Today's Kitchen Tip: Last minute cookie baking tips

Christmas is almost here and you just realized you haven't even started doing any holiday baking.  There are some simple ways to get plenty of items done in a very short time.

First, you may want to prepare a basic sugar cookie recipe, then turn the dough into different types of cookies.  For example, you can make a plain sugar cookie.  Then you can take some of the dough, add some coloring and flavoring and make a different cookie.  You can roll the dough up into a pinwheel, using your favorite filling....all with the same dough.

I love to take shortbread dough and make shortbreads as well as use it for a delicious crust that can be filled.

If you love chocolate coated pretzels, dipping them individually can be time consuming.  You can take the square pretzels, put on a Hershey's kiss, pop it in a 250 degree F oven for about 3-4 minutes, then lightly press on an M&M.  They taste delicious and you can whip them out a lot quicker than hand dipping each pretzel.

The one thing you want to do is have fun while you are making your desserts.  If it isn't fun, then it just isn't worth making.