Cookie trays

I grew up with my mom making cookie trays for christmas. She'd give them to co-workers, friends, and always bring them over to my grandparents house on christmas day for the family to enjoy.

We don't go crazy with five hundred different kinds of cookies usually just three. My grandmothers cut-outs, snicker doodles (rolled in red or green sprinkles), and some brownies. We also fill the trays with candy in between the cookies.

Hunter and I are spending Christmas with his family this year so I decided to make some cookie trays to bring with us for everyone to enjoy all weekend long.

I made grandmas cut outs of course, but then saw on Carolina charm an adorably festive candy cane sugar cookie I thought would be perfect for the trays!

Grandmas cut-outs

WET INGREDIENTS
1 c.butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
4 tbs. half and half
1 tsp. vanilla

DRY INGREDIENTS
3 3/4 to 4 c. flour (sometimes 4 cups is just too much flour so use your judgement)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix all the dry ingredients together into a bowl and set aside. In a blender mix butter (room temp), sugar, eggs, half & half, and vanilla until well combined then slowly stir in the dry ingredients. Chill dough in refrigerator for at least 1hr. Roll out and cut using flour to prevent the dough from sticking to the rolling pin and counters. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for only about 5-7mins each. they bake fast so watch them...the bottoms of the cookie should be barely brown.

FROSTING - Pretty basic and really sweet but the sweetness is needed since the cookies alone are not that sweet.

3 cups confectioners
1 stick of butter softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons milk (more if needed)

There really is no method to this frosting madness... start with the above proportions and if its not quiet the right taste or consistency then just keep adding milk, confectioners sugar, or even a little shortening.

Super easy and i think a great gift and gesture. Nothing says Christmas like cookies,cakes and candy! Xoxo