TWD/BWJ: Gingersnaps

I baked these. Didn't post. Whip me with a wet noodle.

I love making cut-out cookies.

And I especially love the set of alphabet cookie cutters I found

once upon a time at some yard sale or thrift store.

What's more fun that making cookies that SAY SOMETHING?!?

A few notes to myself for the next time:

1) Don't be afraid to add more of the spices

2) Bake longer than the recipe says. Wait til they've started

to fall a little bit in the oven. Then they'll be nice and crunchy.

Tough, chewy gingersnaps aren't that good. 

But the ones I accidentally left in the oven "too long" were great!

3) The milk and eggnog in glass bottles is worth the splurge.

4) Making Starlight Mint Surprise cookies on the same day

as any other cookie puts the other cookie at a disadvantage.

Just sayin'...

For anyone outside the family who may read this one day, Starlight Mint Surprise cookies are THE Christmas cookie of our childhood. We used to be able to buy these mint-flavored chocolate disks called "starlight mints" but now we have to make our own. The chocolates are covered with a brown sugar dough and topped with a nut. Part of the experience is licking the beaters and mixing bowl. Worth the egg risk once a year. It's simply not Christmas to me until I've had my first Starlight Mint Surprise cookies. I remember making them with my mother, and the tradition continues with my own kids. It's labor-intensive. A good time to sit and chat. One day I'll post that recipe, but for now, the poor Gingersnaps didn't have much of a chance.

The other Tuesday With Dorie Gingersnap bakers are here. The recipe is in the book we're baking through, Baking With Julia. As in Julia, you know, THE Julia. Just thought I'd mention it since I haven't covered the details in awhile.

Now a shoe. Was in McDonough for a funeral (the day after cookie baking) when I spied this one. Looks like it might be a soccer cleat.