Garden Studio: The Christmas Countdown.......Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from my family to yours!

Eric and Chris

Henry(13)

J.P.(11)

Shane(5)

Here is our Christmas countdown.....

Christmas lights on house...check

Decorate front entry...check

Carry in Christmas Tree...check

Carry in kids' Christmas Tree...check

Decorate Christmas Tree...check

Watch school Holiday Performance...check

Decorate mantle with Nutcracker Collection...check

Make Christmas Cookies for friends and neighbors...check

Yum...the boys' favorite Holiday Treat...

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

(This is a cookie my grandmother made at Christmas)

8 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup Hershey's cocoa powder

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup milk

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt chocolate in a heat proof bowl over a pan of simmering water stirring. Set aside, and let cool. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl: set aside.

2. Mix butter and brown sugar on medium until fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Mix in eggs and vanilla, and then the melted chocolate. Reduce speed to low and mix in flour mixture along with milk. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.

3. Roll dough into 1" balls and roll in granulated sugar and then powered sugar. Space 2 inches apart on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

4. Bake for 14 minutes. Let cool. Cookies can be stored in air tight containers for up to 3 days.

makes 5 dozen

(Developed from Martha Stewart's Cookie Cookbook)