Christmas Baking Time--Even For The non-Cooks

Thursday I offered up a recipe for THE BEST CHOCOLATE COOKIES with some "power ups' for them.

This is such an easy recipie that anyone can do it and the kids or grandkids will love helping out with the making of them, expecially the rolling of the dough into the ball shaped pieces and then placing them on the baking sheets.

Today THE  BEST LEMON COOKIES

What a great cookie for serving when friends drop by unexpectedly or when a few friends are invited over just to chat.  They make a perfect "tea cookie" for those who still do tea or have time to do so.  Too bad the custom has been replaced by "chat" on the 'puter or texting.  The personal touch has been lost when it comes to conversation and "entertainment".

1 Box of Lemon Cake Mix (any brand will do but Duncan Hines is good and usually less costly than some of the others.)

1/2 cup of oil (again I use canola, you can use what you wish)

2 eggs

granulated or confectionery sugar to roll the cookie dough balls in. ( in this case I like the bit of crunchy that the granulated sugar gives when baked)  Later on you may want to make a batch and leave off the sugar for a "power up" topping.

DIRECTIONS:  Mix ingredients until well blended ( as a note, don't use a mixed as this dough is thick and sticky) adding the eggs one at a time. Scoop out the dough using a table spoon or a melon ball scoop, rolling into round ball shape. Roll these in the sugar mixture and place on a baking sheet. Place in the pre-heated oven (350 degrees) for 12 TWELVE minutes. Remove and allow to cool for TWO (2) minutes before removing from cookie sheets.

POWER UPS:  Grate lemon peel and roll dough balls in the peel. I also use the sugar mixed with the peel for this . (Orange peel grated is delicious also)

If you can find fresh mint leaves this time of the year you might wish to try this:  Make a small batch of "simple syrup" (that is sugar and water boiled. I use equal parts to start and add sugar if necessary to "slightly thicken".  You can add some Orange flavor liqueur or Lemon flavor, half cup of liqueur, half cup water and cup of sugar.  Mix in the mint leaves into the simple syrup and allow to stand until the mint flavor is to your liking. Brush the tops of each cookie making sure that you get a piece or two of mint leaf on the cookie.  It makes a bit of a glaze on the cookie. I have brushed the tops prior to baking to insure a glaze and then added just one more swipe with the mint leaves in the mixture after the cookies are slightly cool. 

Adding orange slice candy pieces to the cook dough is also a treat for the little ones.

To really POWER UP make a Creame Cheese Lemon Frosting and top each cookie after they have had time to cool slightly or make a stack cookie by putting the frosting on one half and topping with another cookie. I would suggest that you double your recipe if you are going to make these.

The frosting recipe is for a double layer cake so you may want to cut it in half. The icing will keep refrigerated for a week or more if it is too much. I have actually used only a third of this but found it difficult to get the consistancy just right. You may have a different recipe and that's ok by all means use it and if you wish share it with others.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 4 drops yellow food coloring(I only use two drops or maybe three. I don't care for the real yellow look.)

Directions

1. Beat cream cheese and butter in a bowl until combined. Beat in powdered sugar and lemon juice.
2. Beat in 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 cups more of powdered sugar till frosting is of spreading consistency. Stir in a few drops of yellow food coloring.