Happy Wednesday!! Can you believe it's only TWO days until Christmas? We are almost ready, just a few more gifts to wrap. Our little guys haven't been feeling so well, so some of the "last minute prep" stuff just went by the wayside...but you know, I think that's o.k. because there is more time to spend with each instead of running around trying to get things done! :-)
Here's some home baked gifts that I whipped up the other day...
After baking these Soft Ginger Cookies (see below for the recipe) with my daughter, I packaged them up in these Glassine bags. I prettied up the bags with some labels I created using the Baked With Love set. I was so excited when Michelle started carrying these stamps (the new Cookbookin' Line) because I LOVE to bake and can already see the fun recipe cards, mini cookbooks, and of course tags that I will make to go with those baked goodies! :-)
Here are some close-up pictures of the tags...
The striped bands were created by stamping the Thin Stripes background stamp (Impression Obsession) onto white cardstock. I then added a punched Kraft border, some White Crochet Lace, and some red ribbon and buttons.
I also added some Diamond Glaze to the bowl...just a little something that I think makes it more special. :-)
On this one, I added some White Liquid Applique and Glitter to the spatula.
For this tag, I added some White Sparkly Fluff to the flour jar, and some Frosted Lace Stickles to the sugar!
My love affair with Ginger Cookies started in Seattle! LOL! When my daughter was in the Seattle Children's Hospital, my sweet friend Tosh came to visit us. They had a Tully's Coffee shop in the hospital (OHHHHH how I was grateful for that! LOL!) and Tosh and I both fell in love with their Soft Ginger Cookies!!! Mmmmm! Ali ended up staying longer in the hospital than expected...and I happened to celebrate my birthday while we were still there. Well, being the amazing friend that she is, Tosh called and had Tully's deliver one of those amazing cookies to Ali's room for me!!
Anyway, I've been on a mission to try as many soft ginger cookie recipes since then, and here is one of my favorites so far:
Soft Ginger Cookies
1/2 c softened butter
2 oz. softened cream cheese
1 c. white sugar
1/4 c molasses
1 egg
1 Tbsp water
2 1/4 c all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp ground ginger
pinch of nutmeg (optional) I add this sometimes...and other times I don't.
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
Extra sugar for rolling
Clear Decorator Sprinkles
Preheat oven to 350. Cream the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until well blended and fluffy. Add the egg and molasses, and water. Mix well. Add the remaining ingredients till blended. Shape into balls, rollin extra sugar. Flatten just a little bit, then sprinkle on Clear Decorator Sprinkles. Bake in a 350 oven for 10-12 minutes (edges should be just slightly browned and center still soft).
O.k...that's all from me! If I don't get back here before Christmas, I want to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas!! Huge hugs!! ~Laurie
Stamps: Baked With Love (Cookbookin'), Thin Stripes background stamp (Impression Obsession), Snowflake Splendor(Verve Stamps)
Ink: White Stazon, Rich Cocoa Memento, Antique Linen Distress Ink
Paper: Snow White Choice c.s., White textured c.s., Kraft c.s.
Accessories: White Liquid Applique, Glitter, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Crochet lace, Diamond Glaze, White Sparkly Fluff, Frosted Lace Stickles, Copics