Ugly Sweater Cookies

Every year, Jamie and I have an Ugly Christmas Sweater party. This year, about a week before, a package arrived in the mail from Jamie's aunt Patti - an ugly Christmas sweater cookie kit! It's so adorable. It's really just a sweater-shaped cookie cutter, frosting, and sprinkles, but they were a hit. I had so much fun decorating them and they fit the theme to a t. Everyone gobbled them up.

She got the mix at CVS (I found this expired link googling) so you may be able to still get them! Such a fun alternative to the usual stars, bells, trees, and snowmen - though I do love those, too.

I love Christmastime, and so does Petunia.

Buttered Popcorn Cookies

After a great weekend in East Hampton, we came home early because poor Jamie has a terrible cold. While he was downstairs watching football, I needed some projects to keep me busy. Flipping through various cookbooks for a baking recipe, we settled on Smitten Kitchen's buttered popcorn cookies. They're pretty easy to make, and very tasty. The popcorn lightens up the cookies a lot. These would be perfect for a movie night. I'm going to bring some in to work.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1/4 cup popcorn kernels

1/4 tsp table salt

1 tbsp butter, melted

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350, then make the popcorn. Put oil in the bottom of a large pot and add the kernals. Cover and turn the heat on medium high. Shaking the pot periodically until the popping stops, 5-7 minutes total. Pour in butter and salt, toss, then put in a bowl to cool.