Edible gifts

In the spirit of christmas, I have been making christmassy cookies. It was so much fun! We made butter christmas trees and yoyos. Wrapped them in cello and pink tissue and gave them to neighbours and friends close by. Our neighbours were delighted!


The boys and I dropped them off yesterday afternoon and it was the very first time we've stepped into our neighbours' houses in the last 4 years we've moved into the neighbourhood. There are 3 elderly couples who lived near us that we've always waved and said hello to everytime we passed them, and I've been meaning to have them over for a cuppa but never got around to doing so.

Lachie sniffed around every corner of their house, tickled every santa's beard, jingled the bells on their christmas trees and got stuffed with so much lollies he was silly for the rest of the night!

Simple butter cookie recipe:



150g butter
2/3 cup castor sugar (I only use 1/2 cup)
1/2 tsp rose water essence
1 egg yolk
2 cups self raising flour
2 tbsp milk

Cream butter, sugar and essence until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk. Fold in sifted flour and milk. Place cookie dough in a covered bowl in the fridge for 20 minutes. Roll out dough in between two sheets of baking paper. Cut out shapes with cookie cutter. Sprinkle with 100's and 1000's (now is the time to use those extra little hands!). Bake in a moderate oven for about 12 minutes or until cookies are lightly golden (but not too browned).

Yoyos:



6 oz Butter
6 oz Self Raising Flour
2 oz Pure Icing Sugar
2 oz Custard Powder

Beat butter and sifted icing sugar until light and fluffy. Fold in sifted flour and custard powder. Mix until well combined. Roll into balls and press with a fork. Bake in moderate oven for about 15 minutes or until golden! The aroma of butter from the oven, just delicious! Isn't this recipe SO easy to remember. Commit to memory for once you've had one, it will just melt away in your mouth and you'll want MORE!

Icing:

1.5 oz Butter
6 oz Pure Icing Sugar, sifted
About 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or milk

Combine all ingredients until it become smooth and spreadable. Sandwich icing between two butter cookies. Lick bowl clean!