Christmas Cookie Collection 2022

Dec 17

Dec 17 Christmas Cookie Collection 2022

Instead of cookie box deliveries this year, I had a holiday party where I put together a dessert table with a variety of cookies to suit everyone's taste. Something nutty, something fruity, something pepperminty and of course something chocolatey! I turned to two of my favorite sources for ideas, New York Times cooking and King Arthur Baking. Both sites include lots of helpful user reviews as well as tips for success. Let me know if you have trouble accessing it because of the paywall on New York Times Cooking, I'm able to "gift" some recipes. Check out the collection...

Dark Chocolate Buttercrunch:

Chocolatey, crunchy, chewy, and absolutely decadent. A grown up version of a Heath Bar - a childhood favorite made even better with dark chocolate and toasted pecans. These look complicated but you don't need anything more than a food-safe thermometer, a saucepan, and a spoon to make them. OK, maybe a knife too for the chopping.

Recipe: https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/dark-chocolate-buttercrunch-recipe

Pistachio Almond Pinwheels

These made the rounds last year on Instagram thanks to Claire Saffitz wildly popular Dessert Person cookbook, and have been on my list for quite a while to try. Pistachios are a favorite of mine, and I thought the psychedelic swirl would be a fun addition to the dessert table this year. (I added a touch of green food coming to make them pop and now they make me think of the Joker in that old 60s Batman TV series.) Out of the oven, they’re very almondy, but once cooled, the pistachio comes through and they’re absolutely delicious. Nutty shortbread really. They were the favorite of my guests. I think mine too. The dough may crack a little when rolling it up, but just press it back together, it will all work out fine.

Recipe in the cookbook or here: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021709-pistachio-pinwheels

Peppermint Brownies

Peppermint bark has been a part of my holiday world ever since I can remember. My mom used to send me a batch every year and it’s favorite for sure. This year I thought I’d mix it up - but not too much obviously! - and make some peppermint brownies to add to the dessert table. This recipe by Erin McDowellgot 5 stars on New York Times Cooking, so I had to try it out. It’s a fudge-like brownie with a peppermint filling and a layer of dark chocolate on top. I added peppermint sprinkles from @fancysprinkles for a little sparkle. Ridiculously good. I have to say, next year it will be hard to choose between making this recipe again or going back to the bark…maybe I’ll have to make both. Problem solved.

Recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020702-peppermint-brownies

Cardamom Ginger Linzer Cookies

The final batch of cookies for the holiday party dessert table. I loved the pop of cardamom that complemented the raspberry center beautifully. A delicious and unexpected bite and a unique take on the Linzer. The non-traditional Linzer dough is made with cream cheese which makes it easy to roll out. Bonus: the cookies stay crisp for days if you don’t fill them right away, so they'd be a good make-ahead option.

Recipe: https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/cardamom-cream-cheese-linzer-cookies-recipe