Greetings, fellow bakers!
What with Thanksgiving being so late this year, I’m rather behind in planning my holiday baking. This week I’ve been getting a mind set for the Christmas Holidays, ordering a few gifts, and am just now trying to sort out all those tempting recipes for baking up cookies and other goodies for gift-giving. It’s at this time of year that I can bake to my heart’s content and not feel guilty about who is going to eat it all. I’m giving most of it away!! Each year I struggle with choosing which treats will make the cut and be included in the packages I make for friends and family, and each year the choice becomes more difficult as I always find a couple new must-makes to include.
For many of you Christmas cookies conjure up thoughts of rolled out gingerbread boys and girls, or brightly decorated trees. I like decorated cookies certainly, but with time having gotten away from me, my focus this year will be on great texture and superior flavor rather than cutting and piping. I’m also going to try and emphasize some of the popular flavors and get a diverse mixture going.
While I sort this all out and come up with a few treats to share with you, here are some previous favorites that I will be considering when I finalize my list this week.
Anytime Sugar Cookies
Of all the incredible holiday cookies out there, in my opinion, nothing beats a great sugar cookie. These Anytime Sugar Cookies are simply delicious and are so adaptable to any kind of decorating; frost or not, sprinkles, colored sugars, etc. They are sure to please.
Funfetti Truffles
Truffles are always a favorite of mine. These Funfetti Truffles are so easy to make, and you can vary the colors and flavors.
Salted Butterscotch Blondies
When I’m baking so many large quantities of treats, I aways appreciate something that is simple to make but garners rave reviews every time. That would be these Salted Butterscotch Blondies. One batch makes a large panful and goes a long way.
Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints
Last year I made these Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints and they totally wowed everyone. Sort of a pecan pie in cookie form.
Gingerbread Biscotti
Some kind of biscotti are always included in my gift packages. These chocolate dipped Gingerbread Biscotti with crystalized ginger are my favorites, and everyone who has received them always loves them.
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies, made from a cake mix, are so festive, they really add color to a cookie platter. They are so moist and chewy, always a popular addition to a box of treats.
Maraschino cherries in a buttery shortbread cookie, dipped in white chocolate, with colored sprinkles decorating the edges. I made these Shortbread Cookies for the first time last year and they moved right to the top of my list of favorite cookies. They are pretty to look at, and the flavor is awesome. I know I’ll be making these again this year. Can’t wait!!
If, like me, you do a lot of baking for the Holidays, any one of these recipes would be a good place to start. By next week I should be better organized with my own baking plans and have some new goodies to share with you. Happy Baking! 😀
Delicious on a Dollar 