Let the baking begin

I started my annual Christmas cookie baking after physical therapy this morning. The first batch was chocolate chip cookies with red and green chips (and a few little baking M&Ms tossed in). I use the Baker's chocolate recipe and have been making these cookies probably since I was in junior high school.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. shortening
3/4 c. white sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Chopped walnuts

In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually stir into creamed mixture.
Fold in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake in 350 F. oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until light brown. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

The second batch of cookies is the sugar cookies with red or green sugar on top. It's a recipe my Aunt Lorene had submitted to a church cookbook and I'm pretty sure it's the one my grandma used to bake. She sprinkled hers with little silver dragees which are impossible to find in stores. I found some a few years ago on the Internet and bought a bag, but we use them as the clapper in our bell cut-out cookies, which are B's favorites.

Sugar Cookies

1 c. confectioners' sugar
1 c. granulated sugar
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cream of tartar

Cream sugars with butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Add vanilla. Blend dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture; mix well. Chill dough for easier handling. Roll cookie dough into small balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Grease the bottom of a glass, dip in sugar, and flatten each cookie. Dip glass as needed into sugar. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until slightly golden. Note: These freeze well. Makes about 7 dozen