LIFE

 

Ever since my dad was a kid, he's looked forward to his mom’s Christmas cookies every year. Then I came along, and I also fell in love with Gram's sweet treats...the holidays wouldn’t be the same without them. But as she's gotten older, it's become harder for her to whip them up all by herself. So this year, I took on the task of making the cookies myself so she wouldn’t have to.

Of course, I'll never do them justice because they *always* taste better when she makes them (it must be her special touch!). But that's not important. What is important is keeping up your family traditions, whether it's hosting an annual Christmas morning brunch or exchanging gag gifts the night before. No matter what your family does, stick with it. Those silly traditions are what make the holiday so special and meaningful, to you, to your grandparents, to your little bro. They're what make December 25th such a magical time and what one day, you can hopefully pass down to your own kids and family.

If you're looking to start your own tradition this year, why not try a delicious batch of cookies on Christmas Eve? Follow the recipe to my Gram’s cookies below...I hope you enjoy them as much as my family does. 

You'll need:

1 ½ cups sugar
¾ cups of butter or margarine
Pinch salt
2 teaspoons liquid anise
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
½ cups milk
1 teaspoon baking soda (dissolve in hot water)
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 ½ to 6 cups of flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

2. Combine all ingredients in a mixer, and blend.

3. After mixing, let the batter chill in refrigerator for about one hour.

4. Roll out and cut with cookie cutters. Tip: Put flour down on the counter and on rolling pin so dough doesn’t stick.

5. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

6. Frost and decorate with plain white frosting, or color.

7. Enjoy! (I love them most when they’re chilled).

What family traditions do you love? Let us know below! 

by Makaila Nichols | 12/17/2016