December 7, 2012

How to keep the cookie jar filled

...all through the holidays!

It's the time of year again, ladies and gents. Time to don favourite apron, give the electric beaters a good work out, tint frosting red and green, and go to town on whipping up scads of holiday cookies.

Like many people, I have a certain set of Christmas cookie recipes that have been a part of my holiday celebration throughout my entire life. They're beloved classics that were handed down from my mom and grandmothers, and which (though I now make gluten-free versions for myself) I could scarcely imagine December without.

There are others as well that have hopped on board over the years from various sources, and a few I created myself, too. I'm always open to adding new additions to the line up and vintage sources are certainly one of the first places I turn to if I'm in the mood to christen a new holiday cookie recipe.

With Christmas just twenty days away, I felt that more than one recipe was called for, so today's vintage recipe page from 1961 features three different Christmas cookie recipes, all of which include molasses to help give them an extra deep flavour and beautiful aroma that instantly puts one in the mood to curl up in front of the Christmas tree and listen to your favourite Burl Ives or Bing Crosby holiday album.


1960s vintage Christmas cookie recipes ad, Chronically Vintage blog

{Whether you fancy stars, gingerbread men, or Christmas trees, they're a festive cookie shape for one and all to be had amongst these delicious early 1960s recipes. Image via kristineroy on Flickr.}



These three recipes are, admittedly, quite similar to one another, though they do differ a tad (chiefly when it comes to which spices are used and the shapes they're cut out into). If you adore molasses or really need to bake up a mountain of cookies, you could certainly give all three a spin, if not, try out one or two this year and perhaps the others during holiday seasons to come.

I've always loved the flavour of raisins and molasses together, so if I was going to whip one of these tasty Christmas cookie recipes up, I'd be quite inclined to throw in a handful (particularly with the Swedish Crisps), but otherwise really wouldn't tamper with these recipes much at all.

The baking fest hasn't quite begun on this end yet, but soon enough it certainly will, and the days of a kitchen warm with the sublime aroma of sweet holiday treats will soon be here once more. I love cooking and baking for the holidays, so this point sets me smiling just thinking about it - not to mention the fact that it easily gets the ol' tummy rumbling, too!

Hmmm, perhaps I better go see if we have any molasses in the pantry and do a little pre-official Christmas baking cookie making. Smile

15 comments:

  1. I really love vintage ads. They seemed more honest than today's ads. I love baking for the holidays but it can get a bit overwhelming. A few years back, I made cookies and fudge for my husband's relatives. It was a lot of work but it was way cheaper than buying presents and this way you know people will actually like it.

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  2. Yummy~there is nothing like Christmas cookies! I've promised myself time to do some cookie baking this year. Your vintage ad is great. Ha, look at those cost prices. Loving your post. :)

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  3. Oh how I do love baking Christmas cookies. It brings me right back to happy childhood memories. I love a tasty ginger cookie and might have to give one of these recipes a whirl. Thanks for sharing.

    xoxo, Megan

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  4. We used to go all out with Christmas goodies. And I mean ALL OUT!!! Almond bark, two kinds of fudge, cookies galore, chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate covered pb cracker sandwhiches, etc... now we just make cookies and brownies for my Uncle and his family.

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  5. Mmm, molasses makes cookies so soft and rich. My grandmother always used them to make giant picnic cookies that I loved.
    -Jamie
    http://chatterblossom.blogspot.com/

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  6. Yes, I have my Christmas cookie and candy list too that I make. I am ready to add some new ones to the list. Gingerbread men are on my list that I make (although, I don't make cookies and candy every year) And, we are just deciding when to start the baking frenzy. These are the gifts we are going to give this year to family. Ribbon cookies; chocolate, poppy seed and cherry layered cookies, and pineapple fudge are two of my more unique recipes I like to make. The ribbon cookie recipe is in the Good Housekeeping cookbook.

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  7. Although I have never attempted a true gingerbread cookie.I tend to only make rolled sugar cookies this time of the year. They take a lot of time so my time=love for christmas:P

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  8. An interesting recipe to try indeed! Only just started thinking about setting up the tree, baking and decorating cookies for Christmas! Starting to feel really festive now that December is here! :) Hope you are having a fabulous weekend my dear!
    May x
    walkigninmay.blogspot.co.uk

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  9. Baking was one of those female activities I was discouraged from doing. (And by discourage, I mean forbidden.) I'd love to get into it now. Your recipes are inviting. The flavor of molasses is delightful.

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  10. I absolutely love Christmas baking (even if it is way too hot to have the oven on at this time of year in Australia) with my favourite being gingerbread with my grandmas shortbread coming a close second. But gingerbread always makes the house smell like Christmas.

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  11. All of those cookies look so perfect...and mouth watering! I was going to make some today but couldn't find the gingerbreadmen cutters, but at some point this week I am so going to make some gingerbread men! I'd love to see pictures of what cookies you end up making :D

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  12. Yum! The mention of molasses alone makes me want to try one of these recipes! I'm definitely ready to bake some cookies in the coming weeks!

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  13. Thank you for sharing those recipes!! :D Oh I love Christmas baking!!!! So delightful! :D

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  14. What a charming recipe sheet! I love the various glass cookie jars too. I am going to fire up my Christmas Cookie production line this week with my small fry. xx Shauna

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  15. Thank you! Hope I'll find some time to make Christmas cookies :)


    Veronika

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