Christmas in July: Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Day 6

So you know when the holidays are busy and stressful and you need something that's easy and quick and pretty? Oh and tastes good too?

Well, these are my addiction. They aren't hard at all and they go together quick and the cookies are all done at the same time. You don't have to monitor batch after batch as you put them in the oven. And they add colour to any table, which is always nice to do. You can try them with different jams to make different colours, but I prefer the original raspberry.

If you've never had these, you MUST MAKE THEM!

That's pretty much an order.

Raspberry Ribbons
Originally from a Taste of Home cookbook
Here's what you'll need:

• 1 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup raspberry jam
• GLAZE:
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons evaporated milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  
• In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
• 
  
• Divide dough into four portions; shape each into a 10-in. x 2-1/2-in. log. Place 4 in. apart on greased or foil-lined baking sheets. Make a 1/2-in. depression down the center of each log (I use the handle of my wooden spoon). Bake at 350ºF for 10 minutes.
• 
  
• Fill depressions with jam. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes. Remove to a cutting board (we have a giant BBQ lifter that I use to transfer them, but if you don't have that you could use two lifters if you fear they will break); cut into 3/4-in. slices (I generally do them about the width of my finger). Place on wire racks.
• 
  
• In a small bowl, combine glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over warm cookies. cool completely.

PLEASE try these as they are SO yummy. But please don't blame me for the 5 pounds you gain. *wink*