Relishments

Savoring life in the Berkshires

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
    • Start Here
    • Relishments Around the Web
  • Flexitarianism
    • Cookbooks
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Reviews
  • The Berkshires
    • Boothbay, Midcoast Maine and More
    • Adventures in Other Places
  • Technology
    • My Favorite Technology Tools
  • Contact
    • Sponsor

Highlights: Christmas Cookies

Published on December 11, 2011 By Emily. Updated on December 11, 2011

Another sign that Christmas is on the horizon?  I’ve got cookies on the brain.  It just occurred to me that I don’t have any cookie swaps on my calendar this year and I had such a good time at the 2 I attended last year that I think I’m going to host one in January (let me know if you want in!)

IMG_2133

the results of my 2009 baking
 
IMG_3501
 
the results of the 2010 cookie swap #1
 
I’m planning on keeping my baking fairly low key this year, but I can’t go to school empty handed on the day before break.  It’s just not in my nature.  I think I’ve settled on what I’m going to do, but I might change my mind, given all of the posts I’ve seen lately:
 
Food In Jars has a recipe for thumbprint cookies that are a great way to use homemade jam.  You know, that homemade jam that I never got around to canning this summer?  I’ll add that to the file for next year.
 
What kind of holiday cookie are you?  Take the Washington Post’s quiz to find out.  I’m apparently a no-bake cookie, which surprised me, but I guess I am pretty busy.
 
Peanut butter buttercream sandwich cookies don’t scream Christmas to me, but they still look awfully tasty.  I really don’t know where Evan comes up with these genius ideas.  Also, a good reminder that my frosting making experience is almost non-existent.
 
Speaking of geniuses, Liz kicked off her 17 Days of Cookies at the beginning of this month and they all use the same base sugar cookie dough.  My favorite recipes so far are Nutella Cookies with Sea Salt Sprinkles and Caramel Toasted Coconut Stars, but I’m excited to see what else she comes up with.
 
If you like a little spice with your sweet, I’d take a look at The Kitchn’s collection of 10 spice cookie recipes. 
 
Julie mixed some of the best flavors of the season and posted Eggnog Sugar Cookies.  Um, yes please (and only 6 ingredients!)
 
It needs to be known that I have a (possibly unhealthy) obsession with all things shortbread.  These hazelnut and olive oil shortbread cookies on The Kitchn sounded fabulous until I saw the photo.  Then they looked and sounded phenomenal.  Also being added to my “to make” list? Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies… or Banana Chocolate Chip Sandwiches from Home Cooking in Montana.
 
On Smitten Kitchen, there are some mighty tempting looking Nutmeg Maple Butter Cookies, made even more adorable by the use of leaf and acorn shaped cookie cutters.  I bet they taste like fall.
 
Too busy to bake? Trust me, I feel you on that one.  There are some yummy ideas on Chow’s “Crazy Easy Christmas Cookies” list, so don’t despair!
 
I generally don’t believe in sugar substitutes (except maybe honey or agave, but never Splenda or Equal and anything with stevia in it tastes gross to me), but one Chow writer did some experiments to see how sugar substitutes affected her snickerdoodles.  In the end, it seems that she doesn’t believe in them either.
 
I had good intentions, as usual, to start my baking early this year.  Good thing there’s still time to do so and put these tips for freezing cookies into practice, from Life Your Way.
 
Apparently there exists a thing called Speculoos Cookie Butter.  And, according to Halley on Blunder Construction, it is amazing.  It doesn’t really seem like my kind of thing, but if I ever make it to Trader Joe’s again maybe I’ll try it.
 
Lastly, Bit Rebels shared this excellent mug with a cookie pocket.  I love that idea!
 
(if that wasn’t enough links, check out last year’s Christmas cookie highlights!)

Related Posts

Highlights: Cookies
#45: Making a Birthday Cake from Scratch
Keeping it Simple – Easter 2018
January’s King Arthur Flour #Bakealong: Clas...
Did you enjoy this post? Share it!

Filed Under: links Tagged With: baking, dessert, holiday

« It’s Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas
Before and After »

Comments

  1. Halley (Blunder Construction) says

    December 12, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    “It’s just not in my nature.” I love your attitude! This holiday just wouldn’t be the same for me if I wasn’t baking something, but I’ll be ready for a break from the oven very soon. Thanks for the shout out, by the way. I am already halfway through the cookie butter jar. Try it with sliced apples, if you can!

  2. Linda says

    December 23, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    Wow they look so delicious, want to see the result for 2011.

Trackbacks

  1. » Highlights: Christmas Trivia » Relishments says:
    December 18, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    […] attempt to not add anything else to your to do lists.  I got some feedback last week that my cookie highlights simply added to the number of cookies people felt compelled to make and I don’t want to be […]

Welcome!

Welcome to Relishments! Follow along with my adventures in flexitarian eating and cooking in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

The Berkshires
Recipe Index
CSA Menu Plan
First Time?
 

Support Relishments on Patreon

Just so you know…

I’m just a girl who loves to cook and eat. This site is not a source for nutritional information.

Relishments is affiliated with various sponsors. Some product links on this site are affiliates; I may get portion of the sale. All opinions on this site are honest, regardless of revenue opportunities. Find out more about my policies here

Relishments is affiliated with…

View my food journey on Zomato!

  
Ahalogy Badge

relishments

New year, new word! This year, I'm focusing on bei New year, new word!
This year, I'm focusing on being deliberate in my speech, my relationships, my work and my time. Change isn't going to happen my chance!
More of my thoughts are on the blog, link in my profile.
.
.
.
#onelittleword #myoneword #newyears #newyearsresolution #2021 #2021theme
My top 9 of 2020. In typical 2020 fashion, I had a My top 9 of 2020.
In typical 2020 fashion, I had all kinds of issues getting my Top 9 created this year and this image still has problems. 
But the images are accurate and nicely summarize the year - take out from local establishments (@aokberkshirebbq, @thebreakroomgw, @northadamsfarmersmarket), #RelishmentsBakes projects, the natural beauty of the Berkshires and our successful container garden.
.
.
.
#topnine2020 #2020 #newyear
New on the blog: my 8 favorite recipes I made in 2 New on the blog: my 8 favorite recipes I made in 2020. This post has ideas for every meal and features recipes from @bonappetitmag, @kingarthurbaking, @budgetbytes, @markbittman, @smittenkitchen and @wholefully.
.
Link in profile.
.
I'd love to hear about the best things you cooked this year!
.
.
.
#recipe #recipereview #favoriterecipe
Apparently, in the weirdness that is 2020, posting Apparently, in the weirdness that is 2020, posting to my Instagram feed was one of the things that didn't make the cut. There are more items than I'd prefer in that category, but recently I've felt like I'm beginning to get my feet firmly planted beneath me again. This fall was so busy with learning how to teach remotely and parent 2 children well. I don't anticipate that life will ever feel not busy, but I've been able to carve out some time lately for activities I've been missing. Making bread is one of those activities. Hopefully, more posts in the feed will be more frequent going forward. 
.
.
.
Peasant bread recipe from @breadin5
For last month's #RelishmentBakes challenge I made For last month's #RelishmentBakes challenge I made apple turnovers with puff pastry from scratch. I am so pleased with how well they turned out and proud of myself for tackling puff pastry.  Get all the details at the link in my profile. Next month's challenge is coming soon!
.
.
.
#BakingChallenge #BakingFromScratch #bakealong #turnovers #AppleTurnovers
Sunset in North Adams . . . #igers413 #WigwamWeste Sunset in North Adams
.
.
.
#igers413 #WigwamWesternSummit #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #sunset
#sponsored All the time we've spent at home lately #sponsored All the time we've spent at home lately has definitely had me looking to expand the snack options in my pantry.  I jumped at the chance to try these @sunmaid Sour Raisins  and they immediately became one of my daughter's favorite snacks. She likes them because they're reminiscent of candy, I like them because they're technically fruit and they come prepackaged for easy snacking and taking on the go. I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty they are!
#howyoulikethemsours #contest #complimentary @Influenster
This weekend's weather was amazing and my family e This weekend's weather was amazing and my family embarked on the only way to kick off fall: we went apple picking at Jaeschke Orchards in Adams.  The parking lot was full, but out in the orchard we hardly came across any other groups.  The trees were heavy with apples and we quickly filled our bag. Looking forward to apples for snacks, pie, crisp and turnovers in the coming weeks.
This month's #RelishmentBakes challenge may sound This month's #RelishmentBakes challenge may sound familiar because it's a repeat. Sort of. Get all the details and join me in some turnover baking this month at the link in my profile.
.
.
.
#bakealong #BakingFromScratch #BakingChallenge #baking
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in