Simple Stories Baking Spirits Bright Cookbook Cover and Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipe
Hello, Friends! I thought I’d pop in today and share how I put together this Simple Stories Baking Spirits Bright Cookbook Cover. Last year I decided I really needed to update the “made from scratch” cookbook that I’ve been using for the past 30+ years. Many of the pages were falling out, the spine was crumbling and it was just a general mess.
While I was editing the recipes, I decided I wanted to have 2 separate binders: one for my everyday recipes, and one dedicated strictly to my holiday recipes. Christmas baking is a very big deal in our family. When our first son was born, I started a tradition of baking each family member’s favorite cookie at Christmas time. Not a big deal, as our family consisted of just Dale, Peter and myself. But then along came Liz…followed quickly by Kimberly and Andrew and finally Joel. Oh, and my mom moved in with us, too. So that meant 8 different kinds of Christmas cookies each year.
Then, the kids got married, so their spouses had to have their favorites…and then…the grandchildren…so you get the picture. I make about 12 different kinds of Christmas cookies every year. And of course there are the special breads and main dishes and sides that we enjoy at various parties and holiday meals. See why I needed a separate cookbook?
Double Duty Kitchen Decor
The cookbook looks super cute displayed in the vintage hutch that sits in the eating area of our kitchen. The Simple Stories Snap Binder even matches the color of the hutch! When Sophie and I were decorating for Christmas yesterday, she said, “Nan, you really should decorate the cover of this recipe album and put it in the hutch.” So I did.
Because this is a “working” binder, I kept the embellishments a little simpler. No big bows or fancy floral displays on this creation. Just a few stickers from the paper collection, some cute kitchen embellishments and a simple ribbon border dress the cover up nicely.
Here’s a look at the spine.
TIP: Cut chipboard to fit inside the metal label frame. Now you can adhere the cute sticker to the chipboard and dress up the spine.
The ribbon border runs all the way around the base of the album. And I could not resist adding this sticker to the back cover.
Simple Stories Baking Spirits Bright Cookbook Cover Process Video on YouTube
This isn’t really a tutorial, because I don’t really teach you anything. But I do invite you to watch me dress up the cookbook cover. If you’d like to join me, please enjoy this video on my YouTube channel.
My Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipe
Since we’re talking Christmas and cookies and all things yummy, I thought I’d share my favorite Christmas cookie recipe with you.
Gingersnaps: Soft and chewy, old fashioned flavor. I like to double the spices.
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1/4 cup shortening
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup molasses (I like Grandma’s Molasses)
- 2 1/4 cup Unbleached All Purpose Flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- Coarse sugar like turbinado for rolling
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Mix shortening, brown sugar, molasses and egg thoroughly in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients except granulated sugar. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
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Heat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Dip tops in granulated sugar. Place balls, sugared sides up, 3 inches apart on cookie sheet.
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Bake 10 to 12 minutes or just until set but not hard. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
I hope you enjoy! What’s your favorite Christmas cookie?
You can find a linked supply list below this post.
Thanks for stopping by, friends!
Cheerio,
kathy
SUPPLY LIST
- Simple Stories Baking Spirits Bright
- Sticker Sheet seems to be sold out…try using the Brads and Ephemera pack instead
- Snap Studio 6×8 Baking Spirits Bright Dividers
- Simple Stories Snap Binder
- 3/8″ Christmas Ribbon
- Christmas Baker’s Twine
- Cookie Cutter embellishments
- Big Buttons
- Jolee’s Apron Sticker
- Baking embellishments from my stash