‘Tis the season for baking all things yummy and delicious—including Christmas treats! Over the next week, we know you’ll be headed to plenty of parties, be hosting a lot of family, and may even participate in a Christmas Cookie Exchange or two. To help you be prepared for all these events (and to help you stake your claim as “The Queen of The Christmas Treats”) we want to share some tried and true recipes from our team at Lifeway Women. Enjoy!
Juliana’s Soft Molasses Cookies
These cookies continue to be a favorite among my family, especially my brothers and nephews! The recipe is tattered but this is only proof to how much we love this recipe! – Juliana Wilson, Lifeway Women Social Media and Influencer Marketing Strategist
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup solid vegetable shortening
- 1-½ cups sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 4 cups flower
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2-¼ teaspoons baking soda
- 2-¼ teaspoons ground ginger
- 1-½ teaspoons ground cloves
- 1-½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, shortening and sugar until lightly colored and fluffy. Beat in molasses and eggs; set mixture aside. In another large bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Blend thoroughly with whisk. Gradually mix flour mixture into creamed ingredients until dough is formed and smooth. Roll dough into balls. Dip tops in granulated sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake 350 for 11 minutes. Do not overbake. Cool on wire rack.
Lu’s Fool-Proof Fudge
This is a tried-and-true family favorite recipe from Heather’s mom! It has been requested at Christmas parties for decades and is even sold in a local café during the Christmas season. Best of all, this beloved recipe is no fuss and easy to master! – Heather Ross, Lifeway Women Events Marketing Strategist
- 4 ½ cups sugar
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 3 (12 oz) packages chocolate chips
- 7 oz marshmallow cream
- ½ pound butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups nuts (optional)
Mix sugar with evaporated milk. Bring to a rolling boil and boil for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring often. Meanwhile, mix chocolate chips, marshmallow cream, butter (melted), and vanilla in a large heat-proof bowl. After the sugar mixture is done boiling, pour it over the chocolate chip mixture and mix well until all ingredients are well combined and smooth. Add nuts if using. Pour into buttered pans and chill in refrigerator until set, preferably overnight.
Milky Way Cookies
A fun way to talk to kids about how the Magi looked up at the Milky Way in the night sky and followed the Star! – Michelle Hicks, Lifeway Women Content Editor
2 sticks of softened butter
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ¾ cups of flour
1 teaspoon baking
½ teaspoon salt
35 mini Milky Way bars, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars with a mixer. Beat in eggs and vanilla until well combined. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients along with the chopped Milky Ways. Scoop cookies onto a lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool for 2 minutes on baking sheet to allow the chocolate to melt a bit more, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Baking for the holidays? Don’t forget to tag @lifewaywomen on social media if you give these recipes a try!
