It’s the most wonderful time of the year!! At least for me, it is! The Christmas season just lends itself to baking!! There are so many variations on cookies and pies and bars that one can indulge in! Lately, I’ve been baking cookies for any and everyone–just to try out new ideas! I absolutely love giving friends and family pretty packaged containers of sweet treats made with love! For those of you who are thinking it will take too long, let me direct you to a simple basic sugar cookie mix at Sweet Sugar Belles blog.  Use the  basic recipe as a blank slate. Flavor the dough according to your preference, cut out various shapes, and become an artist and decorate your cookies as you please. Here are some ideas:

— Orange Glaze and roasted  macadamia nuts

— Maple icing and bacon

— Stained glass effect with crushed hard candies

— Outlined and royal icing filled

— White chocolate and crushed peppermint

Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe from Sweet Sugar Belle! Check  out her blog–it’s awesome!

Ingredients

• 1 c. {two sticks} of REAL unsalted BUTTER, softened
• 1 1/2 c. confectioner’s sugar
• 1 egg
• 2-3 tsp flavoring {pick what you like, I prefer almond}
• 2 1/2-2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt

Instructions

1. Cream together softened butter and confectioner’s sugar. Crack the egg into a separate bowl, and add the flavoring. I use emulsions, but extract also works well. Add that to the butter sugar mixture and mix until the egg is thoroughly incorporated. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then add little by little to the mixture. I can tell the dough is ready when most of it sticks to the paddle. When I touch it, it has a little give, but does not stick to my fingers.
2. Roll out on parchment to about 1/4 an inch thick, use flour for dusting as necessary. Then, cut and bake at 400 degrees for 7-8 minutes. This version makes 2-2 1/2 dozen, doubled, it makes 4-5 dozen.