Guest author Jeanette Norman

What a great holiday! Today would be a perfect day to make cookie dough in the science area then bake it for a snack. Here are some recipes from my files for cookies.

Peanut Butter Cookies (Beware of allergies!!)

INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups peanut butter chips
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 large baking sheets with wax paper.
2. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter, peanut butter, and vanilla with an electric mixer until well blended. Beat in both sugars. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Stir in half of the dry ingredients into the mixture. Add eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition. Mix in remaining ingredients. Stir in peanut butter chips.
4. For each cookie, roll 1 heaping tablespoon full of dough into 1 3/4 inch diameter ball. Arrange balls 2 1/2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Using the back of fork, flatten dough balls and form a crosshatch on tops.
5. Bake cookies until dry on top, about 15 minutes.
6. Cool cookies on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Using a spatula, transfer cookies to cooling racks to cool completely. (peanut butter or chocolate chips add good flavor to these!)

Mmmmmm Gingerbread!

INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup dark molasses
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter and flour a 10 inch springform pan.
2. Stir together flour, cinnamon, cloves, ground ginger, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, mix sugar with oil, juice, molasses, eggs, and fresh ginger in a large bowl. Mix in crystallized ginger. Stir in flour mixture. Pour into prepared pan.
4. Bake for 1 hour, or until cake tester comes out clean. Run a knife around the edge to loosen cake, and release pan sides. Serve warm.

Sugar Cookies

INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

DIRECTIONS
1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg and extracts. Combine flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Chill for at least 1 hour. On a surface lightly sprinkled with confectioners' sugar, roll out the dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough. Bake at 350 degrees F for 7-8 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.

Oatmeal Cookies

INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS
1. In a saucepan, cook raisins in water over medium heat until plump, about 15 minutes. Drain, reserving liquid. Add enough water to liquid to measure 1/2 cup. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir in raisin liquid. Blend in dry ingredients. Stir in raisins and oats. Add nuts if desired. Drop by teaspoonfuls about 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

(You can leave out the pudding)
INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add pudding mix, eggs and vanilla. Combine flour and baking soda; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

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Here are some coloring pages of Christmas cookies!

Grandma and some gingerbreadmen

An assortment of cookies

A Hedgehog making Christmas Cookies

Cookies on a Plate