

In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar; add 2 teaspoons water and vanilla.  Mix well.

Blend in flour and nuts.

Chill 4 hours.

Shape into balls and bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 325° about 20 minutes.  Remove and roll in confectioners sugar while cookies are still warm.

I’d love to hear about your favorite holiday cookie!  Happy baking.  By the way, these freeze if need be.  Sometimes we have to plan ahead.