Holiday baking made easy with Florence Jackson’s festive cookie recipes

Houston – Get ready to add some festive cheer to your kitchen with Florence Jackson’s delicious holiday cookie recipes.

From spicy, chocolate-dipped Mexican hot chocolate crinkles to classic frosted sugar cookies, these treats are perfect for sharing and decorating with family and friends.

Mexican hot chocolate crinkles

• Two-thirds cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• One-quarter cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Two and one-half cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Half teaspoon ginger
• Half teaspoon ancho or chili powder (optional)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two large baking sheets.
2. Whisk butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add molasses, egg and vanilla; mix well.
3. Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and chili powder.
4. Scoop 1-tablespoon balls of dough, roll in sugar and place on baking sheets.
5. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool.
6. Once cool, heat the chocolate. Melt chocolate using a microwave in short fifteen-second bursts or over simmering water.
7. Dunk half of each cookie into melted chocolate, place on a wire rack and let set before serving.

Frosted sugar cookies

• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 and one-quarter cups sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• Half teaspoon baking powder

For the frosting:

• 1 stick butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk

Directions:

1. Using a mixer, combine butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix again.
2. Add flour and baking powder; mix until combined (dough will be stiff and sticky).
3. Cut two sheets of baking paper to fit your baking tray. Place dough between sheets and roll to one-quarter inch thickness.
4. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, then cool completely.
7. For frosting, whisk butter, powdered sugar and cream until smooth. Spread over cooled cookies.

See Jackson bring in some festive baking fun live on Houston Life at 1 p.m. on KPRC 2 or on the video stream at the top of this article!

For more Jackson’s baking ideas, visit tasting-thyme.com or follow her on Instagram.