Today is a doozie of a post, but it’s only because there is lots of deliciousness to share… but first, I must mention last night. Hubbs and I hosted friends over for a Christmas dinner. It was so much fun to get to show off our Christmas decorations and have a reason to set the table.
It was pot luck and there were many yummy things to eat. (I made Iowa Girl Eats’ Healthified Artichoke dip – it was a success!)
The scene was set, everyone arrived, festive cocktails were poured… then Hailey went berserk! I’m talking inconsolable-tears-running-down-her-face berserk. I had never seen her like that, ever. We tried every trick in the book- bouncing, white noise, nursing, even the bath tub. Nothing worked. My heart broke because it was clear she was looking at my with ‘I’m hurting, mama’ eyes. I knew it had to be a tummy troubles. About 45 minutes and one warm bath later, she finally let some solid toots escape… instant relief. My happy little girl returned. Clearly she had worn herself out, which was nice because it meant we could return and have dinner with our friends. What are the odds that she goes crazy the one time we have people over? Luckily they are a fabulous group, and no one minded a bit 🙂
Now that you’re in the Christmas mood, let me tell you about the…
It was so neat to participate in a secret Santa type cookie swap, especially because it meant receiving scrumptious treats in the mail!
There were these can-I-just-pretend-these-are-healthy-because-they-are-so-good dark chocolate cookies from Meg.
These festive, thin-mint tasting (YUM) mint chocolate truffle cookies from Teri
and these melt-in-your-mouth (seriously!) Peanut Butter Hazelnut Brownies from Kristen.
In order to receive all these fabulous treats, I had to participate myself, so I whipped up some of my mom’s super easy and always a hit
Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
- 1 c butter, softened
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 1 c sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 1/2 c all purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- confectioners sugar
- food coloring
I doubled the recipe so there would be leftovers 😉
Cream Butter and cream cheese in mixer. Gradually add sugar until light and fluffy.
Then add the egg yolk and vanilla. Beat well.
Gradually add flour. Why yes, that is an adult onesie I’m wearing. Don’t hate.
Mix until well blended. Scrape down the sides and chill dough for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 325. Roll dough into 1” balls and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
Create the thumbprint… using a well-washed thumb 🙂
Bake for 12-15 minutes. About halfway through I stick my thumb back in to ensure a proper thumbprint. Once baked, pull out and allow to cool. Once fully cooled, blend confectioners sugar, a little bit of water and food coloring, until you have icing. Pour into cooled thumbprints.
Once icing hardens, package them up!
It was fun to bundle up the cookies and send them on their way!
I hope you check out some of these great cookie recipes, and if you try out my cream cheese cookies, let me know what you think. I love them. They’ve always screamed CHRISTMAS to me 🙂
What is the one cookie that Christmas just isn’t Christmas for you without it?
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
My mom make lemon flavored soft almost like sugar cookies that are shaped into knots and dipped in a powdered sugar/lemon glaze topped with sprinkles. No Christmas is complete without them!
I also LOVE thumbprint cookies though. I usually fill them with jam but I like the festive-ness of yours 🙂
Brittany says
holy moly those sound frickin’ awesome. Can she send me some?!
chelcie @ chelcie's food files says
i participated in the swap too! those thumbprints sound delicious! one cookie that it isan’t christmas without..definitely peanut butter blossoms!
Jenny says
I have to second the Peanut butter kisses but I always make the traditional spritz cookies (the ones you make with the cookie press) I can’t wait to start my baking this week!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Those cookies look so cute! I love them!
I always make sugar cookies but I’m not sure why since they aren’t my favorite.
An adult onesie sounds awesome!
Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon says
Thumbprint cookies are always so fun and festive looking (and of course, tasty!)
I think my need-them-for-it-to-be-Christmas cookies are these triple almond cookies that we always make: ground almonds + almond extract + rolled in slivered almonds!
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength says
Love the way your table looks all decorated for the party! 🙂
CJ has had little episodes like that at pretty inopportune times. I want to be like I swear he really is a great baby. LOL 🙂
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
That cookie swap is such a cool idea!!!
I’m sorry hailey had some tummy troubles 🙁 At least got got her calmed down!!
Corrie @ Blurb Column says
Your table looks beautiful!
The cookie swap sounds awesome! A great way to try new cookies without having huge batches of cookies to try and avoid eating!
Lee says
4th post in a row that I’ve read with yummy looking cookies on it. I need cookies asap!!
Jen@FoodFamilyFitness says
I went to a cookie party on Saturday and made sugar cookies with a snicker bar in the middle and sprinkles on top. A-Freaking-Mazing if I do say so myself 😉
Roz says
Looks like SUCH a fun time!!! YAY!! Glad little Hailey settled down eventually too! (sometimes, you’ve just gotta let the fart go, and move on with your night! 🙂 Aren’t I classy for saying that???? 🙂 ) I’m dying to go to a cookie swap, but have yet to. Next year, I’m organizing it myself! My favorite Christmas cookie? Whipped shortbread. Sooo good, but soooo not “weight watchers point friendly”. Have a good week Brittany!!!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
I hope you liked the brownies!! And I hope they all showed up in one piece! 😉 Your cookies look so pretty and festive. Have a great holiday!
Brittany says
The brownies were amazing! I couldn’t keep my husband’s hands off of them. I’m going to have to make them myself because they were a huge hit!
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
Those thump prints sound amazing!!!!! I’m sure your lucky recipients loved them 🙂
Christina says
YUM! Everything looks so delicious!!
Meg @ My Chocolate Covered Life says
So glad you liked them, Brittany! Merry Christmas 🙂
blackhuff says
To be honest: Me and my family don’t have any cookies anymore during the Festive season because we had cookies in abundance when I was obese and I just can’t let us go back to that again. So no more cookies over Festive season anymore.
Happy to hear that your little one was fine after 45 min and also that it was a great group of people who did understand.