Christmas without cookies is like Santa without his reindeer, a tree without ornaments,  As an expert in Christmas confection, I give you the Jersey Shore's Top 5 Christmas Cookie Recipes.

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    5

    Anisettes

    Ingredients

    Directions

    1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
    2. In large bowl, mix flour, baking powder and white sugar. Make a well in the center and add oil, milk, 1 tablespoon anise extract, and eggs. Mix together until dough is sticky.
    3. Oil fingers and pinch off dough in 1-inch pieces. Roll into a ball and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet, 1 inch apart, flatten top slightly. Bake for 8 minutes. Dip cookies in Icing while warm.
    4. To Make Icing: Blend in 1 teaspoon anise extract and enough hot water to 1 cup confectioner's sugar to form a smooth icing.
  • Getty Images/iStockphoto
    Getty Images/iStockphoto
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    4

    Pizzelles

     

    Ingredients

    • 4 large eggs
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 3/4 cup butter, melted
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • (optional) 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

    Directions

    1. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, and butter until smooth. Gradually add flour and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips.
    2. Bake in a preheated pizzelle iron according to manufacturer’s directions until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container.

     

  • Getty Images/iStockphoto
    Getty Images/iStockphoto
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    3

    Spritz (Sugar Cookies)

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup butter
    • 1/2 cup shortening
    • 1 cup sugar 1 egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

    Directions

    In a mixing bowl, cream butter, shortening and sugar. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Shape into 1-in. balls. Roll in sugar. Place on greased baking sheet; flatten with a glass. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes.

  • Getty Images/iStockphoto
    Getty Images/iStockphoto
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    2

    Snickerdoodle Cookies

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup shortening
    • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoons white sugar
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

    Directions

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, cream together the shortening and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Stir in the eggs. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until well blended. In a small bowl, stir together the 2 tablespoons of sugar, and the cinnamon. Roll dough into walnut sized balls, then roll the balls in the cinnamon-sugar. Place them onto an unprepared cookie sheet, two inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Edges should be slightly brown. Remove from sheets to cool on wire racks.

  • Paul Velgos, Getty Images
    Paul Velgos, Getty Images
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    1

    Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Call me old fashioned...this is my favorite Christmas cookie.

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup butter
    • 1/2 cup white sugar
    • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 egg 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

    Directions

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla and egg until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter just until moistened. Mix in the oats and chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Drop by tablespoonfuls on to lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges start to brown. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

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