Fuel for Santa ~ Cinnamon & Almond Swirl Cookies

In the realms of spices and Christmas, there is 2 particular ones ‘halllaaa[ing]’ my name.

Ginger (dahhh) and the well beloved Cinnamon (capital letter intended)

Cinnamon and I go wayyy back, to the days where we chilled with apple, on pancakes, and onto every food that it sung harmonies with.
That’s right, as I’m sure you all know, cinnamon is a real friendly fella.

One friend that cinnamon particularly adored, was the scroll. And how that love blossomed.

But this time, cinnamon is taking a similar but different path. One that sits right under the chimney, sitting ready for Santa, and waiting to be washed down with a glass of milk.

You got it my friends! I’m talking of the marriage of non-other than the humble and Christmas perfect: Cinnamon Swirl Cookies.

Ahhh happy happy days.

Let’s fill Santa’s tummy (but, mostly our own…)
Makes around 25

Ingredients:

      Dough:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
  
  Filling:
  
• 70g butter
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, chopped finer
• 1/4 cup coconut chips

Method:

1. Beat the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy
2. Beat in egg, vanilla and milk
3. Stir in the sifted flour, salt and baking powder until well-combined
4. Roll dough into a ball and wrap tightly in cling wrap and refridgerate for at least 2 hours
5. Once dough is chilled, remove from the fridge to come to room temperature, preheat the oven to 180C and prepare the filling:
6. Melt the butter and combine with the brown sugar and cinnamon
7. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 1/8 inch thick
8. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over dough
9. Sprinkle over the slivered almonds
10. Carefully roll dough tightly from one long end to the other
11. Slice the roll into cookies around a 1/4 inch thick, lay on a baking tray, then sprinkle lightly with coconut chips
12. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden

Done and done friends!

WARNING: it is hard to stop eating the cookie dough – make sure there is enough for biscuits

Actually… forget Santa this once…. these goodies are alll for me
Enjoy!

And thanks for stopping by!