Merry Christmas my friends, can you all believe the holiday season everyone dreams about is finally here for us 😀 😀 😀 😀
I hope you are all celebrating with family friends this joyous occasion of 2012, with lots of wonderful festivities, food and laughter 🙂
I wish I could be here with you all, and I promise to celebrate with you all belatedly but right now, I am with my family in India as I should be during this fabulous time 🙂
But no fear, no fear, I have some incredible guestposts lined up for you all and I hope each and every one brings a smile to your faces like they did mine – what else is Christmas and New Years about if not grinning? 😀
Happy Holidays!!!
P.S. I will not be commenting on ANY blogs for approximately 2 weeks so please do not think I have forgotten about anyone, I will be back on task straight after holidays 🙂
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As I type I am just about to leave for the airport so I better make this quick! Today, I will be on a plane whisking me off to India so without further ado, today’s guest post comes from a blogging friend of mine very close to my heart, Kim from A Little Lunch. She is one of the sweetest people I know, and I know you will discover more about that just by reading her amazing guest post. Being so close to the wonderful holiday season, I asked for a traditional holiday recipe and this recipe, so personal, familial and lovely was perfect.
Allow me to present to you all Kim, affectionately called Kimby 🙂
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Hi everybody! Kimby here. When Uru invited me to do a guest post for the holidays, I couldn’t have been more tickled. I didn’t get to bake much this past summer (record-setting heat wave in Oklahoma), but with the recent cooler temps, baking was the first thing that came to mind. After all, her blog is named “Go Bake Yourself!”
Although Uru and I live half a world apart, it occurred to me that we both live under a beautiful starry sky. Someday I’d like to see the Southern Hemisphere constellations, but in the meantime, I’ve baked an entire galaxy for us to enjoy.
I also couldn’t resist making my lovely hostess a couple of “sammich cookies”. Uru is well known for combining things, especially where chocolate is concerned (I refer to her stellar concoction, the Brookie…) This one’s for you, Uru.
Of course, I had to taste test 😉
One of my favourite holiday traditions is making rolled-out cookies. When my kids were little, they’d help and we’d break out the whole “decorator arsenal” – coloured sugars, sprinkles, multi-coloured batches of frosting, you name it. But knowing how busy everyone is (especially Uru), I decided to keep things simple. A drizzle of melted chocolate, a sprinkle of coarse sugar, and these cookies were decorated in no time!
Rolled Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 cups plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cups chocolate chips, for garnish
- Coarse sugar, for garnish
Method
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (350 degrees F)
- Combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg yolks, milk and vanilla; mix well
- Gradually add the flour mixture (I used a wooden spoon for this) until combined. Cover and chill dough until firm
- On a lightly floured surface, roll dough with a rolling pin until 1/8″ thick. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters (dip cutters in flour to keep them from sticking). Transfer cut outs to ungreased cookie sheets; bake for 8-10 minutes until the bottoms are light golden (check them at 8 minutes). Cool on wire racks
- When cookies are cool, melt chocolate chips in a double boiler over simmering water. Drizzle melted chocolate over cookies and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Alternatively, sprinkle coloured sugar on the cut outs prior to baking, or decorate them “traditionally” with powdered sugar icing once they’ve cooled.
Recipe Credit: My elderly neighbour, Florence, who delighted in surprising my family with a plateful of cookies each year.
No matter where you live in the world, the stars always seem to shine a little brighter during the holidays. Happy Holidays, Choc Chip Uru and everyone!
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Aaah, Kimby you are so refreshing. I am looking up at the stars as I type this and you are right. We are all under the same roof in a way :). It was lovely to have you and your beautiful cookies featured here today my friend, thank you so much!
Have a happy holiday and if everyone wants to see more spirit and gusto by this wonderful blogger, visit her beautiful blog right now 😀
Wow! those twinkling stars cookies are really CUTE. Thank you for sharing it.
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Beautiful closeup!
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i almost licked my screen. almost.
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So beautiful,no sparkly and very special indeed. So very perfect for the holiday season and mighty tasty to boot, (I’m sure!)
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Enjoy your holiday, Uru!!!! Kimby, your cookies look marvelous!! So festive and yummy!
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My kids, even though they are large, will love making these. Think I’ll plan for it on New Year’s Eve…it’ll be a great treat after we run the Flashlight 5k.
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Denise, sparkly cookies help you run in the dark. 🙂 Thanks for coming by to comment and hope you had fun on the 5k!
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I figured out how to post a comment–takes me a little longer to see the obvious. These look delicious. We will definitely have to make some soon.
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Catherine, you’ll have to let me know if you tried these. They make great Valentine cookies, too! (Heart shaped, of course!) 🙂
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So artistic w the chocolate there!
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Colette @ JFF, chocolate “art” is the best (and “funnest”) kind. Glad you liked it! Thank you.
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Hope you’re having a great holiday.
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Sorry for the belated reply, Eva Taylor… I went on holiday, too! Thanks for your good wishes.
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Another fabulous guest post, Uru! These cookies look amazing, especially covered in delicious chocolate. Happy holidays to you and your family!
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Many thanks, gottagetbaked! Happy Holidays to you & your loved ones, too!
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How festive! Loved the guest post, Kimby 🙂 Hope you are having a lovely time in India, CCU ! xo
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Thanks for stopping in to comment, Ames — especially with just finishing law school & all! (Congratulations!!!)
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Have fun and merry Christmas! 🙂
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Likewise, Bluejellybeans! Can’t wait to see what Uru writes about after her trip, but I guarantee it’ll be FUN! 🙂
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Safe travels Uru! I love everything with a bit of chocolate. Such pretty cookies!
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This was the first time I’d used chocolate to decorate these cookies, Foodie Affair, and you’re right — everything’s better with a lil’ bit of chocolate! 🙂
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Howdy! It’s awesome seeing two lovely bloggers sharing their post. Both of u are such wonderful & cheerful people & u know I’m a huge fan of your blogs, right? These X’mas stars are twinkling in my heart & I want them all for myself! Hahaha! When r u ladies gonna bake for me?? Merry X’mas, Uru & Kim!!
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Howdy to you, too, Shirley, and thanks for your sparkling comments. 🙂
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These are so cute–and with relatively simple decorating techniques that I might actually be able to do. Thanks for sharing!
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Inger Wilkerson, I’m tickled you liked the decorations on the cookies! Simple (and chocolate!) were a good combination for this busy time of year. 🙂
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And the sugar crystals added a nice sparkle! (I can sprinkle sugar 😉 )
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Very tickled to see you on Uru’s blog, Kimby, and I love that you used stars and your thoughts about living under the same ones as Uru, even continents away. The cookies are so pretty, and love your “sammich” cookie! 🙂
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Veronica, like the ol’ song goes… “It’s a small world after all.” 🙂 Pleased you could join us here (and in Oklahoma!) Thanks for your sweet comments!
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Merry Christmas to you – have fun with your family in India!!
Those cookies do look like the perfect cookies to leave Santa
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Kailey, these cookies met with Santa’s approval. 🙂 Merry Christmas to you & yours, too!
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Lovely cookies and I love making a batch of these for the holiday season! Have a fantastic trip CCU!
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Thanks, Christine (@cookingcrusade)! Wishing you happy cookie baking! 🙂
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Hi Uru and Kimby! I just had to drop by to wish you a Merry Christmas Uru. I too am visiting with family. Hope you are having a wonderful time!!! Nice to meet you too Kimby. Your cookies look quite festive. I LOVE Sugar cookies!!! Thanks for sharing…
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Time with family is the best part of the holidays. Making and eating cookies ranks right up there, too. 🙂 Merry Christmas, Edible Celebrations (@lavesta)!
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Great guest post! Merry Christmas to you both!
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Thank you, Melissa! One thing I like about these cookies is that they’re not toooo sweet… I guess you could say they have “Just Enough Sugar.” 🙂 Merry Christmas!
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🙂 I definitely like that!
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Enjoy your time off, Uru – You deserve it 🙂
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(Another one for Uru!) 🙂 But I agree with you 110%!!!
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Great post – Nice to meet you, Kimby … BTW, I went to nursing school in OK 🙂
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Dear Food Stories, I love that we “met” in Australia! Merry Christmas and I hope you get some time to put your feet up. Personally, I think you’re a saint — nurses ROCK!!! 🙂
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Pretty!
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Thank you, Marina@Picnic at Marina! I’m assuming you meant the cookies, but your comment also applies to Miss Uru. 🙂 Happy Holidays!
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Uru – have a safe trip to India. Can’t wait to hear about it. These cookies from your friend look fabulous.
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Have a wonderful Christmas!
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The very same to you, Tessa! (From both of us!)
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I trust you are having a fabulous time in India, I know I would !! Happy Christmas 🙂
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Promenade Clair, I love your British holiday greeting… HAPPY Christmas! ‘Tis happy indeed. 🙂 Thank you!
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I missed you so much, but I could not wish you a merry christmas!
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elena-sweetlife, this sounds like a personal greeting to Uru, too, but I’ll wish you a Merry Lil’ Christmas for both of us! 🙂
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Merry Christmas to you!
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yummychunklet, I consider “you” as plural — sorta like “all y’all” — thank you for your Christmas greeting to Uru n’ me! 🙂
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The previous comment was for Guru URU
Hi Kimby, Your sweet snacks are always a sensation. These cookies with sugar and chocolate on top looks gorgeously twinkling. Have wonderful Christmas!
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Gotcha, Balvinder! 🙂 (I’ll leave that one for Uru to reply to.) Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, too!
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Enjoy your holidays!
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Yummy twinkling star cookies!!
Wishing you a Happy holiday with your family! Enjoy 🙂
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Thanks, petit4chocolatier! Somehow I think Uru is shining brightly at her family gatherings, too. 😉 Happy Holidays to you as well!
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Enjoy your blogfree weeks …. will be here waiting on you. Have a magical Christmas … and a fantastic ending with a gentle begging.
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Viveka, your sweet thoughts were like a gift for Uru when she returns — coming home to FRIENDS, and “magical Christmas” wishes. Many thanks!
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Kimby, thanks for coming back to me … and for your sweet thoughts about Uru … and my little greeting. Very sweet of you.
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Merry Christmas to you and yours too!
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Likewise, Angie! Thanks for the Christmas wishes! 🙂
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What pretty star cookies!! Great guest Post. Wishing you a wonderful trip and Merry Christmas in India!!
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Merry, merry Christmas to you and your family!
It looks like you lined up a perfect holiday guest post.
Enjoy your trip!
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Merry Christmas to you, too, Cher, and thanks for your encouraging comments!
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Oh I love the look of these cookies and I know my son would too! He loves to sing ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star’ and does so every time he sees a star shape (so rather a lot at this time of year 😉 )! Lovely guest post! All the best to you and your family CCU! Happy holidays xxx
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mmarzipan, kids and cookies go together like Uru and chocolate. 😉 Love that your son is inspired to sing! Music is one of my favorite ingredients. 🙂
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Beautiful cookies! Lovely guest post Kim. Have a Merry Christmas both of you!
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Paula, thank you! The same to you and yours!
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Hi Kim, lovely festive cookies, love the twinkly sprinkles! CCU! India! Have the most fantastic time! Cannot wait to see what influences you will bring back to your food! Merry Christmas.
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Hi, Hester! You’re right — it’ll be fun to see what Uru cooks up when she returns — we’re all in for a treat! Merry Christmas to you, too!
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I love this
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Thanks, albertocook!
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Great guest post … sugar cookies are great and the presentation is very seasonal. 🙂
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Thank you, A_Boleyn! This recipe can also be adapted to “every day” use — roll the dough into 1-1/2″ balls & press them down (on a baking sheet) with a glass dipped in sugar — no frosting required. (But I’m kinda partial to chocolate and sparkles!) 😉
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Great guest post! Who doesn’t like a sugar cookie? One of my faves! Merry Christmas! And have a safe trip, Uru.
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Pleased you could join our lil’ party here, John! I see you’re on a quest for “flavor” (per your early posts) — lol, I grew up on Spam with brown sugar, too. Glad you enjoyed the post — and the cookies! 🙂
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Uru, thanks so much for allowing me to fill in while you’re enjoying time with your family! Rest assured, I’ll respond to comments (hopefully with as much flair!) as you typically do. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and get some SLEEP! 😉
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Pingback: My Guest Post for Choc Chip Uru on Go Bake Yourself « a little lunch
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas with your family in India CCU! Those twinkling stars are the stuff dreams are made of!
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Many thanks, Profiteroles & Ponytails! Looks like you have two “helpers” (on your blog) ready to bake up a batch of their own twinkling stars. 🙂
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