Virtual cookie exchange

Hello Everyone,

And welcome to the Virtual Cookie Exchange, hosted by our good friend Carol at Just Let Me Quilt. Thank you Carol, this blog hop is always fun :)

I have 4 kids, and even though 2 of them are young adults now, we all still enjoy the same Christmas cookies and candies at this time of year that we have since they were little. The most favorite of all is Chocolate Gingerbread, a recipe I found in this book,  many years ago. Here is the recipe:

• 2 cups (12-ounce package) chocolate chips, divided
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup water
• Frosting of your choice.
• MICROWAVE 1 1/2 cups morsels in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; STIR. The morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted. Cool to room temperature. Or melt them over the stove top on low, stirring all the while.
  
  COMBINE flour, baking soda, salt, ginger and cinnamon in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in small mixer bowl until creamy; beat in molasses and melted chocolate. Gradually add flour mixture alternately with water, beating until smooth. Cover; refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
  
  PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
  
  ROLL half of dough to ¼-inch thickness on floured surface with floured rolling pin. Cut dough into shapes using cookie cutters or a stencil. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
  
  BAKE for 5 to 6 minutes or until edges are set but centers are still slightly soft. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
• Frost and decorate as desired.
• They are awfully sweet, so a cup of hot coffee (or tea) with them is perfect.

Ginger snaps are my personal favorite :) But I only  make them at this time of year.

Our favorite Christmas tradition also involves goodies :) The kids look forward to fresh, hot cinnamon rolls when they are done opening gifts. I make the dough and form the rolls the night before, then stick them in the freezer for the night. In the morning, before the kids get up, I take them out of the freezer and pop them into the oven about a half an hour before they get up. Then after opening gifts, we have cinnamon rolls while sitting around enjoying gifts and each other.

I've been busy in the sewing room, making  a few fun table mats. I fussy cut the snowmen and then used scraps to make up the mat. These make great gifts, with a big mug and some cocoa mix :)

Have a blessed Christmas, and thanks for stopping by.

Please don't forget to go and look for more goodies over at these wonderful blogs:

MooseStashQuilting

Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

Kathleen McMusing

DesertSky Quilting

Life in the Scrapatch

Ridge Top Quilt (you are here)

Cynthia's Creating Ark

Bejeweled Quilts by Barb

Pumpkin Patch Patterns & Quilting

Operation Domestic Goddess

Just Let Me Quilt

Thank you Carol, for another fun blog hop!!