Holiday Baking Extravaganza!

T'is the season for holiday baking, and Andrea and Brie were busy over the weekend baking up some delicious treats at their annual Christmas baking get-together. If you'd like to try some of these delectable-looking creations yourself, keep reading for the recipes!

On behalf of the front end girls and the rest of the team at Active Living, we would like to wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year. We hope you and your families enjoy a happy and healthy 2018 send-off, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2019!

Granny's Sugar Cookies

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1 egg

• 2 tbsp cold water

• 2 1/2 cups flour

• 1 tsp cream of tarter

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 tsp vanilla

Cream together butter, sugar, egg, vanilla and water; Add in dry ingredients; Shape into balls and chill for at least 30 minutes; Roll out and bake at 400°F for 8 minutes.

Chocolate Covered Cookie Dough Balls

• 1 1/4 cup of M&M's

• 2 Aero chocolate bars

• 1/2 package (4oz) cream cheese

• 1/2 cup flour

• 1/2 cup butter

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla

Mix butter and cream cheese until smooth; Add sugar, flour, and vanilla and mix well; Stir in M&M's; Form into balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper; Freeze for 2 hours; Melt Aero bars in a microwave safe bowl; Dip frozen truffles into melted chocolate and garnish with remaining M&M's.

Thumbprint Cookies

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 1/2 tbsp almond extract

• 1 cup flour

• jam

Mix butter, sugar, and egg; Add almond extract gradually; Add flour and mix; Cover and chill for 1 hour; Shape dough into balls; Dent with thumb; Fill thumb print with a spoonful of jam; Bake 10-12 minutes at 350°F.

Shortbread Cookies

• 1 cup butter

• 1/2 cup corn starch

• 1/2 cup icing sugar

• 2 cups flour

Beat butter and add dry ingredients; Roll into balls; Pat down; Add toppings - e.g., maraschino cherries, candy cane bits, chocolate, etc.; Bake at 325°F for 20 minutes.