My Favorite Christmas Cookies & Goodies

It is that time of year where we are all spending  time in our kitchen baking away.  We are searching for the perfect cookie recipe to take to your cookie bake or to deliver to your neighbors.  After years of trying to be fancy when it comes to Christmas goodies, I have given up.  I have found three fail proof recipes that I love and that is what I make each and every year.  An open apology to my neighbors, “you are getting the same cookies as last year.”.

Each and every year we head to my mom’s house for our annual cookie bake.  We started this the year C was born and it is something I look forward to each year.  We all bring our favorite cookie, bake them, decorate the hundreds of sugar cookies my mom makes, and then swap.  I am in charge of the peanut butter cookies each and every year.  I come home with a tin full of cookies to eat, enjoy and give to others, but I often end up making other on my own as well.

When it is time for me to take Christmas treats to my hubby’s office I am usually out of the cookies from the cookie bake so I whip of two of my favorites: scotcharoos and sugar cookies.  He always says that everyone loves them and they are gone by lunch time at his office.  Don’t worry, I hold some back for our family as well.

I am all about balance and indulging once in awhile and a good Christmas cookie or goodie is worth it to me.  I don’t mean those cut-out cookies with the frosting, I am not a huge fan of those.  I am talking about a yummy, moist cookie that can be enjoyed with a cup of coffee on a cold afternoon while addressing Christmas cards, wrapping gifts or taking with you as you go look at Christmas lights.  There is a beautiful nostalgia that a Christmas cookie brings- it is truly magical.

When it is time for you to start baking, and looking for delicious recipes for your Christmas goodies, look no further.  You don’t need a ton of variety, as long as you have a couple super yummy treats to eat yourself or share with others.  I promise these three Christmas treats will be loved by all this Christmas.

Christmas Cookies & Goodies

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter cookies are my absolute favorite and there is nothing that beats the Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie recipe.  You know the one that I found in my mom’s old 1980’s red and white plaid Betty Crocker cookbook.  You know how I know it has been used a lot?  I can immediately find the page because it is coming out and there may or may not be peanut butter crusted on it.  This is the very best peanut butter cookie recipe there is and in my eyes, nothing beats a perfect peanut butter cookie.

Mimi’s Sugar Cookies

This is the very best sugar cookie I have ever had.  Last year was the first year I made these and I believe I made about three batches.  This is the perfect cookie to enjoy with your coffee.  The light dusting of sugar on the top of it makes it not just delicious and gorgeous as well.  I am so glad Julie at Peanut Butter fingers shared her Grandma’s famous recipe with the rest of the world because there will never be another sugar cookie I make.  This amazing cookie doesn’t even need frosting.

Scotcharoos

You know I how much I love a scotcharoo!  From Thanksgiving to Christmas I can’t tell you how many pans of this rich treat I make.  Every time I make them they get eaten right up.  In my family, there is often a race to who can eat the last scotcharoo.  The thing is, there is a true science to making the perfect scotcharoo.   The ingredients are quite simple, the perfection comes in the cooking and the temperature.  Don’t worry, it is your lucky day, I am sharing that secret with you.

I am sure you could have found the ingredients for this recipe anywhere on the web, but it in the cooking where you find the perfection of this treat.  In a big pan, combine the sugar, kayro and peanut butter.  Turn the heat on low to medium and stir throughout.  As soon as you see that first bubble, immediately take off the heat.  This is so important.  If you let it cook any longer, it will get too hard.  Once you take off the heat, add the rice krispies.  Add two cups of time and stir making sure all the rice krispies are coated.  Once coated, spread into a 11 x 16 pan.

Combine the morsels into a glass bowl and heat in the microwave for a minute at a time, stirring after each minute.  Again, you don’t want this to cook too long either or it won’t be smooth.  Once it is melted and smooth, cover the rice krispie & peanut butter mixture.  Place in the refrigerator to harden and then get out and cut.

 

Other Treats to Try

One of these days I may venture out and try something new.  I have my eyes set on a few new recipes to give a shot.  I am not sure if this year will be the year or not, but here are some yummies that have caught my eye around the web.

Chewy Walnut Treasures

These cookies from Kate look amazing!  And they are proven to be amazing as her mom won a contest for these cookies! I can already envision eating this cookie, drinking coffee and looking at Christmas lights.  I think this is a cookie that won’t wait until next year.

Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies

If you are looking for a healthy alternative to the Christmas cookie, here it is.  Skinny taste does it again with a beautiful, low fat Christmas cookie that the kids will love decorating.  If you are a personal trainer or fitness instructor, this might be the perfect cookie to gift to your clients this holiday season- of course with a workout stapled to the cookie bag.

If you want to be even more health conscious this holiday season, remember these 4 Ingredient Swaps for Baking.  Whatever you choose this holiday, make it delicious, make it worth it and find your balance.  If you don’t have time to make 10 different cookies, no worries, choose one of these taste tested treats and be on your merry way.

Your turn- tell me!
What is your favorite holiday cookie or treat?
Do you deliver cookies or something else?