Spiced Christmas Cookies

  Desserts

This delicious cookie recipe has been passed down through six generations and was brought to America from Germany in 1846! It's a holiday tradition in our house and we're proud to share this wonderful recipe with you.

Spiced Christmas Cookies

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling
YIELD: 7-1/2 dozen.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups molasses
  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 8 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 teaspoons each ground cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves
  • 2-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups chopped walnuts
  • 1-2/3 cups raisins
  • 1/4 cup chopped candied lemon peel
  • 1/4 cup chopped candied orange peel

  • FROSTING:
  • 4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • GARNISH:
  • 4 cups red and/or green candied cherries, cut as desired

Instructions

  • 1. In a very large bowl, beat the molasses, butter, sour cream and lemon juice until well blended. Combine the flour, brown sugar, spices, baking soda, lemon zest and salt; gradually add to butter mixture and mix well. Stir in the walnuts, raisins and candied peels. Cover and refrigerate until easy to handle, about 30 minutes.
  • 2. Divide dough into 4 portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/4-in. round cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° until bottoms are lightly browned, 10-12 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
  • 3. Combine frosting ingredients until smooth. Frost cookies; decorate with cherries. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 187 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 81mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat.

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