The Sweet Smell of Success

You know that you've reached the bottom when your self-esteem can be damaged through the simple act of standing in the checkout line at the grocery store. But, it happens, time after time, every year, like clockwork. Let a little coolness come to the air and out trot the holiday magazine covers.

It usually starts in early October and continues through December. They're usually on those ladies' magazines. You know which ones I'm talking about. Their titles include words like "Woman's", "Family", "Ladies", etc. I've been an avid reader of these magazines for years. Most of the time, I find them helpful and entertaining. So, I don't understand their annual assault on the self-esteem of their very readers - the women of the world who are, by and large, trying to juggle home, children, husband, and an outside job.

I commented on a particular egregious cover the other day to the lady behind me in line. She agreed whole heartedly......those cookies were decorated by someone with entirely too much time on her hands! I mean, really. Who has the time after getting up, throwing a load of laundry in the washer, fixing breakfast for the family, loading the dishwasher, carpooling the kids to school, doing the "9 to 5" at work, transferring the wash to the dryer, fixing dinner, doing the dishes, checking the kids' homework, and, oh, yeah, planting a big wet one on the husband, to make Christmas cookies that have not one, not two, but 12 different colors and assorted nonpareils. To make matters worse, there were over a dozen cookies and no two were alike.

But, what are we supposed to do? Everybody knows that Christmas cookies are an integral part of the holiday season. Shoot, every child knows that, at the very least, you have to leave Santa cookies and milk (along with some carrots for the reindeer).

I guess, I'm lucky. I have some time on my hands. After all, there's only the Husband (and a dog and cat) in our house. I still have the "9 to 5" to contend with, but the Husband is rather self-sufficient (except that he still needs the occasional smooch). Plus, I just love to make Christmas cookies. I crank up the hi-fi with some holiday tunes and it's nothing but a flurry of activity in the kitchen. By the end, there's the sweet, sweet smell of success coming from dozens and dozens of warm cookies.

Now, I understand that not everyone is as lucky as I am. For those of you with less time on your hands, here are 3 different Christmas treats you can make from the same dough.

Wonder Dough

1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup butter
1 tablespoon milk
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 egg yolk

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and cream cheese together. In a separate bowl, mix milk, sugar, and egg yolk. Blend milk mixture into butter mixture. Sift flour and baking powder together. Gradually, blend dry ingredients into wet ingredients. This will make a firm dough. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.

Apple Cookies
Makes about 15.

1/3 Wonder Dough
1 medium apple -- finely chopped
sugar
cinnamon

On a board lightly coated with flour and powdered sugar, roll out dough until about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 2 to 2 1/2 inch circles. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Using backs of fingers, make indentations in the center of each circle. Spoon apples into indentation. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 12 minutes. Remove from baking sheet and cool on newspapers.

Date Roll-ups
Makes 24.

1/3 Wonder Dough
24 dates -- whole and pitted
powdered sugar

On a board lightly floured with flour and powdered sugar, roll out until about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into strips 3/4 inch wide. Place a date at the bottom of a strip, roll, and cut the strip. Allow about 1/4 inch overlap of dough. Pinch overlap together. Take next date and repeat process. Place (pinched side down) on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Remove from baking sheet and cool on newspapers. Dust with powdered sugar.

Pecan/Cream Cheese Cookies
Makes about 12.

1/3 Wonder Dough
2 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup pecans -- finely chopped
4 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon brandy

Mix cream cheese, pecans, sugar, and brandy.

On a board lightly coated with flour and powdered sugar, roll out dough until 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 3 inch circles. Gently press into the bottom of the wells of an ungreased cupcake pan. Spoon a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture into the bottom of each well. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in pan, then remove to newspaper to finish cooling.