Holiday Heaven and Colorful Chewy Sugar Cookies

With a few inches of freshly fallen snow, the kids had just put in a good hour and a half of sledding before getting to Debbie’s house for some Gingerbread and cookie decorating fun. Debbie, Jackie and I got to work immediately making various holiday cookies to give as gifts to teachers and neighbors in the upcoming week, while our kids diligently decorated their Gingerbread houses. We were a Norman Rockwell image of holiday fun, leisurely and tranquilly enjoying our holiday while the outside world bustled with the frenzy of holiday shoppers. The only thing missing from this perfect holiday gathering were some Christmas tunes playing in the background. (Where were those anyway Debbie?)

The sweet aroma of sugar and butter filled Debbie’s house as kids chattered and chuckled and we gabbed and giggled. It was a delightful few hours spent with friends and epitomized the true meaning of the holidays. As our various cookies came out of the oven, our tasters were eagerly waiting to fill their bellies with all kinds of yum. My cookies, which you can see in the photo, were a chewy and colorful sugar cookie, filled and topped with holiday jimmies. I developed this recipe for a young but special friend who wanted me to recreate his favorite store bought cookie. He said I hit the nail head on.

Debbie who apparently dislikes jimmies to her core (something I just learned after 15 years of friendship), would not and could not like my cookies. She has this phobia about those little candied colored sprinkle things I call jimmies. But the rest of the gang — including her husband Judd — ate plenty of them saying they were the best. Even Owen, Jackie’s youngest, liked them so much he placed two atop his Gingerbread house after eating about four of them. So, judge for yourself but stay away from my recipe if you have a strong aversion to jimmies like my dear friend Debbie. I hope you enjoy the holidays and make time to bake with your friends and family. It surely fills your home with the pleasant aroma of sugary heaven, but is guaranteed to fill your soul with something much more satisfying.

Colorful and Chewy Sugar Cookies
Makes 3 dozen cookies

2 sticks salted butter softened
1 cup white sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
3 cups white flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon corn starch
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup rainbow sprinkles, plus more for top of the cookie

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla. Add the flour, baking soda, corn starch and sprinkles. Mix well. Create small balls with the dough and push one side down into sprinkles and then place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes until golden. Remove and cool on a wire rack.