Gifts from the Kitchen: Cookies for Santa

Better hurry Santa, those look mighty tasty

My sister and I left cookies out for Santa on Christmas eve. It was always a big debate: chocolate chip or shortbread? Chocolate chip usually won the day. Tradition ruled that we also leave carrots out for the reindeer. 

Easy to bake – get the kids to help!

Come Christmas morning, we would scamper out with excitement, well before dawn, and gasp at the empty cookie plate. We agreed that the cookie crumbs scattered about were ample evidence that Santa had indeed arrived. We knew all about evidence, you see, from reading Nancy Drew novels and watching Quincy, M.E. on TV. Sometimes the reindeer left carrot bits outside for us to find. 

Makes a great gift!

These cookies are amazingly good. Like so good, we have tested 5 or 6 batches. I guarantee your Santa will love them. The cookies are a little crumbly to roll in your hands. A technique that worked for me was to squeeze the ball between both hands and then roll it out. 

Giggle.

 I have provided free labels for you to use if you like. 

Cookies for Santa
- Based on this recipe by Bakerella (http://www.bakerella.com/mix-things-up/)

- Fills one 1 litre canning jar

- Pack each layer down with a spoon!

Layer in the jar in this order:
(Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda & salt together for first layer)

• 1 1/3 cup all purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 

Next layer:
1 cup large flake oats (not instant)

Next layer:
3/4 cup Christmas-coloured M&Ms

Next layer:
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Next layer:
1/2 cup light brown sugar

Next layer:
1/2 cup white sugar

Next layer (pack it in!!):
1/3 cup chopped pecans (Leave out the pecans for the nut-free household)


To make the cookies, you simply:
Empty entire jar of ingredients into a bowl.
Add 1 beaten egg, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanila
Roll into 1 1/2” balls
Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.




Enjoy!