Christina here, relaxing with a cookie and a glass of milk after all the seasonal festivities. The day after Boxing Day always feels like a chilling kind of day, when you can just sit down and take it easy. And what better way than with a cookie and some milk/tea/coffee (whatever is your preference)?
I’m sure that many of you bake special treats for Christmas and in our house that’s gingerbread. Or more specifically, Swedish pepparkakor, which are less spicy than their UK counterparts. Every family has their own recipe handed down through the generations, and in my case it’s very special because my great-grandfather owned a bakery. So the cookies I make each year are the same ones he would have sold from 1901 onwards – I love that I’m carrying on that tradition!
Decorating them is part of the fun, but I have to admit I am useless at it. If you compare my efforts (see the photo of the holly leaf with a Christmas message) to those of my Swedish neighbour (the heart that says God Jul), whose icing skills are so much better, you see what I mean. But who cares? The whole point is that it should be fun, and something the whole family can do together, especially little children if there are any.
I have so many memories of baking with my mother and grand-mother, then my own children, and it was always fun. This year I did it with my younger daughter, and we had a lovely time. (We may or may not have eaten quite a lot of dough in the process – naughty but nice!). The best part is choosing which cookie cutters to use and I’ve accumulated quite a selection. I pick one up whenever I see an unusual one (and not just for Christmas, but for other events throughout the year). Some work better than others with gingerbread dough – for example, my Viking ship cutters are almost impossible to turn into cookies! Their little sails and dragon head prows are too thin and break easily. Still, I managed to make a few, and they taste good whatever shape they end up.
How about you – do you make any special type of cookies for Christmas? And do you have favourite cookie cutters? I hope you’re relaxing with a lovely treat today, whether you baked it yourself or someone did it for you!
Those cookies sound delicious! I do have a big collection of cookie cutters, and sadly I have not used them much in recent years. I’ve got leaf and flower shapes, playing card suits(clubs, spades, etc.), geometric shapes in different sizes, and various animals. And of course a gingerbread man. The boats look like fun, I’ve never seen those before.
Those cookies sound delicious! I do have a big collection of cookie cutters, and sadly I have not used them much in recent years. I’ve got leaf and flower shapes, playing card suits(clubs, spades, etc.), geometric shapes in different sizes, and various animals. And of course a gingerbread man. The boats look like fun, I’ve never seen those before.
Those cookies sound delicious! I do have a big collection of cookie cutters, and sadly I have not used them much in recent years. I’ve got leaf and flower shapes, playing card suits(clubs, spades, etc.), geometric shapes in different sizes, and various animals. And of course a gingerbread man. The boats look like fun, I’ve never seen those before.
Those cookies sound delicious! I do have a big collection of cookie cutters, and sadly I have not used them much in recent years. I’ve got leaf and flower shapes, playing card suits(clubs, spades, etc.), geometric shapes in different sizes, and various animals. And of course a gingerbread man. The boats look like fun, I’ve never seen those before.
Those cookies sound delicious! I do have a big collection of cookie cutters, and sadly I have not used them much in recent years. I’ve got leaf and flower shapes, playing card suits(clubs, spades, etc.), geometric shapes in different sizes, and various animals. And of course a gingerbread man. The boats look like fun, I’ve never seen those before.
I made soft ginger molasses cookies and we gobbled them up on Christmas. I love them at this time of year. Alas, they were just round. 🙂
Growing up the cookie cutter was used for Valentine’s Day. My mom made her Swedish sugar cookies (although not sure how authentic Swedish they are) and we would help her cut them out with the heart shaped cookie cutter. Then she would frost them and would write the names of every kid in our class and we’d take them to school for Valentine’s day. There are 4 of us kids so that was a lot of cookies!! It’s a good memory now though.
I made soft ginger molasses cookies and we gobbled them up on Christmas. I love them at this time of year. Alas, they were just round. 🙂
Growing up the cookie cutter was used for Valentine’s Day. My mom made her Swedish sugar cookies (although not sure how authentic Swedish they are) and we would help her cut them out with the heart shaped cookie cutter. Then she would frost them and would write the names of every kid in our class and we’d take them to school for Valentine’s day. There are 4 of us kids so that was a lot of cookies!! It’s a good memory now though.
I made soft ginger molasses cookies and we gobbled them up on Christmas. I love them at this time of year. Alas, they were just round. 🙂
Growing up the cookie cutter was used for Valentine’s Day. My mom made her Swedish sugar cookies (although not sure how authentic Swedish they are) and we would help her cut them out with the heart shaped cookie cutter. Then she would frost them and would write the names of every kid in our class and we’d take them to school for Valentine’s day. There are 4 of us kids so that was a lot of cookies!! It’s a good memory now though.
I made soft ginger molasses cookies and we gobbled them up on Christmas. I love them at this time of year. Alas, they were just round. 🙂
Growing up the cookie cutter was used for Valentine’s Day. My mom made her Swedish sugar cookies (although not sure how authentic Swedish they are) and we would help her cut them out with the heart shaped cookie cutter. Then she would frost them and would write the names of every kid in our class and we’d take them to school for Valentine’s day. There are 4 of us kids so that was a lot of cookies!! It’s a good memory now though.
I made soft ginger molasses cookies and we gobbled them up on Christmas. I love them at this time of year. Alas, they were just round. 🙂
Growing up the cookie cutter was used for Valentine’s Day. My mom made her Swedish sugar cookies (although not sure how authentic Swedish they are) and we would help her cut them out with the heart shaped cookie cutter. Then she would frost them and would write the names of every kid in our class and we’d take them to school for Valentine’s day. There are 4 of us kids so that was a lot of cookies!! It’s a good memory now though.
I love gingerbread! I used to do a lot of baking when the children were small. Then my daughter, who got ill with mental health problems, started baking as a way to help her keep her mind off problems. She loved it and took over the Christmas baking as well as birthday cakes and so on. She hasn’t lived at home now for about four years and I just couldn’t get back into it myself. I used to make an apple cake from an old receipe of my mother’s. I’d eat the whole lot myself if I could, it was lovely.
Tradition is a lovely thing.
I love gingerbread! I used to do a lot of baking when the children were small. Then my daughter, who got ill with mental health problems, started baking as a way to help her keep her mind off problems. She loved it and took over the Christmas baking as well as birthday cakes and so on. She hasn’t lived at home now for about four years and I just couldn’t get back into it myself. I used to make an apple cake from an old receipe of my mother’s. I’d eat the whole lot myself if I could, it was lovely.
Tradition is a lovely thing.
I love gingerbread! I used to do a lot of baking when the children were small. Then my daughter, who got ill with mental health problems, started baking as a way to help her keep her mind off problems. She loved it and took over the Christmas baking as well as birthday cakes and so on. She hasn’t lived at home now for about four years and I just couldn’t get back into it myself. I used to make an apple cake from an old receipe of my mother’s. I’d eat the whole lot myself if I could, it was lovely.
Tradition is a lovely thing.
I love gingerbread! I used to do a lot of baking when the children were small. Then my daughter, who got ill with mental health problems, started baking as a way to help her keep her mind off problems. She loved it and took over the Christmas baking as well as birthday cakes and so on. She hasn’t lived at home now for about four years and I just couldn’t get back into it myself. I used to make an apple cake from an old receipe of my mother’s. I’d eat the whole lot myself if I could, it was lovely.
Tradition is a lovely thing.
I love gingerbread! I used to do a lot of baking when the children were small. Then my daughter, who got ill with mental health problems, started baking as a way to help her keep her mind off problems. She loved it and took over the Christmas baking as well as birthday cakes and so on. She hasn’t lived at home now for about four years and I just couldn’t get back into it myself. I used to make an apple cake from an old receipe of my mother’s. I’d eat the whole lot myself if I could, it was lovely.
Tradition is a lovely thing.
Oh, I need to get some leaf and flower ones, Karin, they sound lovely! I don’t have a proper gingerbread man/woman either and I probably should. The boats were bought at various Viking museums. Hope you get to use your cutters soon!
Oh, I need to get some leaf and flower ones, Karin, they sound lovely! I don’t have a proper gingerbread man/woman either and I probably should. The boats were bought at various Viking museums. Hope you get to use your cutters soon!
Oh, I need to get some leaf and flower ones, Karin, they sound lovely! I don’t have a proper gingerbread man/woman either and I probably should. The boats were bought at various Viking museums. Hope you get to use your cutters soon!
Oh, I need to get some leaf and flower ones, Karin, they sound lovely! I don’t have a proper gingerbread man/woman either and I probably should. The boats were bought at various Viking museums. Hope you get to use your cutters soon!
Oh, I need to get some leaf and flower ones, Karin, they sound lovely! I don’t have a proper gingerbread man/woman either and I probably should. The boats were bought at various Viking museums. Hope you get to use your cutters soon!
Awesome, Misti – like you said, that’s a lot of cookies and how kind of your mom! Not sure which ones you mean by Swedish sugar cookies, but I love most of the Scandinavian ones so I’m sure they were delicious. And ginger molasses – yum!
Awesome, Misti – like you said, that’s a lot of cookies and how kind of your mom! Not sure which ones you mean by Swedish sugar cookies, but I love most of the Scandinavian ones so I’m sure they were delicious. And ginger molasses – yum!
Awesome, Misti – like you said, that’s a lot of cookies and how kind of your mom! Not sure which ones you mean by Swedish sugar cookies, but I love most of the Scandinavian ones so I’m sure they were delicious. And ginger molasses – yum!
Awesome, Misti – like you said, that’s a lot of cookies and how kind of your mom! Not sure which ones you mean by Swedish sugar cookies, but I love most of the Scandinavian ones so I’m sure they were delicious. And ginger molasses – yum!
Awesome, Misti – like you said, that’s a lot of cookies and how kind of your mom! Not sure which ones you mean by Swedish sugar cookies, but I love most of the Scandinavian ones so I’m sure they were delicious. And ginger molasses – yum!
I’m glad you have those memories too, Teresa! It’s always fun to bake with children and they love it. Great that baking helped your daughter too! Hope she brought you some cookies this year. And apple cake is delicious!
I’m glad you have those memories too, Teresa! It’s always fun to bake with children and they love it. Great that baking helped your daughter too! Hope she brought you some cookies this year. And apple cake is delicious!
I’m glad you have those memories too, Teresa! It’s always fun to bake with children and they love it. Great that baking helped your daughter too! Hope she brought you some cookies this year. And apple cake is delicious!
I’m glad you have those memories too, Teresa! It’s always fun to bake with children and they love it. Great that baking helped your daughter too! Hope she brought you some cookies this year. And apple cake is delicious!
I’m glad you have those memories too, Teresa! It’s always fun to bake with children and they love it. Great that baking helped your daughter too! Hope she brought you some cookies this year. And apple cake is delicious!
Your cookies look and sound wonderful, Christina! I’m not much of a baker, but I am perfectly happy to sample what others care to share.
Your cookies look and sound wonderful, Christina! I’m not much of a baker, but I am perfectly happy to sample what others care to share.
Your cookies look and sound wonderful, Christina! I’m not much of a baker, but I am perfectly happy to sample what others care to share.
Your cookies look and sound wonderful, Christina! I’m not much of a baker, but I am perfectly happy to sample what others care to share.
Your cookies look and sound wonderful, Christina! I’m not much of a baker, but I am perfectly happy to sample what others care to share.
What a nice tradition, Misti — Valentine’s Day wasn’t anything special here when I was a kid. It came in more as a commercial holiday, influenced from the USA and TV I think, as had Trick or Treating and Hallowe’en.
But a cookie for every kid sounds lovely. Hope the teacher got one too.
What a nice tradition, Misti — Valentine’s Day wasn’t anything special here when I was a kid. It came in more as a commercial holiday, influenced from the USA and TV I think, as had Trick or Treating and Hallowe’en.
But a cookie for every kid sounds lovely. Hope the teacher got one too.
What a nice tradition, Misti — Valentine’s Day wasn’t anything special here when I was a kid. It came in more as a commercial holiday, influenced from the USA and TV I think, as had Trick or Treating and Hallowe’en.
But a cookie for every kid sounds lovely. Hope the teacher got one too.
What a nice tradition, Misti — Valentine’s Day wasn’t anything special here when I was a kid. It came in more as a commercial holiday, influenced from the USA and TV I think, as had Trick or Treating and Hallowe’en.
But a cookie for every kid sounds lovely. Hope the teacher got one too.
What a nice tradition, Misti — Valentine’s Day wasn’t anything special here when I was a kid. It came in more as a commercial holiday, influenced from the USA and TV I think, as had Trick or Treating and Hallowe’en.
But a cookie for every kid sounds lovely. Hope the teacher got one too.
My godmother was the biscuit (cookie) bringer in my family — she always came for Christmas with a big tin of home-baked biscuits.
My grandmother made what she called applecake, which was stewed apple between two thin layers of sweet pastry and iced with lemon icing. It was delicious, but alas, she died when I was 12 and nobody in the family seems to have kept her recipe. My mum probably had it, but my older sisters threw out my mum’s battered old recipe book with all the handwritten recipes in it. I was so upset when I found out what they’d done.
My godmother was the biscuit (cookie) bringer in my family — she always came for Christmas with a big tin of home-baked biscuits.
My grandmother made what she called applecake, which was stewed apple between two thin layers of sweet pastry and iced with lemon icing. It was delicious, but alas, she died when I was 12 and nobody in the family seems to have kept her recipe. My mum probably had it, but my older sisters threw out my mum’s battered old recipe book with all the handwritten recipes in it. I was so upset when I found out what they’d done.
My godmother was the biscuit (cookie) bringer in my family — she always came for Christmas with a big tin of home-baked biscuits.
My grandmother made what she called applecake, which was stewed apple between two thin layers of sweet pastry and iced with lemon icing. It was delicious, but alas, she died when I was 12 and nobody in the family seems to have kept her recipe. My mum probably had it, but my older sisters threw out my mum’s battered old recipe book with all the handwritten recipes in it. I was so upset when I found out what they’d done.
My godmother was the biscuit (cookie) bringer in my family — she always came for Christmas with a big tin of home-baked biscuits.
My grandmother made what she called applecake, which was stewed apple between two thin layers of sweet pastry and iced with lemon icing. It was delicious, but alas, she died when I was 12 and nobody in the family seems to have kept her recipe. My mum probably had it, but my older sisters threw out my mum’s battered old recipe book with all the handwritten recipes in it. I was so upset when I found out what they’d done.
My godmother was the biscuit (cookie) bringer in my family — she always came for Christmas with a big tin of home-baked biscuits.
My grandmother made what she called applecake, which was stewed apple between two thin layers of sweet pastry and iced with lemon icing. It was delicious, but alas, she died when I was 12 and nobody in the family seems to have kept her recipe. My mum probably had it, but my older sisters threw out my mum’s battered old recipe book with all the handwritten recipes in it. I was so upset when I found out what they’d done.
I don’t bake anymore, and haven’t for a long time, since I am sensitive to sugar (which is to say, I eat it). But when I did, at Christmas I’d do a batch of my sister in law’s Russian Tea Cakes, which are little butter cookie and chopped nut type balls, rolled twice in powdered sugar (so a two day process). I am sure they have many names in many lands but that’s the name we knew. I would take a tin of them to the office and put them out and they would disappear like chum thrown to the sharks, leaving all the guys with powdered sugar on their faces.
Nowadays my favorite cookie is Murray’s Sugarfree Chocolate Chip, but what with alleged supply line shortages, I haven’t seen any around lately. Pfui 🙂
I don’t bake anymore, and haven’t for a long time, since I am sensitive to sugar (which is to say, I eat it). But when I did, at Christmas I’d do a batch of my sister in law’s Russian Tea Cakes, which are little butter cookie and chopped nut type balls, rolled twice in powdered sugar (so a two day process). I am sure they have many names in many lands but that’s the name we knew. I would take a tin of them to the office and put them out and they would disappear like chum thrown to the sharks, leaving all the guys with powdered sugar on their faces.
Nowadays my favorite cookie is Murray’s Sugarfree Chocolate Chip, but what with alleged supply line shortages, I haven’t seen any around lately. Pfui 🙂
I don’t bake anymore, and haven’t for a long time, since I am sensitive to sugar (which is to say, I eat it). But when I did, at Christmas I’d do a batch of my sister in law’s Russian Tea Cakes, which are little butter cookie and chopped nut type balls, rolled twice in powdered sugar (so a two day process). I am sure they have many names in many lands but that’s the name we knew. I would take a tin of them to the office and put them out and they would disappear like chum thrown to the sharks, leaving all the guys with powdered sugar on their faces.
Nowadays my favorite cookie is Murray’s Sugarfree Chocolate Chip, but what with alleged supply line shortages, I haven’t seen any around lately. Pfui 🙂
I don’t bake anymore, and haven’t for a long time, since I am sensitive to sugar (which is to say, I eat it). But when I did, at Christmas I’d do a batch of my sister in law’s Russian Tea Cakes, which are little butter cookie and chopped nut type balls, rolled twice in powdered sugar (so a two day process). I am sure they have many names in many lands but that’s the name we knew. I would take a tin of them to the office and put them out and they would disappear like chum thrown to the sharks, leaving all the guys with powdered sugar on their faces.
Nowadays my favorite cookie is Murray’s Sugarfree Chocolate Chip, but what with alleged supply line shortages, I haven’t seen any around lately. Pfui 🙂
I don’t bake anymore, and haven’t for a long time, since I am sensitive to sugar (which is to say, I eat it). But when I did, at Christmas I’d do a batch of my sister in law’s Russian Tea Cakes, which are little butter cookie and chopped nut type balls, rolled twice in powdered sugar (so a two day process). I am sure they have many names in many lands but that’s the name we knew. I would take a tin of them to the office and put them out and they would disappear like chum thrown to the sharks, leaving all the guys with powdered sugar on their faces.
Nowadays my favorite cookie is Murray’s Sugarfree Chocolate Chip, but what with alleged supply line shortages, I haven’t seen any around lately. Pfui 🙂
Christmas cookies at our house always meant homemade Spritz, Chocolate Pecan Brownies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Anise Cream Cheese Icebox Cookies and Rum Balls. My mother also made a light fruitcake with nuts, golden raisins, candied pineapple, candied cherries and candied citron. Sadly, the candied fruit available in grocery stores today is so plastic-like and flavorless that I’ll never make a recipe that uses it.
Christmas cookies at our house always meant homemade Spritz, Chocolate Pecan Brownies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Anise Cream Cheese Icebox Cookies and Rum Balls. My mother also made a light fruitcake with nuts, golden raisins, candied pineapple, candied cherries and candied citron. Sadly, the candied fruit available in grocery stores today is so plastic-like and flavorless that I’ll never make a recipe that uses it.
Christmas cookies at our house always meant homemade Spritz, Chocolate Pecan Brownies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Anise Cream Cheese Icebox Cookies and Rum Balls. My mother also made a light fruitcake with nuts, golden raisins, candied pineapple, candied cherries and candied citron. Sadly, the candied fruit available in grocery stores today is so plastic-like and flavorless that I’ll never make a recipe that uses it.
Christmas cookies at our house always meant homemade Spritz, Chocolate Pecan Brownies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Anise Cream Cheese Icebox Cookies and Rum Balls. My mother also made a light fruitcake with nuts, golden raisins, candied pineapple, candied cherries and candied citron. Sadly, the candied fruit available in grocery stores today is so plastic-like and flavorless that I’ll never make a recipe that uses it.
Christmas cookies at our house always meant homemade Spritz, Chocolate Pecan Brownies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Anise Cream Cheese Icebox Cookies and Rum Balls. My mother also made a light fruitcake with nuts, golden raisins, candied pineapple, candied cherries and candied citron. Sadly, the candied fruit available in grocery stores today is so plastic-like and flavorless that I’ll never make a recipe that uses it.
Thank you, Kareni – I’d be very happy to share them with you!
Thank you, Kareni – I’d be very happy to share them with you!
Thank you, Kareni – I’d be very happy to share them with you!
Thank you, Kareni – I’d be very happy to share them with you!
Thank you, Kareni – I’d be very happy to share them with you!
Those Russian Tea Cakes sound amazing! I’m not surprised they disappeared quickly 🙂 Hope you can find some chocolate chip cookies again soon!
Those Russian Tea Cakes sound amazing! I’m not surprised they disappeared quickly 🙂 Hope you can find some chocolate chip cookies again soon!
Those Russian Tea Cakes sound amazing! I’m not surprised they disappeared quickly 🙂 Hope you can find some chocolate chip cookies again soon!
Those Russian Tea Cakes sound amazing! I’m not surprised they disappeared quickly 🙂 Hope you can find some chocolate chip cookies again soon!
Those Russian Tea Cakes sound amazing! I’m not surprised they disappeared quickly 🙂 Hope you can find some chocolate chip cookies again soon!
Wow, you guys did a LOT of baking! I only ever make gingerbread cookies, saffron buns and occasionally some rye bread. But it’s great fun to bake together, isn’t it!
Wow, you guys did a LOT of baking! I only ever make gingerbread cookies, saffron buns and occasionally some rye bread. But it’s great fun to bake together, isn’t it!
Wow, you guys did a LOT of baking! I only ever make gingerbread cookies, saffron buns and occasionally some rye bread. But it’s great fun to bake together, isn’t it!
Wow, you guys did a LOT of baking! I only ever make gingerbread cookies, saffron buns and occasionally some rye bread. But it’s great fun to bake together, isn’t it!
Wow, you guys did a LOT of baking! I only ever make gingerbread cookies, saffron buns and occasionally some rye bread. But it’s great fun to bake together, isn’t it!
How awful that you lost not only the recipes but that momento of your mother! I am the keeper of hand-me-down recipes in my family, and I’ve shared them with everyone who is interested. So hopefully they will continue on to the next generation.
How awful that you lost not only the recipes but that momento of your mother! I am the keeper of hand-me-down recipes in my family, and I’ve shared them with everyone who is interested. So hopefully they will continue on to the next generation.
How awful that you lost not only the recipes but that momento of your mother! I am the keeper of hand-me-down recipes in my family, and I’ve shared them with everyone who is interested. So hopefully they will continue on to the next generation.
How awful that you lost not only the recipes but that momento of your mother! I am the keeper of hand-me-down recipes in my family, and I’ve shared them with everyone who is interested. So hopefully they will continue on to the next generation.
How awful that you lost not only the recipes but that momento of your mother! I am the keeper of hand-me-down recipes in my family, and I’ve shared them with everyone who is interested. So hopefully they will continue on to the next generation.
Yes, me too Karin – I seem to end up with anything like that so I just hold on to them. Anne, that is so sad! Really hope you had some of the recipes written down elsewhere at least 🙁
Yes, me too Karin – I seem to end up with anything like that so I just hold on to them. Anne, that is so sad! Really hope you had some of the recipes written down elsewhere at least 🙁
Yes, me too Karin – I seem to end up with anything like that so I just hold on to them. Anne, that is so sad! Really hope you had some of the recipes written down elsewhere at least 🙁
Yes, me too Karin – I seem to end up with anything like that so I just hold on to them. Anne, that is so sad! Really hope you had some of the recipes written down elsewhere at least 🙁
Yes, me too Karin – I seem to end up with anything like that so I just hold on to them. Anne, that is so sad! Really hope you had some of the recipes written down elsewhere at least 🙁
Thanks so much for this post, Christina – it wouldn’t be Christmas without cookies, would it? I baked far fewer than usual this year, but still made gingerbread (always cut with a snowflake-shaped cutter); Dorie Greenspan’s French Vanilla Sables; peanut butter cookies that enclose a chocolate chip surprise; sugar cookies to cut out; and cookies my grandmother called Butternuts, a shortbread ball wrapped around a toasted pecan half and rolled in powdered sugar. I also make small mincemeat pies, which I first read about in a Regency romance! Most of the cookies go to neighbors and family, so I’m always looking for types that will ship well. I admit to having far more cookie cutters than I ever use at one holiday – I have a large cookie jar filled with Christmas themes and another filled with shapes for hearts, flowers, airplanes, elephants, octopus, ducks, etc! Most prized are tin cutters with wooden handles that came from my grandmother. Even if I don’t use them all each year, it’s an opportunity to take them out and enjoy remembering where I found them!
Thanks so much for this post, Christina – it wouldn’t be Christmas without cookies, would it? I baked far fewer than usual this year, but still made gingerbread (always cut with a snowflake-shaped cutter); Dorie Greenspan’s French Vanilla Sables; peanut butter cookies that enclose a chocolate chip surprise; sugar cookies to cut out; and cookies my grandmother called Butternuts, a shortbread ball wrapped around a toasted pecan half and rolled in powdered sugar. I also make small mincemeat pies, which I first read about in a Regency romance! Most of the cookies go to neighbors and family, so I’m always looking for types that will ship well. I admit to having far more cookie cutters than I ever use at one holiday – I have a large cookie jar filled with Christmas themes and another filled with shapes for hearts, flowers, airplanes, elephants, octopus, ducks, etc! Most prized are tin cutters with wooden handles that came from my grandmother. Even if I don’t use them all each year, it’s an opportunity to take them out and enjoy remembering where I found them!
Thanks so much for this post, Christina – it wouldn’t be Christmas without cookies, would it? I baked far fewer than usual this year, but still made gingerbread (always cut with a snowflake-shaped cutter); Dorie Greenspan’s French Vanilla Sables; peanut butter cookies that enclose a chocolate chip surprise; sugar cookies to cut out; and cookies my grandmother called Butternuts, a shortbread ball wrapped around a toasted pecan half and rolled in powdered sugar. I also make small mincemeat pies, which I first read about in a Regency romance! Most of the cookies go to neighbors and family, so I’m always looking for types that will ship well. I admit to having far more cookie cutters than I ever use at one holiday – I have a large cookie jar filled with Christmas themes and another filled with shapes for hearts, flowers, airplanes, elephants, octopus, ducks, etc! Most prized are tin cutters with wooden handles that came from my grandmother. Even if I don’t use them all each year, it’s an opportunity to take them out and enjoy remembering where I found them!
Thanks so much for this post, Christina – it wouldn’t be Christmas without cookies, would it? I baked far fewer than usual this year, but still made gingerbread (always cut with a snowflake-shaped cutter); Dorie Greenspan’s French Vanilla Sables; peanut butter cookies that enclose a chocolate chip surprise; sugar cookies to cut out; and cookies my grandmother called Butternuts, a shortbread ball wrapped around a toasted pecan half and rolled in powdered sugar. I also make small mincemeat pies, which I first read about in a Regency romance! Most of the cookies go to neighbors and family, so I’m always looking for types that will ship well. I admit to having far more cookie cutters than I ever use at one holiday – I have a large cookie jar filled with Christmas themes and another filled with shapes for hearts, flowers, airplanes, elephants, octopus, ducks, etc! Most prized are tin cutters with wooden handles that came from my grandmother. Even if I don’t use them all each year, it’s an opportunity to take them out and enjoy remembering where I found them!
Thanks so much for this post, Christina – it wouldn’t be Christmas without cookies, would it? I baked far fewer than usual this year, but still made gingerbread (always cut with a snowflake-shaped cutter); Dorie Greenspan’s French Vanilla Sables; peanut butter cookies that enclose a chocolate chip surprise; sugar cookies to cut out; and cookies my grandmother called Butternuts, a shortbread ball wrapped around a toasted pecan half and rolled in powdered sugar. I also make small mincemeat pies, which I first read about in a Regency romance! Most of the cookies go to neighbors and family, so I’m always looking for types that will ship well. I admit to having far more cookie cutters than I ever use at one holiday – I have a large cookie jar filled with Christmas themes and another filled with shapes for hearts, flowers, airplanes, elephants, octopus, ducks, etc! Most prized are tin cutters with wooden handles that came from my grandmother. Even if I don’t use them all each year, it’s an opportunity to take them out and enjoy remembering where I found them!
We’re no longer baking like we used to at Christmas; none of us need it, plus I have trouble standing long enough to make things at this point. But my sister brought me two baggies of our most traditional Christmas cookie: Peppernuts! Small brown cookies, just a bit soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside & tasting of lightly of anise (they require anise oil) One of the signs of Christmas coming at the folks; the snowman cookie jar out on the hutch & filled with peppernuts! Honestly, they’re way better than potato chips & just as addictive for munching, esp. when playing cards, which we always do when there is any family get-together. Many years ago, went to a Christmas party where they wanted us to bring a family recipe item; I took a huge mixing bowl full of fresh peppernuts. Once they tasted them, that bowl emptied before the end of the party!
And yeah, Russian Tea Cakes; I’ve seen them as Swedish Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies as TexasGal said, etc, but always a dough with nuts in it, rolled into a ball, then baked & then rolled in powdered sugar. We only rolled them once however; all the time we had! Yep, popular! And yum; Lemon Bars, Peanut Butter blossoms (the blossom is the chocolate kiss stuck into the cookie when it comes out of the oven) Date Nut Bars, spritz cookies using a cookie press, Rum Balls (careful about that amount of rum!) oh so many…Now I have the urge to go get the old Betty Crocker Cookbook out!
We’re no longer baking like we used to at Christmas; none of us need it, plus I have trouble standing long enough to make things at this point. But my sister brought me two baggies of our most traditional Christmas cookie: Peppernuts! Small brown cookies, just a bit soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside & tasting of lightly of anise (they require anise oil) One of the signs of Christmas coming at the folks; the snowman cookie jar out on the hutch & filled with peppernuts! Honestly, they’re way better than potato chips & just as addictive for munching, esp. when playing cards, which we always do when there is any family get-together. Many years ago, went to a Christmas party where they wanted us to bring a family recipe item; I took a huge mixing bowl full of fresh peppernuts. Once they tasted them, that bowl emptied before the end of the party!
And yeah, Russian Tea Cakes; I’ve seen them as Swedish Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies as TexasGal said, etc, but always a dough with nuts in it, rolled into a ball, then baked & then rolled in powdered sugar. We only rolled them once however; all the time we had! Yep, popular! And yum; Lemon Bars, Peanut Butter blossoms (the blossom is the chocolate kiss stuck into the cookie when it comes out of the oven) Date Nut Bars, spritz cookies using a cookie press, Rum Balls (careful about that amount of rum!) oh so many…Now I have the urge to go get the old Betty Crocker Cookbook out!
We’re no longer baking like we used to at Christmas; none of us need it, plus I have trouble standing long enough to make things at this point. But my sister brought me two baggies of our most traditional Christmas cookie: Peppernuts! Small brown cookies, just a bit soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside & tasting of lightly of anise (they require anise oil) One of the signs of Christmas coming at the folks; the snowman cookie jar out on the hutch & filled with peppernuts! Honestly, they’re way better than potato chips & just as addictive for munching, esp. when playing cards, which we always do when there is any family get-together. Many years ago, went to a Christmas party where they wanted us to bring a family recipe item; I took a huge mixing bowl full of fresh peppernuts. Once they tasted them, that bowl emptied before the end of the party!
And yeah, Russian Tea Cakes; I’ve seen them as Swedish Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies as TexasGal said, etc, but always a dough with nuts in it, rolled into a ball, then baked & then rolled in powdered sugar. We only rolled them once however; all the time we had! Yep, popular! And yum; Lemon Bars, Peanut Butter blossoms (the blossom is the chocolate kiss stuck into the cookie when it comes out of the oven) Date Nut Bars, spritz cookies using a cookie press, Rum Balls (careful about that amount of rum!) oh so many…Now I have the urge to go get the old Betty Crocker Cookbook out!
We’re no longer baking like we used to at Christmas; none of us need it, plus I have trouble standing long enough to make things at this point. But my sister brought me two baggies of our most traditional Christmas cookie: Peppernuts! Small brown cookies, just a bit soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside & tasting of lightly of anise (they require anise oil) One of the signs of Christmas coming at the folks; the snowman cookie jar out on the hutch & filled with peppernuts! Honestly, they’re way better than potato chips & just as addictive for munching, esp. when playing cards, which we always do when there is any family get-together. Many years ago, went to a Christmas party where they wanted us to bring a family recipe item; I took a huge mixing bowl full of fresh peppernuts. Once they tasted them, that bowl emptied before the end of the party!
And yeah, Russian Tea Cakes; I’ve seen them as Swedish Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies as TexasGal said, etc, but always a dough with nuts in it, rolled into a ball, then baked & then rolled in powdered sugar. We only rolled them once however; all the time we had! Yep, popular! And yum; Lemon Bars, Peanut Butter blossoms (the blossom is the chocolate kiss stuck into the cookie when it comes out of the oven) Date Nut Bars, spritz cookies using a cookie press, Rum Balls (careful about that amount of rum!) oh so many…Now I have the urge to go get the old Betty Crocker Cookbook out!
We’re no longer baking like we used to at Christmas; none of us need it, plus I have trouble standing long enough to make things at this point. But my sister brought me two baggies of our most traditional Christmas cookie: Peppernuts! Small brown cookies, just a bit soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside & tasting of lightly of anise (they require anise oil) One of the signs of Christmas coming at the folks; the snowman cookie jar out on the hutch & filled with peppernuts! Honestly, they’re way better than potato chips & just as addictive for munching, esp. when playing cards, which we always do when there is any family get-together. Many years ago, went to a Christmas party where they wanted us to bring a family recipe item; I took a huge mixing bowl full of fresh peppernuts. Once they tasted them, that bowl emptied before the end of the party!
And yeah, Russian Tea Cakes; I’ve seen them as Swedish Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies as TexasGal said, etc, but always a dough with nuts in it, rolled into a ball, then baked & then rolled in powdered sugar. We only rolled them once however; all the time we had! Yep, popular! And yum; Lemon Bars, Peanut Butter blossoms (the blossom is the chocolate kiss stuck into the cookie when it comes out of the oven) Date Nut Bars, spritz cookies using a cookie press, Rum Balls (careful about that amount of rum!) oh so many…Now I have the urge to go get the old Betty Crocker Cookbook out!
How fabulous, Constance! I would love to have some inherited cookie cutters. Love the sound of all those cookies and I’m sure they are much appreciated. The French Vanilla Sables are probably similar to a type I often make too – delicious! I don’t like mince pies myself but sometimes make them for my husband. Hope everyone enjoys yours!
How fabulous, Constance! I would love to have some inherited cookie cutters. Love the sound of all those cookies and I’m sure they are much appreciated. The French Vanilla Sables are probably similar to a type I often make too – delicious! I don’t like mince pies myself but sometimes make them for my husband. Hope everyone enjoys yours!
How fabulous, Constance! I would love to have some inherited cookie cutters. Love the sound of all those cookies and I’m sure they are much appreciated. The French Vanilla Sables are probably similar to a type I often make too – delicious! I don’t like mince pies myself but sometimes make them for my husband. Hope everyone enjoys yours!
How fabulous, Constance! I would love to have some inherited cookie cutters. Love the sound of all those cookies and I’m sure they are much appreciated. The French Vanilla Sables are probably similar to a type I often make too – delicious! I don’t like mince pies myself but sometimes make them for my husband. Hope everyone enjoys yours!
How fabulous, Constance! I would love to have some inherited cookie cutters. Love the sound of all those cookies and I’m sure they are much appreciated. The French Vanilla Sables are probably similar to a type I often make too – delicious! I don’t like mince pies myself but sometimes make them for my husband. Hope everyone enjoys yours!
Wow so much to choose from there, Karen! It all sounds utterly delicious and now I’m going to have to go and eat some cookies 🙂 Thank you for these lovely descriptions! (We used to play cards in my family too)
Wow so much to choose from there, Karen! It all sounds utterly delicious and now I’m going to have to go and eat some cookies 🙂 Thank you for these lovely descriptions! (We used to play cards in my family too)
Wow so much to choose from there, Karen! It all sounds utterly delicious and now I’m going to have to go and eat some cookies 🙂 Thank you for these lovely descriptions! (We used to play cards in my family too)
Wow so much to choose from there, Karen! It all sounds utterly delicious and now I’m going to have to go and eat some cookies 🙂 Thank you for these lovely descriptions! (We used to play cards in my family too)
Wow so much to choose from there, Karen! It all sounds utterly delicious and now I’m going to have to go and eat some cookies 🙂 Thank you for these lovely descriptions! (We used to play cards in my family too)