The Holiday Season

We are dreaming of a sensational holiday...


Bell Cookies

Bell Cookies

Christmas and cookies are synonymous. Nothing smells better than fresh baked cookies during the holiday season.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt

You will also need:
Royal Icing
Food coloring
Gold or silver dragees and
Gold or silver ribbon.

Directions:

1. In a medium-size bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking powder; set aside.
2. In mixing bowl cream butter and vanilla. Gradually beat in sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in flour mixture.
3. Gather dough into a ball, flatten to a 5-inch round, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate dough at least 50 minutes or overnight.
4. When dough has chilled, lightly grease 2 baking sheets and preheat oven to 325º F (160º C).
5. Cut 2 pieces of waxed paper the same size as baking sheets. Lightly flour waxed paper and place one sheet on table or counter, floured side up.
6. Cut dough round in half. Place one half of dough in center and top with other waxed paper, floured side down. Roll out dough between paper to 1/8-inch thickness and remove top piece of sheet from dough.
7. Using 4-inch bell shape cookie cutter, cut out as many cookies as possible, leaving 1/2 inch between each shape, and remove all trimmings. Invert waxed paper with cookies onto greased baking sheet and peel off waxed paper. Repeat with remaining half of cookie dough to fill second baking sheet. Press all trimmings together and reroll between floured waxed paper. If making cookies to use as hanging ornaments, use a toothpick to pierce a small hole (about 1/2-inch from top center of each cookie).
8. Bake cookies 10-12 minutes or until just golden at edges.
9. Cool cookies 5 minutes on baking sheets and remove to wire racks to cool completely.

To Decorate Cookies:
To decorate cookies as pictured use a pastry brush and paint the front of cookies with a thick coat of yellow Royal Icing (avoid pierced holes).
While yellow icing is still wet, using white icing in decorating bag, top yellow icing with loops and swirls of white icing.
Scatter 10-12 gold or silver dragees over each bell and set aside to dry.
Attach ribbons to hang cookies like ornaments from tree.
To store, arrange cookies in a single layer in airtight container.


TIPS:
Using this classic cookie dough and different cookie cutters, you can create delightful holiday ornaments that are simple even for kids to make. This cookie recipe is great for eating or decoration and for keeping and giving which is perfect for every cook.
If cookies are to be displayed only and not eaten, they can be baked and decorated up to one month ahead.
If cookies are going to be displayed and eaten, prepare and store up to a week ahead, displaying only a few hours before eating.

Beverages

RomWell Holiday Season

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Did You Know?

A great part of any company dinner can be prepared the day before. If you have room in the freezer you can prepare a lot of dishes well in advance, freeze them in plastic containers and use them when needed.

First thing to do is to select your menu and make a list of the principal dishes. With each dish have a list of the vegetables, sauces or other things to be served, and the time for serving. This will insure the dishes being ready at the proper moment.


More Holiday Entertaining Tips...