our christmas cookies {they're almost all from a bag}

christmas in our home always means lots of sweets.
and, i've always loved to bake so it's something i really look forward to.
our kids seem to love it too.
and, i work really hard to include them in this messy, sugar-high, adventure!

i simply adore this picture of darling g.
i love her fingers.
i love her open mouth {concentrating on cutter placement}.
i love her dainty other hand.

{moments like these make all the effort {and patience}
to make cut-out cookies- with three little ones to include- worth it!}



to increase my patience,
and decrease frustration,
and therefore increase children's happiness & the happiness of our home-
almost all our cookies started from bag mixes, this year.

we've added a little of our own twists to spice them up...
but this year- i've decided i'm okay with added preservatives-
if it means added smiles while we're making them.

we made the classic, peanut butter with chocolate.
peanut butter bag mix + left over halloween candy bars.
we used all the flavors we could find.
{the mr. goodbar's are especially good with the cookie}


we also made the molasses cookies-
and added our own {homemade} cream cheese icing + sprinkles.


one i did have to put a little effort into-
are mr.m's requested christmas dessert...
cherry mash.

they were divine.

and somehow the entire 9x13 pan is already empty.

and because i love him.......a lot....
and because they are that good....
batch number 2 is in the works tomorrow.

i used this recipe.


from our house to yours...
happy, happy, cookie making. {and if it comes from a bag- even happier- cookie making- to you!}