Favorite Christmas Cookies

Snowflake · 12-14-2005, 03:16 PM

I guess in some respects it is true, I'm after 40 and I seem to be turning into my mother except without the grey hair and children that gave it to her, cats instead, a much better deal

It is the "holiday season" and here I am, baking cookies and making fudge! Who would have thunk it? I'm making my favorites from childhood and a couple of new ones to try out.

Snowball cookies (aka Russian tea cookies, Mexican wedding cookies)
Spiced version of Snowball cookies (courtesy this months issue of Bon Appetit)
Pumpkin Pinwheel (courtesy foodtv)
Fudge with toasted walnuts (Mom's old recipe)
Almond Roca cookies (Mom's old recipe)

Anyone else have any favorite traditional cookies, sweets they make during this festive season?

The funny food/xmas memory I associate with pleasure growing up may seem to be a strange one. I guess, in retrospect, it is. My dad was a mailman when it was a good job and before people "went postal." Christmas time was always incredible because my dad would come home every night with the most amazing presents from people on his route. My eye doctor and dentist were on his route and it was always a thrill to see him when I had an appointment. My dad was a great guy. I digress. Every year, one of the ladies on my dad's residential route would give him a couple of jars of her bread and butter pickles. I LOVED those! It was something we all looked forward to every year. They remain in my memory as the best I've ever eaten. They were crispy with lots of onion pickled in there too. Just fabulous and I remember them every Xmas. Strange, I know.

At least it is my sister, and not me, who continues the horrible green bean cassarole complete with Campbell's soup! That's one Xmas tradition I prefer to forget. Other than the cookies, my holiday dinners are non-traditional anyway. And I have NO clue what I am making this year!

Donna

libraryvixen · 12-14-2005, 03:42 PM

I love frosted sugar cookies. I know it's an all year round kind of food... but the Christmas shapes somehow make the cookies taste better!

I know it's not a cookie, but my best friend makes buckeye candies every Christmas and they are fantastic. I get to come over and help her dip the peanut butter rounds (because using the word "peanut butter balls" would sound awkward.. lol) into the melted chocolate.

Snowflake · 12-14-2005, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by libraryvixen

I love frosted sugar cookies. I know it's an all year round kind of food... but the Christmas shapes somehow make the cookies taste better!

I know it's not a cookie, but my best friend makes buckeye candies every Christmas and they are fantastic. I get to come over and help her dip the peanut butter rounds (because using the word "peanut butter balls" would sound awkward.. lol) into the melted chocolate.

Buckeyes are fabulous! Any combination of peanut butter and chocolate is a winner for me!

Crystal · 12-14-2005, 03:49 PM

Traditionally my daughter and I bake for about week to give christmas cookies and candies to family and friends.

We make:

chocolate chip cookies
brownies
sugar cookies
peanut butter cookies
buckeye balls(my favorite too)
fudge (sometimes)
snickerdoodles

We haven't started yet this year, but this thread will probably get me movin'!

Snowflake, would you mind sharing the recipe for the Almond Roca cookies? I'd love to try something new and those sound delicious!

Snowflake · 12-14-2005, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crystal

Snowflake, would you mind sharing the recipe for the Almond Roca cookies? I'd love to try something new and those sound delicious!

Sure, when I get home and I can type out the recipe, I'd be happy to share!

Dona

CoasterMatt · 12-14-2005, 04:35 PM

Rumballs - a few of the people on these boards have tasted my chocolate-y rummy good balls (They make for especially good snacks aboard PotC - Yo HO!)

wendybeth · 12-14-2005, 08:41 PM

Rosettes- I have an iron I bought in a Swedish shop in Leavenworth, and they are the best cookies ever. Take forever to make, but they are soooo good!

Drince88 · 12-16-2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendybeth

Rosettes- I have an iron I bought in a Swedish shop in Leavenworth, and they are the best cookies ever. Take forever to make, but they are soooo good!

Let me know when you're making them, so I can come over. (They are SOOO good when they're fresh out of the oil!)

One year I went TOTALLY overboard on cookies -- I think I made 5 or 6 kinds. The favorite from that year were chocolate mint press cookies, dusted with powdered sugar.

Snowflake · 12-16-2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drince88

One year I went TOTALLY overboard on cookies -- I think I made 5 or 6 kinds. The favorite from that year were chocolate mint press cookies, dusted with powdered sugar.

Yum! I fail completely at press cookies. All my cookies look like some weird mutants.

Drince88 · 12-17-2005, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Yum! I fail completely at press cookies. All my cookies look like some weird mutants.

I THINK the trick might be to use a specific press cookie recipe, or else one that doesn't 'puff' too much. Same thing happens to me when I use Pillsbury dough and cookie cutters with 'designs' in the middle (that you have to roll to EXACTLY the right depth) -- they always puff so much you can't tell what the shape is.

(If I was better at my baking chemistry, I'd tell you what ratio of ingredients puff more/less, but no such luck here)

Oh, and I always go for the most basic shapes - either the rings or trees!

12-14-2005, 03:16 PM	#1
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Favorite Christmas Cookies I guess in some respects it is true, I'm after 40 and I seem to be turning into my mother except without the grey hair and children that gave it to her, cats instead, a much better deal It is the "holiday season" and here I am, baking cookies and making fudge! Who would have thunk it? I'm making my favorites from childhood and a couple of new ones to try out. Snowball cookies (aka Russian tea cookies, Mexican wedding cookies) Spiced version of Snowball cookies (courtesy this months issue of Bon Appetit) Pumpkin Pinwheel (courtesy foodtv) Fudge with toasted walnuts (Mom's old recipe) Almond Roca cookies (Mom's old recipe) Anyone else have any favorite traditional cookies, sweets they make during this festive season? The funny food/xmas memory I associate with pleasure growing up may seem to be a strange one. I guess, in retrospect, it is. My dad was a mailman when it was a good job and before people "went postal." Christmas time was always incredible because my dad would come home every night with the most amazing presents from people on his route. My eye doctor and dentist were on his route and it was always a thrill to see him when I had an appointment. My dad was a great guy. I digress. Every year, one of the ladies on my dad's residential route would give him a couple of jars of her bread and butter pickles. I LOVED those! It was something we all looked forward to every year. They remain in my memory as the best I've ever eaten. They were crispy with lots of onion pickled in there too. Just fabulous and I remember them every Xmas. Strange, I know. At least it is my sister, and not me, who continues the horrible green bean cassarole complete with Campbell's soup! That's one Xmas tradition I prefer to forget. Other than the cookies, my holiday dinners are non-traditional anyway. And I have NO clue what I am making this year! Donna __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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12-14-2005, 03:42 PM	#2
libraryvixen is part of the resistance Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: up North Posts: 963	I love frosted sugar cookies. I know it's an all year round kind of food... but the Christmas shapes somehow make the cookies taste better! I know it's not a cookie, but my best friend makes buckeye candies every Christmas and they are fantastic. I get to come over and help her dip the peanut butter rounds (because using the word "peanut butter balls" would sound awkward.. lol) into the melted chocolate.
	Submit to Quotes

12-14-2005, 03:49 PM	#4
Crystal Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 98	Traditionally my daughter and I bake for about week to give christmas cookies and candies to family and friends. We make: chocolate chip cookies brownies sugar cookies peanut butter cookies buckeye balls(my favorite too) fudge (sometimes) snickerdoodles We haven't started yet this year, but this thread will probably get me movin'! Snowflake, would you mind sharing the recipe for the Almond Roca cookies? I'd love to try something new and those sound delicious!
	Submit to Quotes

12-14-2005, 04:35 PM	#6
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	Rumballs - a few of the people on these boards have tasted my chocolate-y rummy good balls (They make for especially good snacks aboard PotC - Yo HO!) __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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12-14-2005, 08:41 PM	#7
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	Rosettes- I have an iron I bought in a Swedish shop in Leavenworth, and they are the best cookies ever. Take forever to make, but they are soooo good! __________________
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