Rons Holiday Spice Cookies Recipes

RON'S GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE MERINGUE COOKIES

Steps:

• Melt the 12 ounces of bittersweet chocolate pieces in a microwave-safe dish or over a gently simmering double-boiler. Let cool but not harden. Add the vanilla.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line three baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Place the salt and vinegar (or lemon juice) in a clean mixer bowl for a stand mixer. Use a paper towel to wipe off any possible grease. Use the paper towel to wipe the blades of the whisk attachment as well. Do not rinse. This procedure will ensure that the egg whites will whip to their full potential.
• Beat the egg whites on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to high. Slowly add the sugar in a steady stream and continue beating until stiff peaks form, 4 to 5 minutes. (The bowl can be turned upside down without the meringue falling out.) Add a third of the meringue to the melted chocolate and mix well to lighten. Gently but thoroughly fold the melted chocolate into the meringue, and then fold in the remaining two ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate and the walnuts.
• Fill a large resealable plastic bag with the meringue and snip off the bottom corner, or use a pastry bag. Pipe the meringue into 1 1/2-inch rounds 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
• Immediately place in the oven and bake about 10 minutes. The cookies will develop a shiny crust but will still be gooey inside.
• Let rest on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before removing to a rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

RON'S CHEDDAR, CRANBERRY AND PISTACHIO COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine the butter, sugar and cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Do not incorporate too much air by raising the speed. Beat in the egg until incorporated.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and cayenne to combine. Mix in the pistachios and cranberries.
• On low speed, add the flour mixture to the creamed butter-cheese mixture in a few additions, scraping the bowl and beater in between.
• Spread the dough along the edge of a large piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap. Using the edges of the paper or plastic, roll the dough into a log shape about 12 inches long. Twist the ends to close. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour or freeze up to four weeks.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Unwrap the dough log and, using a sharp knife, slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place the rounds on parchment-lined or nonstick baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove to a rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

SPICED HOLIDAY SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Set aside. Beat granulated sugar and butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Refrigerate dough 2 hours or overnight until firm.
• 2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface* to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into shapes with favorite cookie cutters. Place on greased baking sheets.
• 3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
• 4. For the Icing, mix all ingredients except food colors. (Stir in additional milk to thin icing or more confectioners' sugar to thicken, if needed). Place small amount of icing into small shallow bowls, using one bowl for each color desired. Stir drops of food color into icing until desired shade is reached.
• 5. To ice cookies, hold cookie by its edge and dip top of cookie into icing. (Or spoon the icing onto cookie using a teaspoon.) Place iced cookies on wire rack set over foil-covered baking sheet to dry. (The foil-covered baking sheet will catch drips.) To add decorative details to cookies, spoon tinted icing into resealable plastic bag. Snip off a tiny piece of the corner. Squeeze icing through hole in plastic bag to decorate cookies. If desired, Colored Sugar may be sprinkled onto freshly iced cookies.
• For the variations below, omit the cinnamon and the nutmeg. Use the following extract in place of the vanilla extract in the cookies:
• Almond Holiday Sugar Cookies: Use 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Almond Extract.
• Orange Holiday Sugar Cookies: Use 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Orange Extract.
• Lemon Holiday Sugar Cookies: Use 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Lemon Extract.