Let the baking season begin...the best part of the holidays. I've had pie for breakfast for the last two days so the season actually started a few days ago but you get the idea.
With three kids, it's not really feasible to have a completely "handmade" holiday but baked goods make easy handmade gifts (plus they get consumed so the recipient doesn't have more stuff around their house). I made these shortbread cookies for an exchange with my friends from school. They are simple, pretty, good and, baked in paper cups, they are easy to give.
4 sticks butter; softened
1 C sugar
4 C flour
1/2 tsp coarse salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 C milk chocolate chips
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and combined flour and salt. Stir until combined. Stir in chocolate. Line muffin pans with paper baking cups and scoop 2 Tbsp sized drops in each cup. Flatten slightly. Bake at 325 for 12 minutes until they brown slightly. Cool and dust with powdered sugar.
