Monday, December 5, 2011

Christmas Cookies

Spitzbuebe, Swiss Raspberry Sandwich Cookie
Cookie number one
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Christmas is a holiday that more than any other is all about the comfort and warmth of home.  At this time of the year our homes are the welcoming haven, the place where the family gathers to celebrate the holiday and be embraced and enveloped by the warmth of hearth and home.  The lights on the outside of the house beckon, the candle light inside the house glows, the fireplace is lit, and the warmth of the oven promises delicious and traditional Christmas sweets.

The season is often filled with delightful surprises and cozy treats and this year the wonderful cooking magazine Saveur is contributing to the festivities.  Saveur Magazine is featuring "The Saveur Cookie Advent Calendar" which will include "25 Days of Cookies!"  Savuer.com will feature a cookie recipe each day for the month of December starting on December 1.

Cornmeal Cookies (Paste di Meliga)
Cookie number two

Who doesn't love cookies?  There is probably no more highly anticipated and delicious holiday tradition than baking cookies.  I can't think of any food more closely associated with Christmas.  There are cookie exchange parties, cookies baked to give as gifts, platters of cookies on a dessert table, and  cookies just to enjoy with a mug of tea of a cold winter day.  There is no better way to welcome people to our homes than the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting from the kitchen.  We all have our favorites.



Classic Sugar Cookies
Cookie number three

Now we will have many more to choose from after viewing the twenty-five days of cookies from Saveur.  I am already inspired to try some new recipes, such as the Swiss Raspberry Sandwich cookie and the Cornmeal cookies from Italy. I can hardly wait to click on each quivering date on the calendar and see what new cookie awaits me with each new day of the month.  The calendar is there for us to click on any date and a cookie and recipe will appear.  Try this cookie advent calendar,  I think it will bring a smile to your face and you will love it.

Pecan Squares
Cookie number four

Just the word "Christmas" unlocks memories of childhood for me and one of my fondest is the image of my mother baking Christmas cookies.  I carry on her tradition and devote at least a couple days of the month to creating a big platter of homemade treats for my loved ones.  Usually I host a Christmas Cookie Exchange Party, but this year will be more about small, last minute get-togethers with friends. 


Coconut Cookies
Cookie number five


I am thinking of a tree-trimming party with my family or an afternoon gathering with friends to drink hot apple cider and eat Christmas cookies in front of the fireplace.  Food, family, friends and festivities, this is what the season is all about.  What will you be doing this month to celebrate and enjoy the festive foods of the season?  


Happy Baking!

10 comments:

  1. What a perfect way to celebrate the season. I can't wait to get stuck into some proper holiday baking.

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  2. All the cookies look delicious. I love to sit with friends in front of a fire with a cup of hot cider, hot chocolate or flavored coffee. Friends, drinks and delicious cookies make a wonderful afternoon. Lovely post.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  3. I've been busy playing Christmas hostess to out of town guests and have just spent a delicious few moments catching up on your wonderful blog!
    Such a holiday inspiration you are!

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  4. Thank you for all the great cookie recipes!!! Want to make them all :)

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  5. These look great!
    I haven't got dinner on the table yet and I am craving one or two of these.
    I like to spend a few hours baking with Xmas music in the background it really put me in the festive spirit.

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  6. I tried making those cookies in the first photo. I received this nifty little cookie punch for the center. The cookies were a complete failure and I had no idea what I was doing wrong. They look so perfect in that top photo that it inspires me to try again! Happy cookie baking!

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  7. I will try them also, Sarah. Hopefully they will work! I thought I would just use a small round cutout cookie cutter. Can't wait to start baking.

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  8. Everything looks delicious! I used to bake several kinds of cookies and one year got so carried away we were pulling Rum Balls out of the freezer in July. Gingerbread Men are still a must though, they make the house smell so nice. And you've inspired me to dig out my recipe for Empire Cookies so thank you!

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  9. What a delicious post!

    I usually make several kinds of cookies; molasses, pinwheel, Greek butter cookies and/or nut pastries. Then there is fudge and caramels. I've actually already made a batch of caramels to put into favor containers and a pound for a raffle basket, not to mention the pound I ate cutting them up.

    Off I go to savuer.com

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  10. I love your idea for a tree-trimming party. My daughter has asked me to host a cookie-making party for her and her third grade friends.

    xo Keri

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