The holiday season brings out the very best in all of us.  Whether it’s local residents volunteering their time and services to their fellow Des Moines residents– or those who brave the holiday shopping madness at local malls to purchase gifts for children in need–the holidays make us want to do more than we normally would.

This adage applies to many of us in the kitchen as well.  I know I’m a little more adventuress in the kitchen during the holiday season.  I like to try out new recipes, especially if they involve holiday desserts.

If your’re trying to be a little more daring in the kitchen, and you just love Christmas cookies, try this awesome sugar cookie recipe from Food and Wine, contributed by Matt Lewis and Renata Poliafito:

Iced Brown Sugar Cookies

Here are the ingredients:

1. 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3. 1/4 teaspoon salt
4. 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
5. 2 tablespoons chilled solid vegetable shortening
6. 1/3 cup granulated sugar
7. 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
8. 1 1/2 teaspoons molasses
9. 1 large egg
10. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

ROYAL ICING

1. 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
2. 2 large egg whites
3. 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
4. Sprinkles

For a detailed look at how to bake these sumptuous treasures of goodness, head to Food and Wine.  Give them a shot and let us know how they turn out.  Happy Holidays!