Christmas Bells Cookies

Holiday Baking is right around the corner...so I thought I would post the cookies I made every year.  Sometimes.... this is the only cookie I make and then other years it's just one of many.


One of the reasons it's my favorite is ....it's not too sweet...in other words you can eat a whole dozen of them and not get sick :O   They're almost like a soft sugar cookie (less sweet) with a yummy maraschino cherry in the center.


Here it goes...but before I post it I should give credit.  This recipe is an slightly edited version of the Christmas Bells Cookie recipe found in a Christmas Southern Living Cookbook .....many years ago. (one of my favorite books.....I buy every year).


Ingredients are:
2/3 cp unsalted butter, softened 
3/4 cp sugar
1 lg egg
1 tsp orange peel
1 tsp vanilla
2 cps all purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
30 maraschino cherries, halved


Beat butter in large mixing bowl until creamy.  Add sugar and beat well.  Add orange peel, egg & vanilla, beating until well blended.  Combine flour and baking powder in a separate bowl and gradually add it to the butter mixture, beat until well blended.
Cover and chill for 30 minutes (not much longer than that or it will harden and you will have a hard time rolling it out).
Shape dough into 2 rolls. Wrap rolls in Saran wrap and chill for 8 hours.  Cut into 1/4" slices and place on un-greased cookie sheet.  Place one cherry on top of each cookie and Bake at 350% for 10 to 12 minutes.


Makes 5 dozen cookies :)

See ya!