New Zealand Holly Cookies

Debbie Smith's Note:

Almost too pretty a cookie to eat, but they taste so good! I actually won first prize for these cookies when I was a girlscout at age 13. Although I am unsure of the origin of the recipe, I thought it was too good to keep to myself. If you're creative and are up for a challenge, this is a perfect recipe for you. (requires a clean small paintbrush)

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 15

For Cookies

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• 2⁄3; cup raspberry jam
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ cup butter or ½ cup margarine
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 large egg , beaten

For Decoration

• 2 -3 teaspoons milk
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• red cinnamon candies
• green food coloring

Directions:

1. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt.
2. Cut in margarine (like pie dough).
3. Make a well in the center of the dough.
4. Combine egg and 1/4 cup milk and pour them into the well.
5. Stir dough until moist.
6. Flour a flat surface and roll dough out to 1/8" thick.
7. Cut into 2" circles.
8. Bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
9. Place on a rack to cool.
10. Once cooled, place 1/2 tsp jam on the bottom of one cookie.
11. Cover the jam with another cookie, ie cookie- jam- cookie.
12. In a small bowl stir together powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk to make a glaze.
13. Glaze the top of one side of each double cookie and place 2-3 cinnamon candies into the glaze.
14. The candies are to be the holly berries.
15. Allow glaze to set.
16. Use a small clean paintbrush to paint several holly leaves and a stem on each cookie using green food coloring.

Reviews

[MaryW 4361226]

While making these today, I refreshed my memory as to how many years I've been making these cookies. My recipe is the orignal page that I pulled from Better Homes and Gardens magazine, dated December 1985. They were the $1000 grand prize winner submitted by Kate Beckman from Chino, CA. I'll never forget stepping back from the finished product the first time I made them...those with me and I were in awe....make them just one time and they'll become a tradition in your family too.

[Chef #1083671]

I found this recipe in Better Homes and Gardens in the early 80s I think. It was part of a contest. I've made them every Christmas and they always sell out at the cookie walk.

[Divinemom5]

Thank you so much for posting this recipe! I made them years ago and then lost the recipe and have searched over and over for it. These are so delicious and so Christmasy. I was thrilled to be able to make them again for my family and they will be a tradition from now on!