Christmas is the feast commemorating the birth of Christ. It is fixed in the liturgical year as December 25th and is preceded by four week of fasting called Advent.Cookie Ornaments for the Tree
- 1¾ cup hot water
- 1 cup salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
Egg Wash:
- 1 egg, beaten with 3 tbsp. water
Pour the hot water into a bowl with the salt and stir for 1 minute. The salt grains will reduce in size, but they will not completely dissolve. Add the flour and blend until all the water is absorbed. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for a few minutes until it is smooth and pliable. Cover the dough in a plastic bag if you do not plan to use it after the 5 minutes of resting time.
Roll the dough out 3/8 inch thick on a floured surface and cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Place the cookies on a non-stick baking sheet and brush lightly with the egg wash. Bake in a preheated 300ºF oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until golden brown. You can also press the dough into lightly oiled fancy ceramic molds or lightly floured wooden molds and bake as instructed by the manufacturer.
