In the Kitchen with Audrey: Fruit and Nut Ice Box Cookies #SundaySupper

Full of fruit and nut goodness.

It was birthday week here at Audrey's House. I love that my children, or rather Audrey, manage to turn a single day into a week-long (or more) event. This year her birthday was during the week so she really only had two birthday days. She gets to celebrate at school, with family, and with friends. Her school and family parties were the same day and yesterday was her party with friends. Since her birthday was Monday and her party Saturday it turned into birthday week. She sure enjoyed herself.

At her school the children pick two friends to help them bake a cake and then they have a small celebration at the end of the day. Her sister, father, and I were all invited to attend. They celebrate the number years the child has circled the sun by having her walk around a yellow candle the number of years of her age.

For her family party we had a small dinner with a close family friend, Leah, who has been at every birthday except the first. We had chicken nuggets, tomato soup, raw carrots, and grilled cheese. Audrey received a camera from her parents and My Little Ponies from sister and Leah. Art sets, bird watching, and sleeping bags came from other relatives.

Saturday was the day of her party with friends. I reserved a room at an indoor play center and we served pizza, juice boxes, and cookie cakes. Audrey had so much fun picking out candy from a real old-fashioned candy store downtown for gift bags and playing with her friends.

She and sister had a sleepover at her school the night before the party and pancakes with Santa just before the party. It was an amazing week. And to make it better we started our cookie baking!

We like to participate in cookie exchanges with friends and give the cookies to teachers, neighbors, and other friends. This year we are also going to deliver some to a race finish line. Nothing like a cookie after a long run. Baking is something we have always loved to do as a family. Next week we will start on Papa Mike's famous Spritz Cookies. Audrey starts asking for them as soon as we start our Christmas baking. We decided to take a simple ice box cookie to the race. Here is our favorite:

Fruit & Nut Ice Box Cookies

2 cups dried fruit
2 cups chopped nuts
1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp almond extract
1 egg
1 2/3 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Combine butter and sugar in mixer and beat together. Add egg, almond extract, baking soda and salt, mix until combined. Slowly add flour until all incorporated. Removed bowl from mixer and stir in fruit and nuts. Shape into two logs and wrap in plastic. Chill 3 hours or overnight.

To bake, remove from plastic and cut 1/2 inch thick. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350F for 12-15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

This year I was smart enough to have a treat for the girls to eat after we mixed and placed the logs in the fridge. They really deserve a treat after hard work and these guys aren't ready to eat for way too long.

2011 Christmas Baking.

My camera was at the office during our baking event but Audrey took photos for us. When her stick became full her father moved those photos to his computer. I hope to have them added soon. Who knows, they may be beautiful photos.

Check out what the other #SundaySupper members are baking this week:

The Sunday Supper team has put together their top Holiday Cookie Recipes that will surely be the first to go from the Cookie Exchange swapping table. Let me tell you, this group can bake! Everything they touch just makes me want to dive through my screen and take a big bite. There is something about hosting a Cookie Exchange that is so perfect for the Holiday Season. Although we are hosting a Virtual Cookie Exchange, the Sunday Supper team will gather Around the Family Table on Sunday Night at 7:00 o’clock Eastern Time on Twitter to enjoy a grand selection of cookies.

This Week, Sunday Supper has a special host who knows all about Cookies. Janet Keeler, Food & Travel Editor for the Tampa Bay Times and Author of Cookielicious will be joining us with tips on baking for the Ultimate Cookie Exchange and to answer any of your baking questions. Grab a glass of milk and join us for The Ultimate Cookie Exchange during #SundaySupper this week. We are giving away 5 signed copies of Cookielicious with 150 fabulous recipes to bake and share.

The Sunday Supper Favorite Cookie Exchange Cookies:

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies by Cravings of a Lunatic
#glutenfree Almond Oatmeal Raisin Cookies by Cooking Underwriter
Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies by The Foodie Army Wife
M & M Cookies by Damn Delicious
Snowball Cookies by Small Wallet Big Appetite
Mocha Thumbprint Cookies by The Meltaways
Cardamom-Walnut Cookies by Home Cooking Memories
Polish Chrusciki (Bow Ties) by Comfy Cuisine
Cherry Blossom Cookies by Flour on my Face
Rosettes by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Millionaire’s Shortbread by Gotta Get Baked
Double-the-Mint Chocolate Kiss Cookies by The Weekend Gourmet
Whole Wheat Cereal Cookies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Chocolate Dipped Potato Chip Shortbread Cookies by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Scories De Vulcan | Lava Stones Cookies by The Daily Dish Recipes
Zimtsterne {Cinamon Stars} #Dairyfree by Galactosemia in PDX
S’mores Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Book and Cooks
Chocolate Whoppers by Vintage Kitchen Notes
Ricotta Cookies with White Chocolate Glaze Country Girl in the Village
Turtles by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies! by I Run For Wine
Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee Cookies by The Urban Mrs.
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies by She likes ruffles, he likes truffles
Amaretto Almond Biscotti by Noshing With The Nolands
Mexican Chocolate Cookies by Generation Y Foodie
Double Chocolate Peppermin Biscotti by Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
Ice Cream Kolaczki by Cookistry
Amoniaczki by What Smells So Good?
Fruit and Nut Ice Box Cookies by In the Kitchen with Audrey
Ginger Bourbon Balls by girlichef
Candy Cane Blossom Cookies by Mommas Meals
Double Chocolate Cranberry Cookies by Lovely Pantry
Ninja Bread Men by Diabetic Foodie
Peppermint Sugar Cookies by In The Kitchen With KP
Christmas Crunchies by Magnolia Days
Cream Cheese Swirled Red Velvet Cookies by Mom’s Test Kitchen
Double Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies and Tips on Mailing Cookies by Chocolate Moosey
Congo Bars by Supper for a Steal
Mint Surprise Cookies by The Cookie A Day Challenge
Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies by Midlife Road Trip
Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars by Shockingly Delicious
Oreo Cheesecake Cookies by Baker Street
Biscoff Pillow Cookies by by The Messy Baker Blog
Mexican Hot Cocoa Cookies by Juanita’s Cocina
Raspberry Thumbprints for my first #SundaySupper! by Kelly Bakes
Tea Biscuits by My Cute Bride
Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies by Mama Mommy Mom
Lebanese Butter Cookies for the Christmas Season by The Catholic Foodie
Almond Joy Macaroons by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
Gluten Free Coconut Fruit Nut Cookies by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Snowball Surprise Cookies by Family Foodie

Check out Cookielicious by Food Editor Janet K. Keeler from The Tampa Bay Times now while there is a special… Buy One Cookielicious Cookbook and get one for a friend!

Do you have a favorite cookie to take to a Cookie Exchange? Please join on us on Twitter throughout the day during #SundaySupper on December 9th. In the evening we will meet at 7pm EST for our #SundaySupper Ultimate Cookie Exchange live chat.

All you have to do is follow the #SundaySupper hashtag or you can follow us through TweetChat.

We’d also love to feature your recipe for The Ultimate Cookie Exchange on our #SundaySupper Pinterest board to share them with all of our followers, too.