Baking for the Christmas Grinch!

I tire quickly of Christmas commercialism and some would even call me a Grinch! My enthusiastic daughter started Christmas baking for the freezer (we only ate the broken pieces ;-)... Here are the recipes she made this weekend.

Shortbreads
Molasses Crinkles
Pink Squares
Lemon Squares
Christmas Cake
Sugar Cookies

Danish Hindbaerkager

These simple and delicious bar cookies are a family favourite.

1 cup shortening (no butter)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
2-2/3 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup thick jam

Glaze (optional)

1/2 cup icing sugar
1 to 2 tsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream shortening and sugar. add eggs. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk. Beat until smooth. Divide dough in 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 10 inch rope, 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Using a wooden spoon, make a groove down the centre of the rope. Bake at 375F for 7 minutes. Remove from oven. Spoon jam into grooves. Bake five minutes longer.
Cool 10 minutes. Drizzle glaze over warm cookies. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut cookies diagonally into 1 inch strips (You may have to eat the ends!)
Makes 5 dozen cookies. Cool completely before storing. They freeze well, but also taste good frozen. ;-)

Lemon Squares

Tart and sweet, easy and delicious. I have also tasted them made with lime juice.

Base:
1 cup butter
2 cups flour
1/2 cup icing sugar

Mix ingredients until crumbly. Press into a 9x13 greased pan.
Bake at 350F for 20 minutes until light brown.

Filling:
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
6 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Beat eggs, add sugar, lemon juice, flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until well blended. Pour over warm base. Bake at 350F for 25 minutes. When cooled, sprinkle with icing sugar and cut into squares.

Pictured here.

Pink Squares (Coconut Graham Squares)

We always make these with pink icing, so they are pink squares!

Base:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp flour

Mix together and press into a 9x13 inch pan
Bake at 275F for 12 minutes

Filling:
Mix one tin of sweetened condensed milk and 2 cups shredded coconut together
Spread over warm base. You may need to wet a knife with warm water to spread it.
Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes, until coconut is slightly browned

Icing:
2 cups icing sugar
4 tbsp butter
3 tbsp milk
food colouring if desired

Pictured here.

Sugar Cookies

This is a very easy recipe from Kraft Kitchens

Cream together

8 oz cream cheese
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar

Add

2-3/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda

Mix dough and form into 3-4 balls. Chill in the fridge for 1/2 hour or more.
Roll out to 1/8 inch thickness, cut into shapes
Bake at 350F for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned
Ice cookies before serving.

Icing

3 tablespoons butter
2 cups icing sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk or cream