Christmas Tree Cookies

Robert and I have started Christmas baking. It just wouldn't be Christmas without cream cheese brownies, magic cookie bars, sugar cookies, and of course Christmas Tree Cookies. Cream cheese brownies and magic cookie bars come my mom's side of the family, and sugar cookies and Christmas Tree Cookies come from my dad's side of the family. We have these every year without fail. My mom was great and always let us help even though it would have been easier and faster to just do it herself. Grandma Duffy has the best sugar cookie recipe. Jan and Ann gave it to me at the family shower. Our family has never found a better one. The cookies stay nice and soft for days afterwards and they are yummy.

Christmas Tree Cookies are good but can be a chore to make. You need a cookie press and the one my mom (and hence the kids) used was one that you had to screw down and then you had to bend over and check the bottom of the cookie press to see how much dough was coming out. Grandma Duffy bought a cookie press for my parents when they got married and taught my mom how to make them. Robert and I received a cookie press for our wedding and I decided to make the cookies today after we came home at seven from studying for the final. I was prepared for a long night of baking when, lo and behold, I was done and my kitchen cleaned in less than an hour. The reason? My cookie press is totally awesome. It has a hand trigger that you squeeze and it doles out the perfect amount or dough, no twisting the handle or having to crane you neck to get the job done. I was shocked. I called my parents and they said "no fair, Christmas Tree Cookies are supposed to be a chore." They used to be but not anymore. Thank you Crate and Barrel for making a totally awesome cookie press. Now, onto more finals. sigh.