FoodFixe

Ho-Ho-Holiday Cookies, Etc.

About the only thing I’ve managed to cross off my holiday to-do list is baking. But I know plenty of folks who are just getting started on their cookies, candies, and other confections. If you’re going to baking in the next couple of days and are looking for something new to try or just some inspiration, here are a few of my favorites …

Spritz Cookies

Today’s cookie is a favorite from my childhood—Spritz. If Candy Cane Cookies were my favorites to eat, Spritz were my favorite to make. (Don’t get me wrong, I loved eating them, too!) You could keep your cookie cutters, royal icing, and dragées, nothing was as cool as my mom’s cookie press (more on that in a bit).

Spritz are delicious in their simplicity—a buttery cookie that’s not too sweet and with a hint of almond flavor. There are few aromas that make me swoon, and the fragrance of almonds is one of them. When I make these cookies, they have more than just a hint of almond. I have quadrupled the almond extract in this recipe to suit my tastes; you can adjust the amount to suit your own. You also can make different flavors, including chocolate and lemon. See the original Betty Crocker recipe for inspiration.

Cornmeal and Ginger Shortbread Cookies

Today’s treat comes from Morry Angell, who chronicles her adventures in food with words and fabulous photos on Fare to Remember. I met Morry a couple years ago; we were introduced by a mutual friend, Cathy Pitts (a.k.a., the dog whisperer), who thought her two foodie friends should know each other. Morry had recently published a cookbook and I was interested in hearing about her experience. (One of these days I’ll get my cookbook off the back burner!) Morry’s approach to cooking is simple—simple ingredients, simple preparation. But don’t let that fool you; she applies the same zest to her cooking that she does to life in general. And her cookie contribution is no different.

Many thanks, Morry, for the sweet post!


Cookies, cookies, cookies. Now, I love me a good cookie every once in a while, but rarely—if ever—do I make them. That's what moms and bakeries are for, no? So when Siobhan asked me to contribute a recipe for FoodFixe’s 12 Days of Cookies extravaganza, I could hardly refuse, and yet, what's a non-baker to do? Luckily for me, my mom was coming to Napa Valley for a pre-Thanksgiving holiday visit, so I knew that I would be in good hands. Let alone, a day in the kitchen with mom would be fun for both of us.

Pecan Puffs

I'm taking a liberty (blogger's perogative) with today's post in that I'm republishing a cookie I included in the first 12 Days of Christmas Cookies marathon a couple years ago. Why? Because it is, by far, the most popular cookie I've ever made. For a lot of people I  know, it wouldn't be the holidays without Pecan Puffs. Enjoy!

Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond Biscotti

Debbie Zambetti is today’s cookie contributor. Although I have known her sister Lisa since high school, I only just met Debbie a couple months ago. When I discovered she wrote a blog—Savor Life —I asked her to introduce us. I wanted to learn more about her career as a nutrition coach and health counselor and, of course, to talk food.

I’m excited about Debbie’s Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond Biscotti recipe. First, because I tried one of the early test batches and know how yummy they are. Second, I love having a gluten-free cookie that everyone can enjoy and feel good about, especially during the holidays when good and good for you treats are hard to come by.

Grandmother's Pumpkin Cookies

Today’s recipe comes from Jennifer Rolander, a new foodie friend whom I met at a bread-baking class at Relish Culinary Adventures. She has the enviable job of being the wine club director at Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate in Healdsburg. Jennifer is an accomplished baker, an award-winning pie maker to be exact--a talent that runs in the family. However, she was nice enough to share a cookie recipe for the holidays. Jennifer’s story is a sweet one and shows how food and tradition keep us connected near or far.

Thank you for sharing your recipe and your story, Jennifer!

Over Night Cookies

Today’s cookie comes from Lettie Seaver. I first met Lettie several summers ago in Colusa through mutual friends, her niece Kristy, actually. That first conversation was followed up with more as we’d run into each other, usually at Olde Tyme Christmas when Lettie and her daughter Clancy (whom I’ve known even longer) would stop by the booth where I was selling cheesecake. Eventually, I was stopping by her house and catching up over a soda. And during summer, I’d leave with an armload of fresh basil. Some friendships, much like Lettie’s garden, grow organically and at their own pace.

Lettie’s cookie recipe is actually two recipes—similar and yet distinct as the grandmothers who originally made them. And Lettie’s devotion and loyalty to the two women is evident in her memories of them and how she bakes their cookies.

Pfefferneusse

Today’s cookie contribution comes from Sheri Codiana. I met Sheri during a session at the BlogHer Food 2010 conference in October. She’s the author of the blog Pork Cracklins (love the name!). Like me, Sheri’s blog is an avocation, a departure from her day job in high-tech.

Food and cooking and baking evoke so many memories, and even someone else’s connection to food can bring back a long forgotten memory. Reading Sheri’s post about Pfefferneusse reminded me that these were my dad’s favorite holiday cookie, too. And I remember my mom making these cookies for him at Christmas.

Thanks for the recipe and the memory, Sheri!

The 12 Days of Christmas Cookies & Kona Chocolate Chip Cookies

Welcome to The 12 Days of Christmas Cookies! I started this “tradition” a couple years ago as a virtual extension of the annual cookie baking/swap my girlfriends Kelley and Denise and I have done for years—some years more successfully than others. And now, both physical and virtual cookie swaps are all the rage.

After skipping last year, I was committed to making The 12 Days of Christmas Cookies happen this year. I knew I couldn’t do it all by myself (besides, you would grown bored of me after Day 3!), so I enlisted the help of some friends—some new, some old, from near and far—to share a recipe. What I received was pure sweetness in both the recipes and the stories and memories that accompanied them.

5 Tasty Valentine's Treats

Seems like just yesterday it was New Year’s and now Valentine’s Day is two days away. Even if you consider February 14th a Hallmark holiday, the long weekend is a good excuse to make something yummy and share it with those you love.

I scoured the FoodFixe archives and came up with this short list of tasty treats to tickle your tastebuds. Whether you’re a chocoholic or prefer your desserts on the light and fruity side, you’ll find something here to help you celebrate this weekend.