Christmas Cookie Traditions

It wouldn't be Christmas without these cookie staples in our homes. Both recipes are from our grandmother's kitchen and both are still made each year in our own. We hope you enjoy these delicious traditions as much as we do!

Walnut Sandies or "Traditional Mexican Wedding Cookies"

"I love this recipe because it reminds me of my grandma smiling and laughing in the kitchen, her apron covered in powered sugar. I remember her teaching me how to make these and seeing firsthand the amount of LOVE she put into these. I remember her telling me the stories of her mother and her grandmother in the kitchen and their love for their families that was seen in their cooking. These cookies are buttery and nutty and perfect to make with a loved one while sharing old stories and making new memories together!" - Matt

• 1 1/4 cups softened butter

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract

• 2 1⁄4 cups sifted flour

• 1⁄4 tsp salt

• 3⁄4cup chopped walnuts (powdered in powder sugar)

• powdered sugar (for rolling baked cookies in)

1. Cream together butter and powdered sugar until fluffy; stir in vanilla and almond extract.

2. Add flour and salt to butter mixture; and then stir in chopped nuts.

3. Form dough into 1 1/4" balls and place onto parchment-lined or ungreased baking sheets.

4. Bake at 400° for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should start to turn light golden-brown; remove from oven and allow to cool slightly; while cookies are still warm (but NOT hot) remove them from baking sheets and roll a few in powdered sugar until they are coated; cool cookies and enjoy!

Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies or "Pink Cookies"

"My siblings and I always looked forward to receiving a big batch of grandma's cream cheese cookies each Christmas. She would add a bit of red food coloring to the dough which ended up being more of a pink color and that's why these came to be known as the 'pink cookies'. A very fitting cookie for someone whose favorite color was pink! Soft and tangy, these are great to make with kids because of the cookie press and the endless toppings you can add to them!" - Brittany

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 egg yolk

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla or almond extract (I prefer almond)

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• Cookie Press

• Optional: Food Coloring of your choice

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer and cream together butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light in color and fluffy.

2. Add egg yolk, and extract Beat until combined.

3. Add flour, cream of tartar and salt. Stir until combined.

4. Add in optional food coloring (a few drops will do it!) Knead in the coloring into the dough. (I like to add in a bit more flour and use a wood spatula to do this part so it's not so sticky!)

5. Using a cookie press, add dough into the press and press out onto (unlined - no parchment) baking sheets about an inch apart from each other.

6. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack. Makes 5 dozen.

7. Optional: Add sprinkles to the top of the cookies as soon as you pull them out from the oven. Or dip them into white or dark chocolate after they've cooled!