Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies

                                                                      

                                                                           

Ingredients:

• All purpose flour - 4 cups
• Unsalted Butter - 1 cups
• Sugar - 2 cups
• Baking soda - 1 tsp
• Baking powder - 1 tsp
• Vanilla Extract - 1 tsp
• Egg - 2
• Salt - 1/2 tsp

                                                                   

                                                                     

 Method:

==> In a bowl combine the flour, salt , baking soda and baking powder.

                                                          

==> In another bowl whisk together the butter, sugar and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. And add in the eggs and beating well.

==> Finally add in the flour mixture and mix it well to form a smooth dough. Then wrap in plastic wrap or ziplock cover and refrigerate the dough for about an hour.

==> Preheat oven to 350 degree F for 5 minutes. Then unwrap the dough and roll on the floured surface till 1/4 inch thick cut the dough with cookie cutters. Place it on the parchment paper lined baking sheet.

==> Bake the cookies cutouts in a 350 degree F 9 to 12 minutes or until lightly golden brown around the edges and allow them to cool completely.                                      

 Notes:
* The dough can be refrigerated overnight, however when you remove it from the fridge, you will likely need to let it rest room temperature for some time before it's soft enough the roll.

                             

Christmas Fruit Cake

Christmas Fruit Cake

   Ingredients:

·                   All purpose flour (Maida)- 1 1/2 cup

·                  Sugar -1/3 cup

·                  Butter – ¼ cup

·                   Baking powder – 1 tsp

·                   Vanilla extract – 1 tsp

·                   Cinnamom powder – 1 tsp

·                   Nutmeg powder – ½ tsp

·                  Grated orange & lemon peel – 1 tsp

·                  Egg – 2

·                   Honey – 3 tbsp

·                  Water  - 1 cup

·                  Dry fruits & Nuts :

        1.      Golden raisins – 25 gms                                                                   

         2.      Black raisins – 25 gms

         3.      Apricots  - 25 gms

         4.      Cranberries – 25 gms

         5.      Dates – 25 gms

         6.      Almonds – 25 gms

         7.      Pista – 25 gms

         8.      Walnut – 25 gms

                                                                 

Method:

==> Take pan add dry fruits, sugar, butter, honey and water boil in medium flame for 5 to 10 minutes. once the fruit come out soft and cooked. Then switch off the flame and set aside until it cool down.

==> Take another bowl beaten a egg keep aside. And take another bowl mix the flour and baking powder and keep aside.

==> Now take fruit mixture , add grated orange and lemon peel, vanilla extract, beaten eggs and mix it well.

==> Now slowly add flour mixture and mix it well. Preheat 350 degree F( 180 degree C) for 30 minutes. 

==> Place the batter to the already prepared pan and spread it. Now bake it for another 45 - 60 minutes or until a long skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

==> After that remove the cake from oven and place on the wire rack and let it cool completely for an hour. Cool it completely overnight for atleast 5- 6 hours before cutting the cake.

Notes :

* I used unsalted butter in this recipe. so i added salt in this recipe. If you use salted butter avoid salt otherwise it is not necessary.

* You can add dry fruits for your choice to the cake.

* I have used white sugar. But if you want half the amount brown sugar. It will be come dark brown color cake.