I am in Australia on holidays and our kitchen is not set up to bake (or even cook for that matter) so recipes may be scarce of the next couple of weeks. I would also like to spend some quality time with friends and family without being kitchen bound for hours at an end. Having said that, I have had a few requests from readers for Christmas Cookie recipes so I have decided to re-post some of my favourites.
These Gingerbread Cookies are the quintessential Christmas cookie and possibly the prettiest, not to mention tastiest in the cookie scheme of things. I made them last year and again this year as gifts, which went down a treat! You can also use the recipe to make gingerbread men which can be a fun holiday activity should you get snowed in.
Linzer Cookies are also up there with the best and you certainly do not have to make them in a heart shape – I think they would be really pretty in the shape of some sort of old fashioned Christmas bauble or even a star.
And of course, if you are a sugar cookie fan then you must try this recipe, I almost wish I had all my kitchen bits and pieces so I could whip up a batch of snow men sugar cookies – perhaps next year!
Now, if you are some one who isn’t into fiddly and time consuming cookies, here are a couple of good old fashioned cookies that will keep you very happy. A favourite of mine are the Chocolate Chunk and Dried Cherry Cookies, this flavour combination is wonderful. Then you have infamous World Peace Cookie for chocolate lovers and your standard (but sensational) Chocolate Chip Cookie in two versions; one thin and almost crisp and the other thicker and almost fudgy. If you would like to go down the continental path – you can bake Kourabiedes, they are very similar to Vanillekipferl which my grandmother use to bake by the hundreds (I am not exaggerating) every Christmas.
And finally, this cookie recipe is a delicious nutty/oaty cookie with chocolate chips as well – an all time favourite in our household and guaranteed to please many visitors, especially if served with a nice hot chocolate – or cold glass of milk if weather permitting.
I hope these have provided inspiration and you are hot footing it to your kitchens to bake – I am trying to borrow a stand mixer off a friend so I can whip up a batch of Dried Cranberry, Cherry & Pistachio Nougat for you – otherwise it could be a quiet week.
© 2011, Michelle. All rights reserved.
