Introduction: Cookie Baskets
In this instructables, you will find:
Apricot and Nut cookies
Cappuccino cookies
Chocolate Oatmeal cookies
Cranberry Cornmeal cookies
Gingerbread cookies
Poppy Seeds and Lemon cookies
I will also show you how to make super easy and super affordable cookie packaging :)
Step 1: Apricot and Nut
If you aren't so lazy like me, you can transform these cookies into pinwheel cookies :)
1/2 c butter/margarine/shortening butter flavor, butter is at room tempt.
1 c sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 c flour
1 tsp BP
1/4 c apricot jam
3/4 c walnuts, finely chopped
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy then beat in egg and vanilla
Combine dry ingredients and gradually add to the creamed butter and mix well
If you are making pinwheels, roll dough, spread jam and sprinkle with nut and roll. Chill for 2 h and slice. But if you are making drop cookies like on the picture, once dough is formed, chill an hour then rewhip using mixer and beat in jam and the chopped walnuts
Drop by heaping tbsp on ungreased baking sheet and bake on preheated 375 F for 9-12 mins. Cool on rack completely before storing
Cookies are on the 4th on the picture (clockwise), next to gingerbread
Step 2: Cappuccino
1/3 c butter/margarine, butter is at room tempt.
1 c brown sugar, dark or light or even palm sugar and/or coconut palm sugar
2/3 c cocoa powder
1 tbsp instant coffee, regular or decaf
1 tsp BSoda
1 tsp cinnamon powder
2 egg whites (if using pasteurized from carton, 1 egg white is equal to 3 tbsp and 2 tsp)
1/3 c yogurt, plain, low fat, vanilla flavored, is up to you :)
1 1/2 c flour
1/4 sugar, for rolling
Preheat oven 350 F
Beat butter until fluffy then beat in brown sugar, cocoa powder, coffee granules, baking soda and cinnamon powder
Beat in egg whites and yogurt until combined
Beat in flour (if you are using hand held mixer, beat in as much flour as you can, then stir in with wooden spoon
Shape a tbsp dough into a ball, roll on sugar and place on ungreased baking sheet
Bake for 8-10 mins and cool on rack completely before storing
On picture, cookies are the dark chocolate ones :)
Step 3: Chocolate Oatmeal
In a bowl, mix:
3/4 c flour
1 tsp BSoda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 c chopped walnuts
1 c m n ms or smarties
1/2 c raisins
3/4 brown sugar, dark or light or palm sugar or coconut palm sugar is fine
1 1/4 c quick cooking oats
Preheat oven 350 F and lightly grease baking sheets
Beat 3/4 c butter (softened), 1 egg, 3/4 tsp vanilla essence until smooth then stir in flour mixture
Roll into balls and bake for 12-15 mins
Cool on sheets for 2 mins then move cookies to cooling rack to cool completely before storing
Cookies are on the left of cappuccino cookies, on the picture :)
Step 4: Cranberry Cornmeal
1 c flour
1/2 c cornmeal
1/2 tsp BP
a pinch of salt
1/3 c butter/margarine, butter is at room tempt.
1/4 c sugar
1/4 tsp almond essence
1 egg
1 tsp orange/lemon/lime zest
1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
Mix dry ingredients, set aside
Beat butter, sugar, essence until fluffy then beat in egg and orange zest
Fold in dry ingredients followed with chopped berries
Roll into a log and freeze for an hour
Slice and bake on preheated 350 F for10-12 mins on parchment lined baking sheets
On picture, cookie is next to cappuccino cookies to the right
Enjoy :)
Step 5: Gingerbread
1 c shortening
1 c sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/4 c molasses (fancy, dark, cooking, whichever you can find)
5 1/2 c flour
2 tsp ginger
1 tsp each cinnamon powder, clove powder, baking soda, salt (or you can use 1 tsp allspice to subs clove)
Mix flour and spices, plus baking soda and salt, set aside
Beat shortening and sugar until fluffy, then beat in eggs and molasses
Gradually stir in the rest of the ingredients
Divide dough into 2 portion, shape into disk, cover and let rest in the fridge over night
Roll dough between parchment paper and cut with cookie cutter to desired shapes
Bake on preheated 325 F for 12-15 mins and cool on rack before decorating and storing
On picture, gingerbread are behind poppy seeds cookies and apricot and nut cookies
Step 6: Poppy Seeds and Lemon
2/3 c sugar
1/2 c butter/margarine, butter softened
1 egg
2 tsp grated lemon peel
1 1/4 c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp poppy seeds
Lemon Glaze
1 c icing sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
Preheat oven 350 F
Mix flour, baking soda, salt and poppy seeds
Beat butter and sugar until fluffy then beat in egg and lemon peel
Gradually beat in flour mixture
Drop dough by generous teaspoon on ungreased baking sheets and bake for 11-12 mins
Cool on rack completely before glazing
Mix icing sugar and lemon juice, pour into piping bag or ziplock bag, and glaze cooled cookies
Let icing harden before storing
Cookies are in front of gingerbread and close to cranberry cornmeal
Step 7: How to Make Packaging
We use paper plate, which are a dollar for a dozen at Dollar store, how awesome is that? :)
Bend on the corners creating a square shape as shown on picture, and on each ends of the square, cut with scissor
Bend these cuts and attach one another with strapler
Voila, your packaging is done :)
If your plates are the hard one, for easier bending, cut the outer layer as shown on first picture (see my plates shape on the last picture, it has hard outer area)
Step 8: Packing Cookies
Place tissue paper into cookie box, green and red color are so festive for this season. Organize your cookies nicely and hide a small Christmas card if not gift card for a surprise (I use Tim Horton's for coffee or whatever recipient wants to get), and wrap with cellophane.
Voila, your cookie basket is ready :)
Happy Christmas~