12 Days of Christmas Day 8~ Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

Christmas cookies is what it is all about!  So how did the tradition of cookies get associated with Christmas in the first place?

It is probably no surprise to most of you that the tradition of cookies at Christmas is tied up with a winter solstice gathering to celebrate the changing of the seasons.  Since the cold had settled in, meat could be butchered and stored, the beers and ales were ready for drinking and to cut through all this savoriness, a dessert, one that could be made and stored ahead of time.  The cookie!

According to history.com, the Middle Ages had completely transitioned from winter solstice rituals to Christmas ones.  With the discovery of spices like cinnamon and nutmeg the pastry world was experiencing some dramatic changes. Sugar, lard and butter were expensive ingredients and were used by cooks during the special season.  Cookies were easily shared and given to neighbors and friends.

And did you know, the first gingerbread men were ordered by Queen Elizabeth I in the shape of her courtiers!  

Welcome to the third annual 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!

Stop by every day from December first through the twelfth for new ideas you can use to make your season brighter!

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They have all been busy as Elves creating, decorating, cooking and crafting tons of new ideas for you to try this holiday season!

Shirley~Intelligent Domestications I Alli~An Alli Event I Michelle~Our Crafty Mom I Marie~DIY Adulation 

Erlene~My Pinterventures I Beverly~Across The Blvd. I Debra~Shoppe No. 5 I Victoria~Dazzle While Frazzled

Megan~C'mon Get Crafty I Michelle~Michelle James Designs I Amanda~Domestically Creative

Deborah~Salvage Sister & Mister I Jeanie~Create & Babble I Sherry~Olives & Okra

Jenny~Cookies Coffee & Crafts I Emily~Domestic Deadline I Bonbon~Farmhouse 40 I Susanne~Pearl Street Designs 

Leanna~Of Faeries & Fauna I Pam Larmore~P.S. I Love You Crafts I Kelly~North Country Nest I Marie~The Inspiration Vault

Gail~Purple Hues and Me I Lynne~My Family Thyme I Karen~Dragonfly and Lily Pads I Trisha~Blowing Away Out West

Tomika~Life In Pumps I Rachee~Say it, "Rah-Shay" I Ra'Nesha~Queen Thrifty I Lorrin~Embrace The Perfect Mess 

Jaime~Love Jaime I Serena~The Weekend Jaunts I Terri~Christmas Tree Lane I Jessica~A Southern Mother 

Sam~Raggedy Bits I Rachel~Smart Mom Smart Ideas I Surya~The Busy Mom Club  I Cyn~Creative Cynchronicity

Valeria~Val Event Gal I Yami~The Latino Next Door I Jeannee~Centsably Creative I Tania~Little Vintage Cottage

 Lauren~Wonderfully Made I Vanessa~DIY 180 I Kimberly~A Wonderful Thought I Kim~Everyday Parties I Erica~Erica Ever After

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Cookies have come a long way since those times.  The ingredients in this cookie are relatively easy to find and can be purchased inexpensively.  They are made without flour to satisfy our modern need to be gluten free.  My family really enjoyed these cookies, and I hope you do, too!

Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c peanut butter
3/4 c sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1/4 t salt
6 oz chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  Place a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet.  Beat peanut butter and sugar together until well blended.  Add egg, vanilla and salt and beat until well incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Place one rounded tablespoonful on the cookie sheet, leaving about 2" around the cookie.  Bake 12 minutes, or until cookie has flattened and the edges are brown. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes before removing. Finish cooling on a cookie rack.

Makes 2 dz.

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Be sure to visit our fellow 12 Days of Christmas Bloggers below for even more creative ideas this holiday season!