Idea for a Small Gift

A couple years ago I put this recipe here on my blog, but I am repeating it here because this is my favorite Christmas cookie recipe .  These little shortbread cookies are buttery and tasty and make a nice small gift for someone who has "everything" or a nice gift for when you visit someone and you need to take 'just a little something'.  You can pile a bunch of these cookies in a large mug or fancy cup (thrift stores sell mugs and cups for practically nothing), along with a couple packets of tea or hot chocolate or cider mix, and they make a good gift for an elderly relative or friend.   Wrap it up in colorful Saran Wrap (this time of year, stores carry Saran Wrap in red and green and blue), then go visiting!  There are lots of folks who would love a visit at this time of year.  We should all do more visiting - plenty of lonely people out there.

Little kids (of all ages!) love these cookies, too.  Take some on a long car trip and keep the little ones occupied for at least a little while.    These cookies are also a good snack for when you play cards or board games.  And they are easy and fun to make. 

 

 

 ELF BITES

A shortbread cookie that is not too sweet

1/2 c. (1 stick) of butter - use ONLY butter

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 tsp. almond extract

1 1/4 c. flour 

1/4 tsp salt

4 tsp. multi-colored nonpareils

Cream the butter, sugar, salt and almond extract.   Add the flour.  (You might just use your hands at this point).   Work in the nonpareils into the dough with your hands.  Line an 8 inch square pan with wax paper, and pat the dough into the pan and refrigerate until firm.  (usually a couple hours)  Lift out the dough using the wax paper and with a sharp knife on a board, cut into 1/2 slices and then into 1/2 inch squares.  Place on an un-greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 -17 min in a 325 oven, until the bottoms just begin to look a little brown.   Don't overbake these.   Let them sit on the cookie sheet until they are cool enough to put into whatever container you wish. 

Pat the dough into a wax paper lined 8 in square pan.

The little Elf Bites ready for baking

 

A cup of tasty little Elf Bites!