Holidazzle 2012

The 2012 Holidazzle is in the works and I couldn’t be more excited to spend the night with my running and triathlon friends prancing through Queen Anne, dressing up in festive outfits, singing some Christmas carols, and completing my go to 5-ish mile neighborhood run route. You can read more about how I dreamed up this event here and our 2011 run here. Like many holiday workouts, the Holidazzle run has become one of my favorite holiday traditions. I wanted to share with you some of the cookie recipes that I bake in anticipation of the big event and also list the Christmas songs that made the 2012 CD.

From top left clockwise: Jimmy's cookies frosted for Christmas,
2011 holidazzle group shot, 2011 carols,
Queen Anne Christmas lights, Macaroons and PB kisses

Holidazzle 2012 CD:
All Alone OnChristmas – Darlene Love & The E Street Band
Sleigh Ride – She & Him
Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night) – Whitney Houston (thought a Whitney tribute was appropriate)
White Christmas – Michael Buble & Shania Twain
Someday at Christmas – Jack Johnson
Christmas is All Around – Billy Mack from Love Actually
Do You Hear What I Hear? – Anthem Lights
Please Come Home for Christmas – My Morning Jacket
The First Noel – David Archuleta
Christmas Without You – OneRepublic
I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas – Bon Jovi
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – Jars of Clay
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Schuyler Fisk
Holly, Ivy, and Rose – Tori Amos
Silver Bells – Martina McBride
Please Come Home for Christmas – Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
Joy To The World – Brian Wilson
Wonderful Christmastime – The Shins
When the Bells Start Ringing – My Morning Jacket (featuring The Head & the Heart)
O Christmas Tree – Glee Case
Silent Night – the Biebs (yep, this happened)
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? – The Head & the Heart (probably my favorite song on the mix)
Auld Lang Syne – Straight No Chaser (because every Christmas CD needs a men’s a cappella tune)

 

Christmas cookies:

Butter cookies with cream cheese frosting – aka Jimmy’s Pink cookies from my favorite recipe book (recipe below)
Macaroons
Cocoa-Peppermint Patties
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Monster Cookies
Peanut Butter Kisses
Russian teacakes

Mint Forgotten cookies
Brandied Cranberry, White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

I will also make chili, some salads, and complete the spread with cocktails, cheese, crackers, humus, and some other fatty delights.

Jimmy's Pink Cookies
For the cookies:
3 sticks of butter, unsalted at room temp (3 - I know!)
1 c. powdered sugar
3 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
1 t. vanilla extract

Combine butter and powder sugar. Mix on low speed increasing to medium, until light and fluffy. In medium bowl, combine flour and salt and mix well. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating until flour is absorbed. Add the vanilla and beat well to incorporate. Lay a sheet of waxed paper on large clean surface, and turn dough out onto it. Press into a thick disk, wrap well, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. On a clean floured surface, roll the dough into a thickness of 3/8 inch (or any good cookie thickness). Using a cookie cutter, cut dough into whatever shape you like. I use Christmas shapes in December, hearts in February, and circles any other time of the year. Place the cookies onto baking sheets and bake for 16-20 minutes, or until the are pale golden at the edge. Do not allow to brown. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

For the frosting (makes way more frosting than you actually need):
8 oz. cream cheese at room temp
6 T unsalted butter, at room temp
3 c. powdered sugar
1 1/4 kirsch (I used peppermint extract, because I prefer mint over cherry flavor)
Food coloring

Combine cream cheese and butter and beat on medium until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat on low to fully incorporate, then raise to medium until there are no lumps. Add kirsch (or peppermint) and beat well. I separate into bowls and use different food coloring depending on the season. Adjust coloring and extract to your liking. Generously spread onto the fully cooled cookies.

Stored in an airtight container, cookies will keep in refrigerator for up to 3 days - and they're delicious cold - or you can freeze them indefinitely.

I hope you all have a wonderful Winter Solstice and a very Happy Holiday!

Best of the Season,
Cathleen