Middle Sister Wines: 14 sassy wines including Pinot Grigio, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Moscato

Christmas Cookies are great because you can enjoy them throughout the entire month of December. They put you in the holiday spirit and they're a fun way to celebrate with friends and family! They also make great, inexpensive gifts! Here are some of our favorite family cookie recipes - and don't forget to put them out for Santa!

"Forgotten" Cookies

Ever forget something in the oven, only to find out it is ruined once you remember it's in there (or smell smoke)?Theh these meringue cookies are for you! Here's the trick: Make them at the end of the day, after a long day of cooking when the oven is already hot. Turn it off and leave them over night. In the morning, they'll be perfect!

Ingredients:

• 3 egg whites (room temperature)
• 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¾ cup sugar
• Chopped nuts or chocolate chips (optional)

Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, salt and vanilla together until fairly still. Gradually beat in sugar. Fold in chopped nuts or chocolate chips, if desired. Drop by teaspoon on ungreased cookie sheet (or use a pastry bag). Put in a 350 degree oven. Close the door and turn off the heat. Leave all night!

Bourbon Balls

Who doesn't love a little booze in their dessert? These fudgy balls taste perfect with after-dinner coffee - and they've got a little kick! Maybe keep them away from the kids, though.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate bits
• ½ cup sugar
• 3 tbsp corn syrup
• ½ cup bourbon
• 2 ½ cup vanilla wafer crumbs (11 oz box)
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts

Melt chocolate in microwave. Stir in sugar and corn syrup. Blend in bourbon. Combine wafer crumbs and walnuts in a bowl. Add to chocolate mixture. Form into balls and roll in confectioner’s sugar. Let ripen 3-4 days.

Butterscotch Drops

If you love making rice krispie treats with the kids, then these are the cookies for you! These cookies require no oven, and can also be made with peanut butter chips instead of butterscotch, or chocolate chips for the chocoholic in your life.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. butterscotch chips
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 3 cups corn flakes

In a large saucepan, melt the chips and peanut butter over low heat until smooth. Add cornflakes and mix well. Drop onto wax paper and chill until set. 

Thumbprint Cookies

These little chocolate cookies are so delicious and so fun to make! Get creative with icing colors and sprinkle with tasty decorations or Hershey's kisses for some personalized cookie fun.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 2/3 Hershey’s Cocoa
• ½ tsp salt
• Red and Green frosting
• Mini Chocolate bits

Cream butter, sugar, egg yolks, milk and vanilla until fluffy. Combine flour, cocoa and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Refrigerate dough about 2 hours. Shape dough into 1 1/8” balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on cookie sheet. Press thumb in center of each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until set. Cool on rack. Put dollop of frosting in each and place 3 mini chips on top.

Chocolate Crowned Acorn Cookies

Rebel Red's personal favorite! These almond flavored cookies take a little more work, but they are oh-so worth it. And they are so unique, you're sure to get some "oohs" and "aahs" at your holiday gathering.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 or more tsp almond extract
• 2 ½ cups flour
• Green food coloring
• 5 oz. semi-sweet chocolate bits, melted

Cream butter and sugar. Stir in egg yolks and then almond extract. Add flour, stirring until everything is blended. Add green food coloring. Pinch off small balls of dough. Roll between palms into acorn shapes. Bake at 350 degrees on ungreased cookie sheet for about 10 minutes, until shininess disappears. Let cool. Then, dip wide end of cookie in melted chocolate. Dry on wax paper. 

Easy Fudge

You thought fudge was one of those elusive, tricky things that only chocolatiers can really pull off. Think again! Once you've mastered this recipe (which will really only take one try), mix it up by adding mint extract or peanut butter chips!

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate bits
• 2- 1 oz. squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• Dash of salt
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla

Microwave chocolates and milk until melted. Stir in salt and vanilla. Spread evenly on wax paper lined 8” square pan. Bring to room temperature. Refrigerate until firm about 2 hours. Cut into squares. 

Grandma's Shortbread

For those who like their after-dinner treats a little less sweet, try this tasty recipe for shortbread! They are delicious and simple, and taste excellent paired with coffee (or wine, of course).

Ingredients:

• 1 lb butter (room temperature)
• 4 cups flour, sifted with
• 1 ½ tsp mace
• 1 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar

Mix butter and sugar thoroughly with hands. Knead in flour gradually. Pat and press out on baking sheet to 1/2” thickness. Cut through with knife, making small diamond shapes. Prick each piece with a fork. Bake in 300-degree oven about 40 minutes until light brown. Cool and dust with powdered sugar, if desired.