Red Velvet Christmas Cookies

I have written up a few posts now and  not really gotten around to actually putting them  up, but it is the holiday season I'm told time to be surrounded by good things and people who have loved you and supported you unconditionally through the past year so in the spirit of that I am making an effort! .

This year seems to have flown by .... what did  you do last Christmas.. who did you spend it  with..where were you ? Sometimes it seems like all a blur.

 Do you remember that excitement of rushing over to family and loved ones or waking up early morning to open your presents under a tree covered in tinsel and beautiful lights .

When you want to make Christmas special  you tend to go all out.Last year I made all the traditional stuff breudar , love cake which thanks to a faulty oven  resulted in a not so  great love cake,which was a bit disappointing as I was trying to make the day just perfect it was the first time I had attempted either of them so nevertheless was proud of the fact that I managed to try out my mums recipes at least .Oh and let's not forgot the yummy Christmas cookies with colourful icing and sprinkles who doesn't love being gifted a tin of home made Christmas cookies.

This year I thought that  I might do something a little different . I have been  playing with the idea of red velvet cookies based on a recipe I found on the blog Cooking Classy , they seemed perfectly Christmas like .They didn't turn out exactly as planned humidity and icing sugar not a great combination,but they taste yum and my whole apartment was filled with the most enticing smells of freshly baked cookies Nothing beats walking though the door and being welcomed by that !

Ingredients

Makes about 30

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder*
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 Tbsp milk or buttermilk
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 5 tsp red food coloring
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Directions

• In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt for 30 seconds, set aside. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy. Mix in eggs 1 at a time, blending until combined after each addition. Mix in milk, vanilla bean paste, lemon juice and red food coloring. With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Stir in white chocolate chips. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill 2 hours or until firm enough to shape into balls.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour powdered sugar into a bowl. Remove dough from refrigerator, scoop dough out and with buttered hands, shape into medium balls (about 2 1/2 Tbsp each). Roll cookie dough balls into powdered sugar and evenly coat. Transfer to Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheets and flatten slightly, then bake in preheated oven 13 - 14 minutes. Allow to rest on cookie sheet several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
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