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christmas wishing cookies

(7 ratings)
Joannebl avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Joanne Bellezza-Loughlin
@Joannebl
Bridgewater, NJ

There were Christmases when I just didn't have the time to bake loads of cookies. But even during those "slim cookie" years, I always made these. I have been making these with and for my boys since they were little (so a long time.) They are a Swedish spice cookie with a tradition. Place the cookie in the palm of your left hand and press down on it with the thumb of your right hand. If the cookie breaks into 3 pieces and you can eat all three pieces without saying a word, you get to make a wish. Of course, we typically cut them into stars but sometimes I also make little gingerbread men.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Slightly crisp and full of Christmas spices, this is a delicious Christmas cookie. The blend of spices and molasses made them similar to a gingerbread cookie. We love the tradition of breaking the cookie and making a wish. A yummy and easy cookie for your holiday dessert table, cookie exchange, or even for gift giving.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(7 ratings)
yield serving(s)
prep time 2 Hr 30 Min
cook time 8 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For christmas wishing cookies

  • 3 1/4 c
    all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp
    baking soda
  • 1 tsp
    ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp
    ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp
    ground nutmeg
  • 1 c
    butter
  • 1 1/2 c
    sugar
  • 1
    egg
  • 2 Tbsp
    molasses
  • 1 Tbsp
    water
  • 1/2 tsp
    finely shredded orange or lemon peel (i usually omit this)
  • LACE ICING
  • 2 c
    confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 tsp
    vanilla
  • 2 Tbsp
    milk

How To Make christmas wishing cookies

Test Kitchen Tips
The recipe states this makes 100 cookies, but that will vary depending on the size of your star cookie cutter. We were able to make 50 cookies.
  • Sifting flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
    1
    Stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
  • Beating butter and sugar until fluffy.
    2
    In a large mixer bowl beat butter till softened. Add sugar and beat till fluffy.
  • Egg, molasses, water, and peel added to butter.
    3
    Add egg, molasses, water, and peel; beat well.
  • Gradually adding flour to butter and sugar.
    4
    Gradually add flour mixture, beating till well mixed.
  • Dough in a bowl covered with plastic wrap.
    5
    Cover and chill 2 hours or till easy to handle.
  • Dough rolled and cut into stars.
    6
    On a floured surface roll dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut with star cookie cutters.
  • Cut cookies on a baking sheet.
    7
    Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in 375 degree oven for about 8 minutes. Remove and cool. Makes about 100 cookies.
  • Icing piped over baked cookies.
    8
    Pipe on the icing. I put the icing in a plastic storage bag and cut off a small bit of the corner. This works well.
  • Christmas Wishing Cookies broken into 3 pieces.
    9
    Hint: When I take the dough out of the fridge, I cut it into 4 pieces and work with one piece at a time while keeping the rest in the fridge. It's hard to work with at first but becomes softer as you begin to roll it out. You don't want it too soft because then it becomes too hard to lift to the cookie sheet.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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