Portland Food Photographer | Christmas Cookies

“Tis the season for red, green and sugar. Baking Christmas cookies is always a fun holiday tradition. I will have to admit I have skipped a few years here and there but I was excited to bake this year. (And I am not a baker!) Stocksy definitely gave me some motivation to bake the cookies now instead of two days before Christmas day. They asked me to do another #FoodieFriday and we thought it would be fun to do a holiday theme. What’s more festive than red cookies? So I dug out a few recipes, turned on Hole Alone and preheated the oven to 350. I enjoyed baking… almost as much as I enjoyed photographing these little treats. But time with my camera usually trumps other activities. I hope you enjoy the photos and the recipes. And I wish you and yours a very merry Christmas! Check out the #FoodieFriday post on Stocksy’s blog this Friday.

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

1 box red velvet cake mix
6 tbs. butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. cornstarch
2 eggs

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. Combine cornstarch and powdered sugar in small bowl

3. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, melted butter and eggs. Mix with a spoon until all dry ingredients are incorporated.

4. Form dough into 1 inch balls and roll in powdered sugar.

5. Place on non-greased baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

6. Bake 9-11 minutes or until set.

Mint Kisses

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup butter
3 egg yolks
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 bag of mint white chocolate kisses (or any flavor of chocolate kisses)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F

2. In a large bowl mix sugar, salt, butter, egg yolks and vanilla on medium speed.

3. Gradually add flour at low speed until dough is thick. Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls.

4. Place on greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.

5. Push index finger into center of each dough ball.

6. Bake for 12 minutes.

7. Place kisses in center of cookies and let cool.

Cherry Shortbread Cookies

1 cup powder sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 tsp. Maraschino cherry juice
1/2 tsp. almond flavor
4 drops red food coloring
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup cherries, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350 F

2. Combine sugar, butter, juice, almond flavor and food coloring

3. Add flour and salt together. Mix into batter.

4. Fold in cherries.

5. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and place on wax paper (or cookie sheets, I didn’t use wax paper).

6. Bake 10-12 minutes.

+ - 7 comments

December 15, 2014 - 8:58 pm

Pech - You always make messiness look so good!I like the contrast between the “serious” darker shots and the ones with the playful feel later!

December 15, 2014 - 11:18 pm

nourished roots - I am definitely feeling the Christmas spirit after seeing these cookies! Beautiful!

December 16, 2014 - 1:06 am

Bea - Gorgeous cookies that will get any grinch into the spirit. I bet they taste even better than they look. Perfection!

December 16, 2014 - 3:15 am

Create/Enjoy - Your photos are tripping me out, they’re so gorgeous. What kind of background is that?! Jeez!

So pretty! My baking is messy like that but it doesn’t look so picturesque! 😉

December 16, 2014 - 3:31 pm

kelsey - not only do these cookies look divine, your photos are absolutely gorgeous!
http://www.ladiesinnavy.com

December 16, 2014 - 11:56 pm

Emma Lincoln - This is so incredibly beautiful. I could just look at your pictures and (almost!) feel like I’m eating a cookie.

December 19, 2014 - 7:29 pm

Bonnie - These photos are beautiful! And props for busting out some awesome cookies for being a non-baker. Happy holidays!