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2021 09 09 Christmas Cookies
2021 09 09 Christmas Cookies
SPREAD IT OVER
JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.
M A D E W I T H M I L K F RO M G R A S S - F E D C OW S T H AT
G R A Z E O N T H E L U S H PA S T U R E S O F I R E L A N D.
cookie
it’s
time!
COOKIE KITS
FOR DIY DECORATING
P. 38 6 60
SPRITZ WREATHS NORDIC
A vintage cookie gets SIMPLICITY
a fresh new look. Crisp cookies
8
get minimalist
decorating.
NO OVEN NEEDED 64
Make five new GOING TO
no-bakes in no time. EXTREMES
74
inspired these
easy-to-make bars.
ON THE
COVER 26 FLAVORS
OF MEXICO
Try galletas with
Chocolate MUG BUDDIES
warm spices and
Chai Cookies, Cookies and hot
p. 29 even chiles.
drinks are BFFs.
Red and
Green 30 80
Pinwheels, JUST ADD JAVA
p. 18 JOY IN A JAR
Give your cookies a
Sugar Plums,
Choose from three kick of caffeine.
p. 9 crafty jar designs to
Almond
gift crunchy biscotti.
86
Butter
Shortbread, 34 FOUR-SQUARE
DECORATING
p. 92 COOKIES
TO SAVOR Decorate a set of
Savory flavors give square cookies
cookies a turn on the in one theme for
charcuterie board. a sweet surprise.
38 90
BEYOND
THE TOTAL PEANUT BUTTER
PACKAGE Assorted nut
Give the gift of butters bring big
cookie kits—cutouts, flavor to these
icing, and sprinkles— holiday goodies.
for DIY decorating.
42 95
CROSS-COUNTRY INDEX
COOKIES
Take a trip across
the nation with
96
regionally inspired COOKIE
cookies and bars. BASICS
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 1
LOWEST
PRICE
ANYWHERE!
MEREDITH CORPORATION
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer TOM HARTY | Chief Financial Officer JASON FRIEROTT | Chief Development Officer JOHN ZIESER
President, Meredith Local Media Group PATRICK MCCREERY | Senior Vice President, Human Resources DINA NATHANSON
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For syndication or international licensing requests or reprint and reuse permission, email syndication@meredith.com.
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Winter Botanicals
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lection
C
D
walmart.com/bhg
SPRITZ MAY BE
VINTAGE BUT
THEY’LL NEVER
GO OUT OF
STYLE. GIVE
THE CLASSIC A
NEW LOOK AS
LACY COOKIE
WREATHS
FOR GIFTING
Spritz
AND
DECORATING.
WR EAT H S
RICH BUTTER Spritz WREATHS
prep 30 minutes chill 15 minutes
bake 10 minutes per batch at 375°F
ADD FLAVOR! 1¹∕2 cups butter, softened 3. Trace ten 4-inch circles on
Add one of 1 cup granulated sugar two pieces of parchment paper;
the following 1 tsp. baking powder turn paper marked sides down.
with the eggs
1 egg Using a thin metal spatula,
when making
dough: 1 tsp. vanilla carefully remove chilled dough
3¹∕2 cups all-purpose flour shapes from cookie sheets and,
¹∕4 tsp. almond Desired color gel food
extract working quickly, arrange in
coloring (optional) wreath shapes using marked
¹∕4 tsp. peppermint Powdered Sugar Icing
extract parchment paper as a guide.
(optional) Overlap dough shapes slightly
1 tsp. orange or Small candies and/or and alternate colors (if using).
lemon zest sprinkles (optional) You will need seven to nine
1 Tbsp. desired dough shapes per wreath.
liqueur 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a
Transfer parchment paper to
(such as almond, large bowl beat butter with a
hazelnut, cookie sheets.
mixer on medium to high 4. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until
Irish cream, or
limoncello) 30 seconds. Add granulated edges are firm. Cool on cookie
sugar and baking powder. Beat sheets. Decorate wreaths with, if
until combined, scraping bowl using, Powdered Sugar Icing
as needed. Beat in egg and and desired candies. Makes
AVOID CHILLING vanilla. Beat in as much of the
SPRITZ DOUGH. 10 wreaths.
WHEN COLD, IT’S flour as you can with the mixer. per wreath 538 cal., 29 g
TOO FIRM TO Stir in any remaining flour. fat (18 g sat. fat), 92 mg chol.,
FORCE THROUGH Divide dough into thirds. If
THE PRESS.
277 mg sodium, 66 g carb.,
desired, tint one or more 1 g fiber, 32 g sugars, 5 g pro.
portions of dough with gel
food coloring. POWDERED SUGAR ICING
2. Force unchilled dough In a small bowl stir together
through a cookie press onto 11/2 cups powdered sugar, 4 tsp.
ungreased cookie sheets. If milk, and 1/4 tsp. vanilla or
desired, change plate with each almond extract. If needed, stir in
portion of dough. Chill at least additional milk, 1 tsp. at a time,
15 minutes or until dough shapes to reach desired consistency.
are firm. Makes 1/2 cup.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 7
CAKE BATTER
PUPPY CHOW BARS,
P. 10
Oven NO
NEEDED
MAKE YOUR
COOKIE TRAY
SPECIAL AND
SAVE SOME TIME!
THESE NO-BAKE
BARS AND TREATS
TAKE LESS THAN
30 MINUTES TO
PREPARE.
Sugar PLUMS
start to finish 20 minutes
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 9
cake batter
puppy chow
Pictured on p. 8.
Bars
prep 20 minutes
stand 1 hour
10 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
browned butter
Cookie
bars
Dough
PREP 20 minutes CHILL 1 hour MORE COOKIE
Nonstick cooking spray
DOUGH BARS
1 cup butter CHOCOLATE-CHOCOLATE
1 cup packed brown sugar
CHIP COOKIE DOUGH BARS
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Prepare as directed, except
1/2 tsp. salt
stir in 1/4 cup unsweetened
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla cocoa powder with the flour
21/2 cups pasteurized all-purpose before pasteurizing.
flour (below) or oat flour
1 cup miniature semisweet BLACK AND WHITE
chocolate chips COOKIE DOUGH BARS
1 4-oz. bar semisweet chocolate, Prepare as directed, except
ENLIST THE
little
chopped omit chopped chocolate and
2 Tbsp. heavy cream
HELP OF THE stir in 2 cups chopped
chefs in
2 tsp. light corn syrup
chocolate sandwich cookies
Sea salt flakes
your home
with white or red filling.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 11
S ’m ores
Popcorn Balls
prep 25 minutes
stand 30 minutes
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 13
iral E f f ec t
S
LEARN HOW
T O C R E AT E
PERFECT
SPIRAL
P . 18 COOKIES.
N W H E ELS H OV E R YO U R
RED AND GREEN PI SMARTPHONE
CAMERA
OV E R T H I S
CODE TO GET
THE LINK.
14 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
POTICA
is a Slovenian nut
roll with layers of
thin pastry and
sweet filling.
WA L
NUT
POT
ICA
SP
IRA
LS
P.
S. 18
BO
M
TH N D CO
ES O U R
EC R O
OO H T L
GI KIES R IG C O
VE W ILL SPIN Y O U D
A N S .
TH R E S R
EM W I T H N E W F L AV O BO
X T E
AW T A T
HIRL E G IF P L
FOR COOKI R T
SS E
D E
AND
P . 18
P I R A LS
S
CHOCOL ATE BABKA
ORA
NGE
CRE
AM
SP
IRA
LS
P.
18
FREEZE FOR
LATER
Rolls can be
frozen up to
3 months. If
freezing, place
wrapped rolls in
resealable
freezer bags.
Thaw about
10 minutes or until
soft enough to
cut. Add 1 to
2 minutes to
baking time.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 17
Pinwheels
Red and Green
Pictured on p. 14.
Sirals
Walnut Potica
Pictured on p. 15.
Sirals
Chocolate Babka
Pictured on p. 16.
Sirals
Orange Cream
Pictured on p. 17.
prep 30 minutes prep 20 minutes prep 25 minutes prep 20 minutes
chill 1 hour freeze 1 hour chill 1 hour freeze 1 hour chill 1 hour freeze 1 hour chill 1 hour freeze 1 hour
bake 10 minutes per batch bake 10 minutes per batch bake 8 minutes per batch bake 8 minutes per batch
at 375°F at 375°F at 375°F at 375°F
1 cup butter, softened 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. butter, 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar softened 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1/2 of an 8-oz. pkg. cream
1 tsp. baking powder 1 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. salt cheese, softened
1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. salt 1 egg 1 cup sugar
1 egg 1 egg 1 Tbsp. vanilla 1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla 1 Tbsp. vanilla 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp. salt
21/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups all-purpose flour 3 oz. semisweet chocolate, 1 egg
1/3 cup freeze-dried 11/2 cups walnut pieces, finely chopped 1 tsp. vanilla
raspberries, finely crushed ground 3 Tbsp. butter 21/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup green-color sprinkles 2 Tbsp. honey 1/2 cup chocolate cookie 1 Tbsp. orange zest
1/3 cup red- and green-color 1 egg yolk crumbs Orange food coloring
sprinkles (optional) 1 Tbsp. milk 1 Tbsp. honey 1/2 cup very finely chopped
white baking chocolate
1. In a large mixing bowl beat 1. In a large bowl beat 1 cup of 1. In a large bowl beat 1 cup 1/4 cup orange-color sugar
butter with a mixer on medium the butter with a mixer on butter with a mixer on medium
to high 30 seconds. Add sugar, medium to high 30 seconds. to high 30 seconds. Add sugar 1. In a large bowl beat butter
baking powder, and salt. Beat Add 2/3 cup of the sugar and and salt. Beat on medium and cream cheese with a mixer
until combined, scraping bowl the salt. Beat on medium 2 minutes, scraping bowl as on medium to high 30 seconds.
as needed. Beat in egg and 2 minutes, scraping bowl as needed. Beat in egg and Add sugar, baking powder, and
vanilla. Beat in as much flour as needed. Beat in 1 egg and the vanilla. Beat in flour. Wrap in salt. Beat until combined,
you can with the mixer. Stir in vanilla. Beat in flour. plastic wrap. Chill 1 hour. scraping bowl as needed. Beat
any remaining flour. 2. Wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 2. For filling, in a small in egg and vanilla. Beat in as
2. Divide dough into thirds. Stir 1 hour. saucepan melt chocolate and much of the flour as you can.
raspberry powder into one 3. For filling, in a medium bowl 3 Tbsp. butter over medium-low, Stir in any remaining flour.
portion. Stir green sprinkles into stir together ground walnuts, stirring until smooth. Let cool to 2. Divide dough in half. Stir
one portion. Leave third portion the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and room temperature. Stir in cookie orange zest and orange food
plain. Wrap each portion in 2 Tbsp. butter, the honey, egg crumbs and honey. coloring into one portion. Stir
plastic wrap. Chill 1 hour. yolk, and milk. 3. On a sheet of parchment white chocolate into second
3. On a lightly floured surface, 4. On a lightly floured surface, paper, roll dough into a portion. Wrap in plastic wrap.
roll each dough portion into a roll dough into a 15×10-inch 15×10-inch rectangle. Spread Chill 1 hour.
10×7-inch rectangle. Stack rectangle. Spread walnut filling chocolate filling over dough to 3. On a lightly floured surface,
rectangles. Tightly roll up over dough, leaving a 1/2-inch within 1/2 inch of the long side roll each portion of dough into
dough, starting from one of the border around edges. Cut that is farthest away from you. a 12×8-inch rectangle. Stack
long sides. Roll and stretch roll rectangle in half crosswise. (If dough becomes soft, slide orange rectangle on top of
until 12 inches long. If you like, Tightly roll up dough halves, paper with dough onto a white rectangle. Tightly roll up
place red and green sprinkles starting from short sides; pinch cookie sheet; freeze 10 minutes.) dough, starting from a long
on waxed paper. Coat roll in to seal edges. Wrap rolls in Cut rectangle in half crosswise. side. Place sprinkles on waxed
sprinkles. Wrap roll in plastic plastic wrap; freeze about 1 hour Tightly roll up dough halves, paper. Roll dough in sprinkles to
wrap; freeze about 1 hour or or until firm enough to slice. starting from filled sides; pinch coat, lightly brushing roll with
until firm enough to slice. 5. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line to seal edges. Wrap rolls in water if necessary. Wrap roll in
4. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment plastic wrap; freeze 1 hour. plastic wrap; freeze 1 hour.
cookie sheets with parchment paper. Cut rolls into 1/4-inch 4. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 4. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line
paper. Cut roll into 1/4-inch slices. slices. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets with parchment cookie sheets with parchment
Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. paper. Cut rolls into 1/4-inch paper. Cut roll into 1/4-inch slices.
prepared cookie sheets. 6. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until slices. Place 2 inches apart on Place 2 inches apart on
5. Bake about 10 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool on prepared cookie sheets. prepared cookie sheets.
edges are firm and just starting cookie sheets 1 minute. Remove; 5. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until 5. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until
to brown. Cool on cookie sheet cool on a wire rack. Makes edges are light brown. Cool on bottoms are lightly browned.
1 minute. Remove; cool on a 40 cookies. cookie sheets 2 minutes. Cool on cookie sheets
wire rack. Makes 32 cookies. per cookie 120 cal., 8 g fat Remove; cool on a wire rack. 2 minutes. Remove; cool on a
per cookie 128 cal., 7 g fat (4 g sat. fat), 23 mg chol., 73 mg Makes 36 cookies. wire rack. Makes 36 cookies.
(5 g sat. fat), 21 mg chol., 82 mg sodium, 11 g carb., 0 g fiber, per cookie 120 cal., 7 g fat per cookie 101 cal., 5 g fat
sodium, 13 g carb., 0 g fiber, 6 g sugars, 2 g pro. (4 g sat. fat), 21 mg chol., 94 mg (3 g sat. fat), 16 mg chol., 63 mg
8 g sugars, 1 g pro. sodium, 12 g carb., 0 g fiber, sodium, 13 g carb., 0 g fiber, 7 g
6 g sugars, 0 g pro. sugars, 1 g pro.
18 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Spirals
Pumpkin Spice
prep 25 minutes
chill 30 minutes
freeze 4 hours
AL S
bake 10 minutes per batch
P I R
S
IP C E
at 375°F
S
1/2 cup butter, softened
P KIN
3/4 cup granulated sugar
U M
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
P
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
21/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg yolk
1 recipe Cream Cheese Icing
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 19
Bars
REBUILT AS
WE TOOK
THE FLAVORS
OF OUR
FAVORITE
SWEETS AND
TREATS AND
TURNED
THEM INTO
DECADENT
BARS.
THEY’RE
EASIER
THAN THE
ORIGINALS
TO MAKE,
CANNOLI BARS SERVE, AND
P. 23 DEVOUR.
20 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
CINNAMON ROLL
CHEESECAKE
prep 30 minutes
Bars
bake 50 minutes at 325°F
cool 1 hour chill 2 hours
22 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
CANNOLI Bars
Pictured on p. 20.
TRIPLE CHOCOLATE
CREAM PIE Bars
prep 20 minutes prep 50 minutes
bake 45 minutes at 350°F bake 15 minutes at 325°F
chill 2 hours cool 30 minutes
chill 2 hours
11/2 cups graham cracker
crumbs 24 chocolate sandwich cookies with
1/3 cup butter, melted white filling
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. granulated 1/3 cup butter, melted
sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened
1 8-oz. carton mascarpone 1 4-serving-size pkg. chocolate
cheese, at room instant pudding and pie filling mix
temperature 3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 of a 15-oz. carton whole 3 cups powdered sugar
milk ricotta cheese, at room 8 oz. bittersweet or semisweet
temperature chocolate, chopped
2 eggs 2 Tbsp. shortening
2 tsp. vanilla Grated bittersweet or semisweet
1/2 tsp. orange zest chocolate (optional)
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
2/3 cup miniature semisweet 1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a
chocolate chips
13×9-inch baking pan with foil,
Powdered sugar (optional)
extending foil over edges. Lightly
grease foil.
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line
2. For crust, place cookies in a food
an 8-inch square baking pan
processor. Cover and process until
with foil, extending foil over
fine crumbs. In a medium bowl stir
edges. Grease foil.
together cookie crumbs and melted
2. In a medium bowl stir
butter. Press mixture evenly into the
together graham cracker
prepared baking pan. (Use the
crumbs, butter, and 2 Tbsp. of
bottom of a 1/2-cup dry measuring cup
the sugar. Press mixture evenly
to press cookie mixture evenly into
into bottom of prepared pan.
pan.) Bake 15 minutes. Cool in pan on
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set
a wire rack about 30 minutes or until
and golden brown.
completely cooled.
3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl
3. For filling, in a large bowl beat
beat mascarpone, ricotta, and
softened butter with a mixer on
the remaining 1/2 cup sugar
medium 30 seconds. Add pudding
with a mixer on medium until
mix and cream; beat until smooth.
combined. Beat in eggs, one at
Gradually beat in powdered sugar.
a time, until combined. Beat in
Beat on medium to high 1 to 2 minutes
vanilla, orange zest, and
or until light and fluffy. Carefully
cinnamon.
spread filling over crust.
4. Pour batter over baked crust,
4. For topping, in a medium bowl
spreading evenly. Bake about
combine chocolate and shortening.
35 minutes or until edges are
Microwave about 1 minute or until
golden brown and the center
nearly melted, stirring once. Stir until
is nearly set. Sprinkle with
smooth. Carefully spread over filling.
chocolate chips.
Cover and chill about 2 hours or until
5. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
firm. Use foil to lift out uncut bars. Cut
Cover and chill at least 2 hours
into bars. Garnish with grated
before serving.
chocolate (if using). Makes 32 bars.
6. Use foil to lift out uncut bars.
per bar 285 cal., 17 g fat (9 g sat. fat),
Dust with powdered sugar (if
24 mg chol., 170 mg sodium, 34 g carb.,
using). Cut into bars. Makes
1 g fiber, 27 g sugars, 1 g pro.
16 bars.
per bar 254 cal., 16 g fat (9 g
sat. fat), 58 mg chol., 119 mg
sodium, 24 g carb., 0 g fiber, 16 g
sugars, 4 g pro.
GINGERBREAD
COOKIE Bars
prep 20 minutes
bake 18 minutes at 350°F
24 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Bars
DUTCH LETTER
prep 15 minutes
bake 35 minutes at 350°F
Mug
COMBOS. GRAB
YOUR FAVORITE MUG
AND PICK THE
PERFECT PAIRING TO
COZY UP WITH ON
A COLD AFTERNOON.
BU DDIE S
HANG THESE
CRISP COOKIE
CANES ON A
MUG OF COCOA
MADE WITH HOT
CHOCOLATE
BOMBS.
LEARN HOW
TO MAKE
COCOA
BOMBS WITH
O U R E A S Y-
TO-FOLLOW
V I D E O.
H OV E R YO U R
SMARTPHONE
CAMERA
OV E R T H I S
CODE TO GET
THE LINK.
1
2 3
MAKING CHOCOLATE BOMBS 1. Use a paintbrush to coat insides of bomb molds with melted chocolate. Go all the way to the top.
2. When set, remove the shells from molds and fill half of the shells with marshmallow mixture.
3. Brush the edges of filled shells with more melted chocolate. 4. Top with unfilled shells and press to seal.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 27
PUMPKIN
prep 20 minutes
Eggnog
chill 4 hours
PUMPKIN EGGNOG
CANDIED PEPITAS
In a 6-inch heavy skillet heat 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar and
1/8 tsp. salt over medium-high, shaking skillet several times to
heat sugar evenly (do not stir). Heat until some of the sugar is
melted and syrupy. Stir only the melted sugar to keep it from
overbrowning, stirring in remaining sugar as it melts. Reduce
heat to low. Cook and stir until all sugar is melted and golden.
Stir in 1 tsp. butter. Add 1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
(pepitas) to skillet, stirring to coat. Transfer to greased foil.
While warm, use forks to separate mixture into clusters; cool.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chai
Cookies with Cookies
Candied Pepitas Pictured on p. 26.
prep 40 minutes chill 1 hour
prep 30 minutes bake 7 minutes per batch
chill 30 minutes at 375°F
bake 13 minutes per batch
at 350°F 2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
31/2 cups all-purpose flour
Bombs
powder
3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 Tbsp. instant chai tea mix
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup butter, softened HOT CHOCOLATE
1 cup superfine sugar Pictured on p. 27.
11/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt prep 25 minutes freeze 5 minutes
1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate,
1 egg
melted and cooled 1 to 2 Tbsp. instant hot chocolate shells from the
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 egg chocolate mix molds. To assemble each
3/4 cup canned pumpkin 1 egg yolk 1 to 2 Tbsp. marshmallow chocolate bomb, brush edge
1/2 tsp. orange zest 2 tsp. vanilla bits of a filled chocolate shell (still
2 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese,
Royal Icing (recipe, p. 63) 1 to 2 Tbsp. mini chocolate in the mold) with some of the
softened
chips or mint-chocolate remaining melted chocolate;
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1. In a medium bowl stir together chips gently press edge of unfilled
1 recipe Candied Pepitas
flour, cocoa powder, and chai 4 oz. semisweet or dark
(opposite) chocolate shell into the
tea mix. In a large bowl beat chocolate, chopped
melted chocolate to seal. Chill
butter with a mixer on medium to Melted white baking
1. In a medium bowl combine flour, 2 to 3 minutes or until set.
high 30 seconds. Add sugar and chocolate and/or
1 tsp. of the pumpkin pie spice, the Carefully loosen and pop
salt. Beat until combined, sprinkles (optional)
baking soda, and salt. In a large the assembled bombs from
scraping bowl as needed. Beat in 48 oz. hot chocolate or milk
bowl beat brown sugar, oil, egg, the molds.
melted chocolate. Beat in egg, 5. If you like, decorate
and vanilla with a mixer on 1. In a small bowl combine hot
egg yolk, and vanilla. Add flour assembled bombs. Place
medium to high until combined, chocolate mix, marshmallow
mixture; beat in until just melted white chocolate in a
scraping bowl as needed. Beat bits, and chocolate chips.
combined. Divide the dough in resealable plastic bag. Snip
in pumpkin and orange zest until 2. Place 3 oz. of the chopped
half. Cover and chill 1 hour or until a small hole in one corner
combined. Beat in flour mixture. chocolate in a small bowl.
dough is easy to handle. and drizzle over seams in
Divide dough in half. Microwave 60 seconds or
2. Preheat oven to 375°F. On a
2. Roll each portion of dough until melted, stirring every
bombs. Add sprinkles. Freeze
lightly floured surface, roll one 5 minutes. Transfer bombs to
between two sheets of parchment 15 seconds. The temperature
portion of dough at a time to a storage container. Store at
paper to 1/8 inch thick. Transfer to of the melted chocolate
baking sheets; chill 30 minutes. 1/8 inch thick. Using a 3- to 31/2-inch room temperature up to
candy cane cookie cutter, cut out should be 113°F. If necessary,
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove microwave at 5- to 10-second
2 weeks.
dough. (If necessary, dip cutters 6. To serve, place one bomb
top sheet of parchment from intervals or until a
in flour to prevent sticking.) in a small mug for small
dough. Using 2- to 21/2-inch round thermometer registers 113°F.
Place cutouts 1 inch apart on bombs and a large mug for
cookie cutters, cut out dough. Add the remaining 1 oz.
ungreased cookie sheets. Make large bombs. Slowly pour 4 to
Place cutouts 2 inches apart on chopped chocolate. Stir
sure the crooks in the candy 6 oz. heated hot chocolate or
greased cookie sheets. Reroll vigorously about 2 minutes or
canes are wide enough to fit over milk over the bomb; stir.
scraps once between sheets of until completely smooth. If
a mug rim. Reroll scraps once. Makes 12 small bombs or
parchment paper. Chill 30 minutes small pieces of chocolate
3. Bake about 7 minutes or until 3 large bombs.
before cutting and baking. remain, microwave at
edges are firm. If necessary, *Tip The chocolate will set
4. Bake about 13 minutes or until 5-second intervals, stirring
open crooks in candy canes. quickly in the molds. It’s OK
edges are light brown. Remove; until smooth. The chocolate
Remove; cool on a wire rack. to go back and paint over
cool on a wire rack. temperature should be 88°F.
Decorate as desired with Royal
5. In a medium bowl beat cream 3. Use a small, clean
the chocolate that has set
Icing. Makes 42 cookies. to ensure the molds are
cheese with a mixer on medium paintbrush to brush chocolate
per cookie 136 cal., 5 g fat completely covered. Make
30 seconds. Add powdered sugar inside 1- or 21/2-inch shallow
(3 g sat. fat), 20 mg chol., 52 mg a few at a time to see what
and the remaining 2 tsp. pumpkin silicone half-moon chocolate
sodium, 22 g carb., 1 g fiber, 16 g amount of chocolate works
pie spice. Beat until light and fluffy. molds, creating a thick enough
sugars, 1 g pro. best with your mold. Or brush
Spread frosting on cookies and layer to coat sides
top with Candied Pepitas. Makes a layer of chocolate, chill, and
completely.* Freeze 5 minutes.
48 cookies. brush again.
4. Fill half of the chocolate
per serving 139 cal., 7 g fat (2 g DIY SUPERFINE per small bomb 161 cal., 9 g
SUGAR. shells with 1 to 2 Tbsp.
sat. fat), 14 mg chol., 78 mg sodium, fat (5 g sat. fat), 8 mg chol.,
PROCESS 1 CUP marshmallow mixture.
17 g carb., 1 g fiber, 9 g sugars, GRANULATED 59 mg sodium, 21 g carb., 1 g
Carefully loosen and pop
2 g pro. SUGAR IN A FOOD fiber, 17 g sugars, 4 g pro.
the remaining half of the
PROCESSOR
30 SECONDS.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 29
BROWNED BUTTER
GINGER BISCOTTI,
P. 33
Joy IN
Jar
A
projects by SARAH WEISMAN
30 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
SNOW DOME
WHAT YOU NEED:
• WIDE-MOUTH JAR
• BOTTLE-BRUSH TREES
(4.5 CM) G E T C R E AT I V E A N D B U I L D Y O U R
• FAKE SNOW
• WIDE-MOUTH JAR
Trim bottle-brush trees to
• ³∕16-INCH WOOD
DOWELS
top. Glue deer, trees,
and car to top of jar lid
with hot glue and sprinkle
• 1.5-INCH WOOD
WHEELS
fake snow around.
Glue half of clear
ornament to lid. Tie
• CRAFTS PAINT
& PAINTBRUSH
ribbon around jar rim.
• SANDPAPER
• WOOD GLUE
• WIDE-MOUTH JAR
• FAUX FUR
• WOODEN BEAD
(1.25 INCHES OR 12 MM)
LOOK ONLINE
USE OUR OR AT CRAFTS
SUPPLY STORES
PAT T E R N S
FOR ALL YOUR
FOR MAKING CRAFTING
H AT S A N D SUPPLIES.
BEARDS.
H OV E R YO U R
SMARTPHONE
CAMERA
OV E R T H I S
CODE TO GET
THE LINK.
Biscotti
Biscotti
Cinnamon-Nut
prep 20 minutes
Browned Butter
Ginger Biscotti
Pictured on p. 30.
Pumpkin
Pictured on p. 31.
prep 20 minutes
bake 45 minutes at 325°F
bake 41 minutes at 325°F prep 20 minutes
cool 15 minutes
cool 15 minutes bake 41 minutes at 325°F
cool 15 minutes 23/4 cups all-purpose flour
21/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
11/2 cups + 4 tsp. sugar 1/2 cup butter
23/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
11/2 tsp. baking powder
11/2 tsp. baking powder
21/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 11/4 cups sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. salt 11/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs 1 tsp. salt
2 egg yolks (reserve 1 egg white) 1 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
6 Tbsp. butter, melted 2 eggs 1/3 cup butter, melted
1 egg
11/2 cups finely chopped walnuts 1 egg yolk
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup molasses
1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line Chopped candied ginger 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
(optional) 3/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
two large cookie sheets with
Coarse sanding sugar (optional) Melted white chocolate
parchment paper.
(optional)
2. In a large bowl combine flour,
11/2 cups of the sugar, the baking 1. In a small saucepan heat butter
over medium-low about 15 minutes or 1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line
powder, 1 tsp. of the cinnamon, and
until butter is browned and smells two large cookie sheets with
the salt. Make a well in center of flour
nutty. Immediately remove from heat. parchment paper.
mixture. In a small bowl whisk
Pour into a small bowl; let cool. 2. In a large bowl combine the first
together eggs, egg yolks, and melted
2. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line six ingredients (through pumpkin pie
butter. Add to flour mixture along
two large cookie sheets with spice). Make a well in center of flour
with walnuts. Stir until combined and
parchment paper. mixture. In a small bowl whisk
mixture starts to form a ball. Gently
3. In a large bowl combine the next together pumpkin, melted butter,
knead dough until it comes together.
five ingredients (through ginger). egg, and egg yolk. Add to flour
3. Divide dough into thirds. Shape
Make a well in center of flour mixture. mixture along with pecans and
each portion into an 8-inch roll. Place
Whisk eggs, egg yolk, and molasses cranberries. Stir until combined and
two rolls about 3 inches apart on one
into browned butter. Add to flour mixture starts to form a ball. Gently
of the prepared cookie sheets. Place
mixture. Stir until combined and knead dough until it comes together.
remaining roll on the remaining
mixture starts to form a ball. Gently 3. Turn dough out onto a lightly
cookie sheet. Flatten rolls to about
knead dough until it comes together. floured surface. Divide dough into
31/2 inches wide. In a small bowl stir
4. Divide dough into thirds. Shape thirds. Shape each portion into an
together the remaining 4 tsp. sugar
each portion into an 8-inch roll. Place 8-inch roll. Place two rolls 3 inches
and 11/2 tsp. cinnamon. Lightly beat
two rolls about 3 inches apart on one apart on one of the prepared cookie
the reserved egg white and brush
of the prepared cookie sheets. Place sheets. Place remaining roll on the
rolls. Sprinkle rolls generously with
remaining roll on the remaining remaining cookie sheet. Flatten rolls
cinnamon-sugar mixture.
cookie sheet. Flatten rolls to about to about 31/2 inches wide.
4. Bake on separate oven racks
about 25 minutes or until rolls are 31/2 inches wide. Sprinkle rolls with, if 4. Bake on separate oven racks
firm and light brown, rotating sheets using, chopped candied ginger and about 25 minutes or until rolls are
halfway through. Place cookie sheets coarse sugar. firm and light brown, rotating sheets
on wire racks; cool 15 minutes. 5. Bake on separate oven racks halfway through. Place cookie sheets
5. Transfer rolls to a cutting board. about 25 minutes or until rolls are on wire racks; cool 15 minutes.
Using a serrated knife, cut each firm and light brown, rotating sheets 5. Transfer rolls to a cutting board.
roll diagonally into 1/2-inch slices. halfway through. Place cookie sheets Using a serrated knife, cut each
Place slices, cut sides down, on on wire racks; cool 15 minutes. roll diagonally into 1/2-inch slices.
cookie sheets. 6. Transfer rolls to a cutting board. Place slices, cut sides down, on
6. Bake 8 minutes. Turn slices Using a serrated knife, cut each cookie sheets.
over; bake 8 to 10 minutes more roll diagonally into 1/2-inch slices. 6. Bake 10 minutes. Turn slices over;
or until crisp and light golden Place slices, cut sides down, on bake about 10 minutes more or until
brown. Remove; cool on a wire rack. cookie sheets. crisp and golden brown. Remove;
Makes 30 cookies. 7. Bake 8 minutes. Turn slices over; cool on a wire rack. Dip cooled
per cookie 147 cal., 7 g fat (2 g sat. bake 8 to 10 minutes more or until cookies in or drizzle with melted
fat), 31 mg chol., 128 mg sodium, 20 g crisp and light golden brown. white chocolate (if using) and sprinkle
carb., 1 g fiber, 11 g sugars, 3 g pro. Remove; cool on a wire rack. Makes with additional chopped dried
30 cookies. cranberries. Makes 30 cookies.
per cookie 116 cal., 4 g fat (2 g sat. per cookie 134 cal., 4 g fat (2 g sat.
fat), 27 mg chol., 133 mg sodium, 19 g fat), 18 mg chol., 123 mg sodium, 23 g
carb., 0 g fiber, 10 g sugars, 2 g pro. carb., 1 g fiber, 13 g sugars, 2 g pro.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 33
EVERYTHING SHORTBREAD
P. 37
Savor
C O OK I E S TO
34 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
MANCHEGO THUMBPRINTS
WITH FIG PRESERVES
P. 37
BLUE CHEESE AND
DRIED CHERRY
OATME AL COOKIES
FREEZE FOR
LATER
Dough logs can be
frozen up to
3 months. If freezing,
place wrapped logs
in a resealable
freezer bag. Thaw
about 10 minutes
or until soft enough
to cut without
crumbling. Bake as
directed, adding
1 to 2 minutes to
baking time.
S E T T H E S E S AV O R Y C O O K I E S O U T F O R P R E - M E A L
feature
NIBBLES, OR
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 37
G J OY
B R IN
K I T S AY S —
O K I E WO W N O O N
CO IN T FTER S S
N A P A
O
THE
U T
A F JECT WHILE HE
P R O T I M E OW N T S
Package
T H E I N G D I ST M A T
TOTA L DA
U N
C O YS TO
T
A
C HR TREA
E E T
SW H E N T H E Y
A N D J OY W N E .
E N D O
TO AR E
GET IT TOGETHER! Line gift boxes with tissue paper. Arrange one-fourth of the Maple Cutout Cookies (p. 40) in each box.
(Tie them with bakers twine, if you like.) Divide sprinkles among plastic bags or jars; add them to each gift box. Divide
Maple Frosting (p. 40) among disposable decorating bags; twist open ends and tie with knots or secure with twist ties.
(Add a note to snip off the tips of the bags when ready to decorate.) Add frosting bags to each box. If you like, add an
inspiration photo for decorating cookies. Close boxes and decorate with ribbon as desired.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 39
GIVE IDEAS
Include a
snapshot of our
decorated
cookies to
inspire and get
the creative
juices flowing.
1 cup butter, softened 1. In a large bowl beat butter cookie cutters, cut out dough. MAPLE FROSTING In a large
1 cup granulated sugar with a mixer on medium to high Place 2 inches apart on bowl beat 1 cup shortening,
1 tsp. baking soda 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking ungreased cookie sheets. 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, and
1 tsp. cream of tartar soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Reroll scraps as needed. 2 tsp. vanilla with a mixer on
1/2 tsp. salt Beat until combined, scraping 3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until medium until fluffy. Gradually
1 egg bowl as needed. Beat in egg, edges just start to brown. beat in 4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup syrup, and vanilla. Beat in flour. Remove; cool on wire racks. until combined. If necessary,
1 tsp. vanilla Cover and chill 30 to 60 minutes Makes 48 cookies. beat in enough water (1 tsp.
21/2 cups all-purpose flour
or until dough is easy to handle. per cookie 181 cal., 9 g fat at a time) to make frosting
1 recipe Maple Frosting
2. Preheat oven to 375°F. On a (5 g sat. fat), 14 mg chol., 83 mg spreading consistency. If
well-floured surface, roll dough sodium, 21 g carb., 0 g fiber, desired, tint portions of frosting
to 1/8 inch thick. Using 3-inch 18 g sugars, 1 g pro. with gel food coloring.
FROST YOUR
TREES
Turn tree with tip
toward you. Pipe
five dots of
frosting in a row
near the tree trunk.
Use a butter knife
or small spatula to
pull dots toward
the tree tip. Repeat
with a row each of
four, three, and
two. Finish with
one dot at tip.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 41
CR O S S-
Coo k i
C OU N TRY
e s
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
FROM SEA TO SHINING
SEA FOR A TASTE-FILLED
TREK ACROSS THE NATION.
THESE COOKIES ARE
INSPIRED BY THE FLAVORS
AND SPECIALTIES FROM
SOME OF OUR GREAT
AMERICAN CITIES, STATES,
AND REGIONS.
42 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
The t
t h e s h ic k , go
h o
in s p i o re s of O ey m u d f
ra l o
s h a r i t io n b e h d M a n R i u n d a lo n
n in ve g
c h o c g t h e M is d m an y c r is t h e
o si h
a n d t l a t e f l avo s s i p p i M u o c o l a t e d
oas te r, f lu d mo esse
Recip d Sout f f y ma n ike r. rts—p
e p. 5 hern r s O ie s
7
p e c a h m a l l ow u r t a ke h , c a ke s , c
ns. to p p as in
in g , t e n s e o o k ie s —
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 43
HUCKLEBERRY
JAM NOT AVAILABLE
LOCALLY? BUY A
JAR ONLINE OR
SUBSTITUTE WILD
BLUEBERRY OR
BLACKBERRY JAM
OR PRESERVES.
Montana huckleberries
are similar to wild blueberries
in size and flavor, but they
have a special richness all
their own. If you can’t
go there yourself to pick wild
berries before the bears
get them, enjoy their intense
flavor in these jewellike
thumbprint cookies.
Recipe p. 57
Gooey butter cakes
are the result of a
happy accident,
or so we’re told.
The origin story says
the first cake
came about in
the 1930s when
a rookie baker in
St. Louis mixed up
the amounts of
butter and sugar
in a cake recipe.
The result was too
good to throw
out and an
addictively sweet
confection was born.
Recipe p. 58
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 45
h e r n o u ld
S o u t Yo u c e
i e i s a i n ia . u t th
s p o V ir g , b
h e s t o w n
u f f ic e l y
C
h t ie s t o r y d o k . S u t t e r
r t w it it s h i s l a b o , a n d
se n f il et e
de s t o p i o u ld e , s we a rs u s s u n n y
t r y r i e s w i m p l e s e b it h a t h e
s to y, it ’s s n g . T h m ilk w ad of
s a f o r ti t te r in s te gar.
t o u
it c o m n e d b j u ic e o f v i n e
a s h io m on nful
-f le o
o ld as h of al s p o e p. 58
ip
s p l d it i o n Rec
t ra
46 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Boston Cream Pielettes
prep 35 minutes bake 6 minutes per batch at 375°F chill 3 hours
pastry cream In a
small bowl whisk together
2 Tbsp. whole milk, 1 egg yolk,
4 tsp. cornstarch, and 1 tsp.
all-purpose flour. In a small
saucepan combine 1 cup whole
milk, ¹∕4 cup sugar, and ¹∕8 tsp.
salt. Bring to boiling, stirring to
dissolve sugar. Gradually pour
about half of the hot milk
mixture into the yolk mixture,
whisking to combine. Add all
of the yolk mixture to the
saucepan. Cook and stir until
thickened and bubbly. Whisk
in 1 Tbsp. butter and ¹∕2 tsp.
vanilla. Transfer to a bowl.
Cover the surface of the pastry
cream with plastic wrap. Chill
2 hours or until cold.
Texas red
grapefruit are a
winter treat that
deserves more than
a place on your
breakfast table.
Sweet, delicate
shortbread is the
perfect cookie for
letting the flavor
of its zest and juice
shine through.
Recipe p. 58
pecan Pie Bars
prep 30 minutes bake 45 minutes at 350°F cool 2 hours 20 minutes
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 49
Ore-gone Trail Cookies
prep 25 minutes bake 8 minutes per batch at 375°F
50 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Sweet, juicy Georgia
peaches are hard to
come by in winter,
but you can get that
peaches and cream
vibe with good
peach preserves
over a cheese-
cakey filling and
shortbreadlike crust.
Recipe p. 58
ov ed
e st-l tate. llow
t h e b this s hma
e of ly in mars
o n cial ff y
m e
m e r
a f lu o d.
b eco com und ed go
t h as sold aro wick
ea first iche le ofd
tr
m ish was andw eir tit
n ia A e and are s ve th
y lva ain kies eser p. 59
e n ns in M oo ly d cipe
P ods e c tru Re
h is la t
T rt fo co them
m fo cho ing
co nsely mak
in te lling
Soft fi
Easier to
make than the
candies
named for this
iconic nut,
these chocolate
and peanut
butter cookies
have just as
much appeal in
cookie form.
Recipe p. 59
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 53
p ie is w h a t y ou make
Brown sugar t le s o mething
a n t a lit
when you w ’t h av e a lo t of
td o n
for dessert bu o u thern pie is
n t s . T h is S
ingredie u t t h e pecans.
w it h o
like pecan pie it e s t h at bars
The sm all e r b
v id e g iv e y o u just
pro
enough of this
sweet treat.
Recipe p. 59
54 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
These cookies are the
perfect balance of light
golden cookie topped
with a dense chocolate
concoction that is a
cross between icing and
fudge—the yin and yang of
cookiedom inspired by the
original from Charm City.
Recipe p. 59
New York City’s chocolate chip
cookies are big chocolaty handfuls
of heaven. It’s important to
serve this homage to that classic
cookie warm, so if you can’t eat
them right away, follow the directions
for storing the dough balls and
baking them on demand.
B A K E Y O U R WAY across the
country TO EXPERIENCE ICONIC
R E G I O N A L F L AV O R S .
airtight container; cover. Store with a mixer on medium to high ¹∕4 tsp. salt
Giant Gooey in the refrigerator up to 1 week 2 minutes or until thickened 1 cup butter, softened
Cookies
Chocolate Chip or freeze up to 3 months. and lighter in color, scraping ¹∕2 cup packed brown sugar
Bake refrigerated dough as bowl as needed. Beat in ¹∕3 cup granulated sugar
directed. Bake frozen dough melted chocolate mixture. 1 egg
prep 20 minutes
at 375°F 16 to 18 minutes. Add flour mixture; beat until 1 tsp. vanilla
chill 1 hour 30 minutes
per cookie 649 cal., 39 g combined. Cover surface of ¹∕2 tsp. orange zest
bake 13 minutes per batch
at 400°F fat (18 g sat. fat), 86 mg chol., dough with plastic wrap. Let ²∕3 cup huckleberry jam or
286 mg sodium, 75 g carb., preserves
cool 15 minutes stand 20 minutes (dough
4 g fiber, 45 g sugars, 9 g pro. Crushed freeze-dried
thickens as it stands).
3¹∕3 cups all-purpose flour raspberries (optional)
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line
¹∕4 cup cornstarch
Cookies
1 tsp. kosher salt Mississippi Mud cookie sheets with parchment
1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line
paper. Drop dough by
¹∕2 tsp. baking soda cookie sheets with parchment
teaspoons 2 inches apart on paper. In a food processor
1¹∕4 cups butter, melted Pictured on p. 43. the prepared cookie sheets. pulse pecans until finely
1¹∕4 cups packed brown sugar prep 25 minutes Bake about 8 minutes or until ground. In a medium bowl
¹∕2 cup granulated sugar cool 10 minutes
3 eggs, lightly beaten edges are firm. Cool 2 minutes combine pecans, flour,
stand 20 minutes
2 cups coarsely chopped bake 8 minutes per batch on cookie sheet. Remove; cool cinnamon, and salt.
walnuts, toasted at 350°F on a wire rack. 2. In a large bowl beat butter
1 12-oz. pkg. semisweet 4. For frosting, in a medium with a mixer on medium to high
chocolate chunks or chips 7 oz. bittersweet chocolate, bowl beat softened butter with 30 seconds. Add both sugars.
(2 cups) chopped a mixer on medium 30 seconds. Beat 3 minutes or until light
¹∕2 cup milk chocolate chips 5 oz. unsweetened Beat in marshmallow creme and fluffy, scraping bowl as
or dark chocolate chips chocolate, chopped until smooth. Beat in powdered needed. Beat in egg, vanilla,
¹∕2 cup butter, cut up sugar until light and fluffy. and orange zest. Stir in flour
1. In a medium bowl sift ¹∕3 cup all-purpose flour 5. For chocolate drizzle, in a mixture until combined.
together flour, cornstarch, ¹∕4 tsp. baking powder small saucepan heat and stir 3. Roll dough in 1-inch balls.
salt, and baking soda. In a ¹∕4 tsp. salt
chocolate chips and shortening Place 2 inches apart on
1 cup granulated sugar
large bowl stir together butter over low until smooth. prepared cookie sheets.
³∕4 cup packed brown sugar
and both sugars. Stir in eggs, 6. Spread cooled cookies with Press your thumb into the
4 eggs
one at a time, until combined. marshmallow frosting. Drizzle center of each ball. Bake 12 to
¹∕2 cup butter, softened
Stir in flour mixture until with chocolate drizzle and 15 minutes or until edges are
1 7-oz. jar marshmallow creme
combined. Stir in walnuts sprinkle with pecans. Let stand browned. Cool on cookie sheet
1 cup powdered sugar
and chocolate chips. 1 cup semisweet chocolate until set. Makes 66 cookies. 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire
2. Cover and chill dough chips per cookie 118 cal., 7 g fat rack to cool completely.
1 hour. Portion dough into 1 Tbsp. shortening (4 g sat. fat), 19 mg chol., 41 mg 4. Before serving, spoon
heaping ¹∕3-cup balls (14 dough ¹∕2 cup chopped pecans, sodium, 14 g carb., 1 g fiber, jam into center of each
balls). Cover and chill dough toasted 11 g sugars, 1 g pro. cookie. Sprinkle with
balls 30 minutes. freeze-dried raspberries (if
3. Preheat oven to 400°F. 1. For cookies, in a 2-qt. using). Makes 60 cookies.
Line two cookie sheets with saucepan combine bittersweet Huckleberry per cookie 82 cal., 5 g fat
Cookies
parchment paper. Evenly and unsweetened chocolates Jam Thumbprint (2 g sat. fat), 11 mg chol., 37 mg
space seven dough portions and cut-up butter. Heat and sodium, 9 g carb., 0 g fiber,
on each cookie sheet. Bake stir over low until melted and 5 g sugars, 1 g pro.
Pictured on p. 44.
13 to 14 minutes or until smooth. Remove from heat.
prep 20 minutes
golden. Cool on cookie sheets Cool 10 minutes. In a small
bake 12 minutes per batch
15 minutes. Serve warm. Makes bowl combine flour, baking at 325°F
14 cookies. powder, and salt.
To Make Ahead Prepare as 2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl 1¹∕2 cups pecans
directed through Step 2. combine granulated sugar, 2 cups all-purpose flour
Transfer dough balls to an brown sugar, and eggs. Beat ¹∕2 tsp. ground cinnamon
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 57
Cake Squares Bars
Gooey Butter Lemon Chess Pie Ruby Red
Grapefruit
Peaches and
Cream Bars
Cookies
Pictured on p. 45.
prep 20 minutes
Pictured on p. 46. Shortbread Pictured on p. 51.
prep 20 minutes
prep 20 minutes
bake 30 minutes at 350°F bake 35 minutes at 350°F bake 30 minutes at 375°F
chill overnight Pictured on p. 48.
Nonstick cooking spray prep 20 minutes Nonstick cooking spray
3/4 cup butter, softened 11/2 cups plus 2 Tbsp. bake 18 minutes per batch 11/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar all-purpose flour at 325°F 1 cup pecans
1 tsp. baking powder 2 cups plus 3 Tbsp. sugar 1 cup plus 2 tsp. all-purpose
1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. salt 11/4 cups all-purpose flour flour
3 egg 1/2 cup chilled butter, cut up 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar 1/2 cup butter, cut up
3 tsp. vanilla 6 eggs 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. almond extract 2 Tbsp. white cornmeal 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. vanilla
11/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup butter, cut up 1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese,
1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter, melted 1 Tbsp. ruby red grapefruit softened
softened 1 Tbsp. lemon zest zest 1 egg
21/2 cups powdered sugar 1/2 cup lemon juice 2 tsp. ruby red grapefruit juice 1 12-oz. jar peach preserves
11/2 tsp. vanilla 1/2 tsp. pink sanding sugar (1 cup)
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Powdered sugar (optional) 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Lightly grease a 13×9-inch 1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
baking pan. 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 1. Preheat oven to 325°F. In a Line a 13×9-inch baking pan
2. For crust, in a medium bowl Line a 13×9-inch baking pan medium bowl stir together with foil, extending foil over
beat 1/2 cup of the butter with a with foil, extending foil over flour, granulated sugar, ginger, edges. Lightly coat foil with
mixer on medium 30 seconds. edges. Lightly coat foil with and cinnamon. Using a pastry cooking spray.
Add granulated sugar, baking cooking spray. blender, cut in butter and 2. In a food processor
powder, and 1/4 tsp. of the salt. 2. For crust, in a food grapefruit zest until mixture combine 1 cup of the sugar
Beat on medium, scraping processor combine 11/2 cups resembles fine crumbs and and the pecans. Pulse until nuts
bowl as needed. Beat in 1 of of the flour, 3 Tbsp. of the starts to cling. Form the mixture are finely ground. Add 1 cup of
the eggs, 2 tsp. of the vanilla, sugar, and 1/2 tsp. of the salt. into a ball and knead gently the flour, the butter, salt, and
and the almond extract. Beat Pulse to combine. Add until smooth. 1/2 tsp. of the vanilla. Pulse until
in flour just until combined. chilled butter; pulse until 2. Roll dough into a 51/2-inch the mixture is crumbly.
Spread in the prepared pan. crumbly. Press evenly into log. If necessary, wrap in 3. Press half of the mixture
3. For filling, in a medium bowl the prepared pan. plastic wrap and chill about (about 2 cups) evenly into the
beat cream cheese and the 3. For filling, in a medium bowl 30 minutes or until firm enough prepared pan.
remaining 1/4 cup butter with a lightly beat the eggs. Add to cut log into 1/2-inch slices. 4. In a medium bowl beat
mixer on medium 30 seconds. cornmeal and the remaining Cut each slice in half crosswise cream cheese with a mixer on
Beat in powdered sugar and 2 cups sugar, 2 Tbsp. flour, and to make a half-moon shape. medium 30 seconds. Add egg
the remaining 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 tsp. salt. Whisk to combine. Place 1 inch apart on and the remaining 1/4 cup
and 1/4 tsp. salt. Beat in the Whisk in the next five ungreased cookie sheets. sugar, 2 tsp. flour, and 1/2 tsp.
remaining 2 eggs, one at a ingredients (through vanilla). Prick cookies with a fork to vanilla. Beat until combined.
time, until combined. Pour Pour filling over crust. make a segment pattern. Drop mixture by spoonfuls
batter over crust. 4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or 3. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until onto crust. Spread to an even
4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until edges are golden brown bottoms just start to brown and layer. Top with peach
until golden. Cool in pan on and center is almost set (the centers are set. Remove; cool preserves. Sprinkle remaining
a wire rack. Cover and chill center should just jiggle). Cool on a wire rack. crust mixture over the top and
overnight. Dust with additional in pan on a wire rack. Use foil 4. In a small bowl stir together spread to an even layer.
powdered sugar. Cut into bars. to lift out uncut bars. Cut into grapefruit juice and sanding 5. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or
Makes 36 bars. bars. If you like, just before sugar. Stir in powdered sugar until golden. Cool in pan on a
Note: These bars are best serving, sift powdered sugar until smooth. Spread icing on wire rack. Use foil to lift uncut
served the day after baking. over bars. Refrigerate bars in curved edges of cooled bars from pan. Cut into bars.
per bar 122 cal., 6 g fat (4 g sat. an airtight container up to cookies. If you like, sprinkle with Refrigerate in an airtight
fat), 32 mg chol., 102 mg sodium, 5 days. Makes 32 bars. additional pink sanding sugar. container up to 5 days. Makes
15 g carb., 0 g fiber, 11 g sugars, per bar 146 cal., 7 g fat Let stand until set. Makes 32 bars.
1 g pro. (4 g sat. fat), 50 mg chol., 22 cookies. per bar 147 cal., 8 g fat (4 g sat.
141 mg sodium, 20 g carb., per cookie 81 cal., 4 g fat fat), 21 mg chol., 87 mg sodium,
0 g fiber, 14 g sugars, 2 g pro. (3 g sat. fat), 11 mg chol., 19 g carb., 1 g fiber, 13 g sugars,
33 mg sodium, 10 g carb., 1 g pro.
0 g fiber, 4 g sugars, 1 g pro.
58 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Berger of
Wicked Good
Pies
creme and 2 tsp. vanilla. Beat 5. Dip tops of cooled cookies
in 13/4 cups powdered sugar
Baltimore
in melted chocolate mixture.
Whoopie
Pictured on p. 52.
prep 20 minutes
until light and fluffy.
per sandwich cookie
356 cal., 14 g fat (9 g sat. fat),
Chill 10 minutes or until
chocolate is set. Top each
cookie with about 1 tsp. peanut
Cookies
Pictured on p. 55.
bake 10 minutes per batch
43 mg chol., 284 mg sodium, butter mixture. Refrigerate in prep 30 minutes
at 350°F
55 g carb., 2 g fiber, an airtight container up to bake 9 minutes per batch
2 cups all-purpose flour 38 g sugars, 3 g pro. 1 week. Makes 50 cookies. at 350°F
1/2 cup unsweetened per cookie 176 cal., 10 g fat
4 cups cake flour
Buckeye
Cookies
Dutch-process cocoa (5 g sat. fat), 17 mg chol., 105 mg
1 Tbsp. baking powder
powder sodium, 21 g carb., 1 g fiber,
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda 15 g sugars, 3 g pro.
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 tsp. salt Pictured on p. 53.
11/2 cups sugar
1/2
Brown Sugar Pie
cup butter, softened prep 30 minutes
Bars
2 egg whites
1 cup packed brown sugar bake 8 minutes per batch
1 tsp. instant espresso at 375°F 1/4 cup half-and-half or
whole milk
coffee powder chill 10 minutes Pictured on p. 54. 1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 egg prep 20 minutes
1 cup butter, softened 1 recipe Fudge Frosting
1 tsp. vanilla bake 50 minutes at 350°F
1 cup buttermilk 1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line
1/3 cup miniature semisweet Nonstick cooking spray
chocolate chips 1 tsp. baking soda 11/2 cups all-purpose flour cookie sheets with parchment
1 recipe Marshmallow Filling 1/2 tsp. salt 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar paper. In a medium bowl
Colored sprinkles or 2 eggs 1 tsp. salt combine cake flour, baking
jimmies or crushed striped 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 cup cold butter, cut up powder, and salt.
round peppermint candies 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa 3 eggs 2. In a large bowl beat butter
powder 31/3 cups packed brown sugar with a mixer on medium
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 21/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup butter, melted 30 seconds. Add sugar. Beat
cookie sheets with parchment 1 cup creamy peanut butter 2 tsp. vanilla about 3 minutes or until light
paper. In a medium bowl 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/2 tsp. almond extract and fluffy, scraping bowl as
combine flour, cocoa powder, 3 cups semisweet chocolate needed. Beat in egg whites,
baking soda, and salt. chips 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. half-and-half, and vanilla. Add
2. In a large bowl beat butter 2 Tbsp. shortening Line a 13×9-inch baking pan flour mixture one-third at a
with a mixer on medium with foil, extending foil over time, beating until combined.
30 seconds. Add brown sugar 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a edges. Lightly coat foil with 3. Drop dough by 1-Tbsp.
and espresso powder. Beat large bowl beat butter with cooking spray. portions 3 inches apart onto
until light and fluffy, scraping a mixer on medium to high 2. For crust, in a food prepared cookie sheets. Press
bowl as needed. Beat in egg 30 seconds. Add brown and processor combine flour, to flatten to 1/2 inch thick. Bake
and vanilla. Alternately add granulated sugars, baking granulated sugar, and 9 to 10 minutes or until edges
flour mixture and buttermilk, soda, and salt. Beat until 1/2 tsp. of the salt. Pulse to are lightly browned. Remove;
beating after each addition combined, scraping bowl as combine. Add cold butter; cool on wire racks.
until combined. Stir in needed. Beat in eggs and pulse until crumbly. Press 4. Dip bottoms of cookies in
chocolate chips. vanilla. Beat in cocoa powder evenly into the prepared pan. warm Fudge Frosting. Spread
3. Drop dough by 11/2-Tbsp. until combined. Beat in as Bake about 15 minutes or until any remaining frosting on the
portions 2 inches apart on much of the flour as you can lightly browned. cookies; let stand, frosted sides
prepared cookie sheets. Bake with the mixer. Stir in any 3. For filling, in a medium bowl up, until set. Makes 54 cookies.
about 10 minutes or until remaining flour. lightly beat eggs. Whisk in
cookies spring back when 2. Drop dough by 1-Tbsp. brown sugar, melted butter, FUDGE FROSTING In a
lightly touched. Cool portions 2 inches apart onto vanilla, almond extract, and medium saucepan combine
completely on cookie sheets. ungreased cookie sheets. the remaining 1/2 tsp. salt until one 12-oz. pkg. semisweet
4. Spread bottoms of half of Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until combined. Pour over hot crust. chocolate chips (2 cups),
the cookies with Marshmallow edges are firm and centers 4. Bake about 35 minutes or 3/4 cup heavy cream, and
Filling. Top with bottoms of appear set. Remove; cool on until filling slightly jiggles when 2 Tbsp. light-color corn syrup.
remaining cookies. Roll a wire rack. pan is tapped. Cool in pan on Bring to boiling over medium,
edges in sprinkles. Makes 3. In a small bowl stir together a wire rack (filling will continue stirring frequently. Remove
16 sandwich cookies. peanut butter and powdered to set as it cools). Use foil to lift from heat. Whisk in 11/2 cups
sugar until smooth. out uncut bars. Cut into bars. powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla,
MARSHMALLOW FILLING 4. In a medium heavy Makes 48 bars. and a pinch salt until smooth.
In a medium bowl beat 1/2 cup saucepan, heat chocolate per bar 115 cal., 4 g fat (3 g sat. per cookie 149 cal., 7 g fat
softened butter with a mixer on chips and shortening over low fat), 22 mg chol., 88 mg sodium, (4 g sat. fat), 13 mg chol., 105 mg
medium 30 seconds. Beat in until melted and smooth, 19 g carb., 0 g fiber, 16 g sugars, sodium, 22 g carb., 1 g fiber,
one 7-oz. jar marshmallow stirring occasionally. 1 g pro. 13 g sugars, 1 g pro.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 59
BROWNED BUTTER
CARDAMOM PEPPARKAKOR,
P. 63
60 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Simplicity
NORDIC
CLEAN LINES
AND MINIMAL
EMBELLISHMENT
ARE THE
HALLMARKS
OF SCANDINAVIAN
STYLE, AND
THEY’RE THE
THEME OF THESE
LIGHTLY SPICED
CUTOUTS WITH
LOW-KEY ICING
DESIGNS.
THIS YEAR, THE
MOST STRIKING
COOKIES ON THE
TRAY ARE
ALSO THE EASIEST
TO CREATE.
DECORATE
The beauty of these designs is
they were all done with a pastry
bag fitted with the same small
round decorating tip (available at
crafts supply stores). Use these
ideas as inspiration, or create
your own icing artistry.
USE CUTTERS
IN ASSORTED
SHAPES, SUCH
AS STARS,
REINDEER,
SNOWFLAKES,
AND TREES.
62 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Browned Butter royal Icing
Pepparkakor
Cardamom start to finish 15 minutes
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 63
THESE ENORMOUS, OVERSTUFFED
COOKIES ARE OVER-THE-TOP FANTASTIC WITH
TASTY SECRETS TUCKED INSIDE.
JUMBO CARMELITA
prep 20 minutes chill 30 minutes
Cookies
bake 14 minutes at 375°F stand 15 minutes
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 65
MAKE SURE TO
COMPLETELY AND
EVENLY COVER THE
MINT PATTY WITH
DOUGH FOR A
GOOD SEAL.
MINT-STUFFED DARK CHOCOLATE
prep 25 minutes bake 10 minutes at 350°F
Cookies
11/2 cups all-purpose flour 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line with a mint patty. Drop another
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa cookie sheets with parchment rounded tablespoon of dough
powder paper or silicone baking mats. onto mint patty. Spread dough
1/2 tsp. baking powder In a medium bowl whisk around mint patty to cover
1/8 tsp. salt together flour, cocoa powder, completely. Repeat with
1/4 cup butter, softened baking powder, and salt. In a remaining dough and mint
1/4 cup canola oil large bowl beat butter with a patties, placing 21/2 inches
1/2 cup packed brown sugar mixer on medium 30 seconds. apart on cookie sheets.
1/4 cup granulated sugar Beat in oil, brown sugar, and Generously top with sprinkles.
1 egg 3. Bake about 10 minutes or just
granulated sugar until
1 tsp. vanilla until edges are set. Cool on
combined. Beat in egg and
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate,
vanilla. Beat in flour mixture. Stir cookie sheets 1 minute. Remove;
finely chopped
in chopped chocolate. cool completely on a wire rack.
9 chocolate-covered
2. Drop a rounded tablespoon Makes 9 cookies.
cream-filled mint patties or
of dough onto a prepared per cookie 377 cal., 18 g fat
chocolate sandwich cookies
cookie sheet; flatten slightly. Top (8 g sat. fat), 35 mg chol., 117 mg
with green mint filling
sodium, 53 g carb., 2 g fiber,
Green sprinkles
32 g sugars, 4 g pro.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 67
LET’S GET festive! M A K E T H E H O L I D AY S M E R R I E R
B Y S WA P P I N G I N R E D , G R E E N , A N D W H I T E S P R I N K L E S .
STUFFED CONFETTI
prep 20 minutes
Cookies
bake 10 minutes at 375°F
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 69
TWEAK A BASIC SCOOP-AND-DROP COOKIE DOUGH WITH YOUR
FAVORITE MIX-INS AND PICK THE SHAPE—MINI OR GIANT COOKIES,
SANDWICHES, OR BARS. YOUR IMAGINATION MAKES THEM YOUR OWN.
Dough
M ANY WAYS
BASIC DROP
COOKIE DOUGH
P. 73
70 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
BAKING CHIPS DRIED FRUITS
NUTS CEREAL
PURCHASED COOKIES
CANDY
OTHER IDEAS
ALL THE POSSIBILITIES These are just some ideas for goodies to stir into Basic Drop Cookie Dough (p. 73). Chop, snip, or
break up cookies, nuts, candy, and dried fruit into the size pieces you like. Make them small for mini cookies but bigger for giant cookies.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 71
PICK
YOUR
PORTION
MINI COOKIES
Drop dough by
rounded
teaspoons or a
small cookie
scoop 2 inches
apart onto
ungreased
cookie sheets.
Bake 6 to
8 minutes. Makes
72 cookies. TRY THIS
STIR-IN COMBO
³∕4 cup dark
STANDARD chocolate chips +
COOKIES ³∕4 cup chocolate
sandwich cookies,
Follow recipe, crushed
opposite. Makes
36 cookies.
72 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Basic DROP
COOKIE DOUGH
PREP 30 minutes
BAKE 12 minutes per batch at 375°F
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 73
FL AV ORS
Mexic
OF
THESE SIMPLE,
BUTTERY GALLETAS
(COOKIES) ARE LACED
WITH WARMING
FLAVORS—AROMATIC
CINNAMON AND
ANISE, KICKY CHILES,
TANGY CITRUS, AND
SHOTS OF TEQUILA
AND RUMCHATA.
CITRUS RUMCHATA
Biscchitos
prep 30 minutes
chill 1 hour
bake 10 minutes per batch at 350°F
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 75
SPICED
Polvorones
prep 40 minutes
bake 5 minutes at 350°F +
15 minutes per batch at 325°F
chill 1 hour
shortbread texture
bowl combine the remaining
1/2 cup powdered sugar and
of polvorones
T H E D E L I G H T F U L LY C R U M B LY
1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Sprinkle
over cooled cookies. Makes P A I R S U P W I T H B A C K G R O U N D F L AV O R S
32 cookies. OF CINNAMON AND CARDAMOM.
per cookie 118 cal., 8 g fat
FOR A FESTIVE TOUCH, PLACE STENCILS OR
(4 g sat. fat), 15 mg chol.,
46 mg sodium, 10 g carb., D O I L I E S OV E R CO O K I E S B E FO R E S I FT I N G W I T H
1 g fiber, 4 g sugars, 2 g pro. THE POWDERED SUGAR MIXTURE.
PALOMA
prep 30 minutes
Bars
chill 45 minutes
bake 20 minutes at 350°F and
25 minutes at 300°F
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 77
MASA
HARINA
Masa harina is a
specialized corn
flour used for
making tortillas.
Cornmeal is not
a suitable
substitute since
it lacks the
distinctive flavor
of masa harina.
DULCE
DE LECHE
& CAJETA
Dulce de leche
MASA HARINA
Thumbprints
is a sweet
caramel sauce
made from milk.
WITH CAJETA
prep 40 minutes Cajeta is a type
bake 12 minutes per batch of dulce de
at 375°F leche made with
goat’s milk for
2 Tbsp. instant espresso special flavor.
Find it online or
coffee powder
in specialty
1/2 cup hot water stores.
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups masa harina
2/3 cup cajeta or dulce de
leche
4 oz. unsweetened
chocolate, chopped
1/3 cup avocado oil or
canola oil
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. ancho chile powder
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
13/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup buckwheat flour or
whole wheat flour
2/3 cup powdered sugar
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 79
Java
JUST
A DD
COOKIES GET
CAFFEINATED!
INSTEAD OF
DUNKING
COOKIES IN YOUR
CUP OF JOE,
YOU’LL FIND THE
COFFEE FLAVOR IS
INSIDE THESE
MADE-TO-ORDER
TREATS.
INSTANT
ESPRESSO
coffee powder,
which is very finely
ground and
dissolves readily,
contributes a deep,
rich flavor to cookie
and bar recipes.
Look for
it in the coffee aisle
of large
supermarkets.
INSTANT COFFEE
CRYSTALS
are coarser-looking
than espresso
powder but still
easily dissolve.
They will deliver
a lighter-roast
coffee flavor
to cookies.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 81
WHAT IS
DALGONA
COFFEE?
Thick, creamy
dalgona is
made by
whisking or
beating equal
parts instant
cofee, sugar,
and warm water
until flufy. As a
drink, it’s used
to top hot or
cold milk. Here,
it tops sweet
little tarts.
1/2 cup plus 3 Tbsp. butter, butter and 1/3 cup of the and 1/3 cup mascarpone with a and fluffy. Spoon or pipe
softened mascarpone with a mixer on mixer on medium until smooth. topping on tarts. Sift cocoa
2/3 cup mascarpone cheese medium until combined. Stir in Beat in cream until combined. powder (if using) over tarts.
1 cup all-purpose flour flour. Knead gently by hand until Beat in powdered sugar until Serve immediately or chill up to
3 Tbsp. heavy cream smooth. Shape dough into fluffy, scraping bowl as 2 hours. Makes 24 tarts.
21/4 cups powdered sugar 24 balls. Press balls into bottoms needed. Fill cooled tarts with To Store Place unfilled tarts in
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar and up sides of 24 ungreased mascarpone mixture. Cover an airtight container; cover.
2 Tbsp. instant espresso cofee 13/4-inch muffin cups. and chill 2 to 24 hours or Store in the refrigerator up to
powder or instant cofee 2. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until until set. 3 days. Store unfilled tarts in
crystals golden. If necessary, use the 4. For topping, up to 2 hours freezer up to 3 months. Fill and
2 Tbsp. warm water rounded side of a teaspoon to before serving, in a small bowl top tarts as directed in steps
Unsweetened cocoa powder press centers of crusts down. combine granulated sugar, 2 and 3.
(optional) Cool in pan 5 minutes. Remove; coffee powder, and the warm per tart 149 cal., 9 g fat (5 g sat.
cool on a wire rack. water. Beat with a mixer on fat), 25 mg chol., 45 mg sodium,
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a 3. For filling, in a medium bowl medium or whisk vigorously 17 g carb., 0 g fiber, 12 g sugars,
medium bowl beat 1/2 cup of the beat the remaining 3 Tbsp. butter about 2 minutes or until light 1 g pro.
COFFEE COOKIE
Bars
prep 20 minutes
bake 25 minutes at 350°F
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 83
PUMPKIN SPICE DARK CHOCOLATE
LATTE CHEWY Rounds
SUGAR Cookies
Pictured on p. 80.
WITH ESPRESSO
BUTTERCREAM
prep 20 minutes
Thumbprints
dark chocolate
2 egg yolks 2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. heavy cream 1 Tbsp. instant espresso
Pictured on p. 81. 21/4 cups all-purpose flour coffee powder or instant
prep 30 minutes bake 8 minutes at 375°F chill 30 minutes
coffee crystals
4 oz. white baking chocolate, melted white chocolate, and the 1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line 2 Tbsp. heavy cream
chopped remaining 1/4 tsp. peppermint cookie sheets with parchment
3/4 cup heavy cream extract. Beat on low just until paper. In a large bowl beat 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line
3/4 tsp. peppermint extract combined. In a medium bowl butter with a mixer on medium cookie sheets with parchment
1 cup butter, softened whisk together flour, coffee 30 seconds. Add pumpkin, paper. In a large bowl beat
3/4 cup powdered sugar powder, baking powder, and 2 cups of the sugar, 1 Tbsp. of 1 cup of the butter with a mixer
1/4 cup packed brown sugar salt. Gradually add to butter the coffee powder, the baking on medium 30 seconds. Beat in
1 egg yolk mixture, beating on low just soda, cream of tartar, 1/2 tsp. granulated and brown sugars
2 oz. white baking chocolate, of the pumpkin pie spice, and
until combined. If necessary, and baking soda until light and
melted
knead by hand until dough the salt. Beat until combined, fluffy, scraping bowl as needed.
21/2 cups all-purpose flour
comes together. scraping bowl as needed. Beat in egg, milk, and 1 tsp. of
1 Tbsp. instant espresso
3. Shape dough into balls using Beat in egg yolks and 1 Tbsp. the vanilla until combined. Beat
coffee powder or instant
1 Tbsp. each. Place 1 inch apart of the cream. Beat in as in flour. Stir in chocolate.
coffee crystals
1/2 tsp. baking powder
on prepared cookie sheets. much of the flour as you 2. Drop dough by tablespoons
Press your thumb into center of can with the mixer. Stir in 2 inches apart on prepared
1/2 tsp. salt
Melted white baking each ball. Reshape as needed. remaining flour. cookies sheets. Bake 9 to
chocolate (optional) Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until 2. In a small bowl stir together 11 minutes or until browned. Cool
1/4 cup crushed peppermint cookies are set and beginning the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, on sheets 2 minutes. Remove;
candies to brown. If cookie centers puff 1 tsp. coffee powder, and cool completely on a wire rack.
up during baking, press again 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice. 3. For filling, in a medium bowl
1. For filling, place chopped with the back of a small spoon. Place the remaining 2 Tbsp. beat the remaining 1/2 cup
white chocolate in a medium Remove; cool on a wire rack. cream in another small bowl. butter with a mixer on medium
bowl. In a small saucepan heat 4. Drizzle cookies with Shape dough into 1-inch balls. 30 seconds. Beat in 1 cup of the
cream over medium just until additional melted white Roll balls in cream then in powdered sugar and the coffee
steaming. Pour hot cream over chocolate (if using); let set. Beat sugar mixture to coat. Place powder. Beat in 1 Tbsp. of the
chocolate; stir until chocolate is chilled filling with a mixer on balls 2 inches apart on cream and the remaining 1 tsp.
melted and smooth. Stir in medium until the consistency of prepared cookie sheets. vanilla. Beat in the remaining
1/2 tsp. of the peppermint frosting. Spoon or pipe filling 3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or 1 cup powdered sugar and
extract. Cover and chill in the into cookies. Sprinkle with until edges are set. Cool on 1 Tbsp. cream until fluffy.
freezer 30 to 45 minutes or until crushed peppermint candies. cookie sheets 2 minutes 4. Spread bottoms of half of
well chilled and slightly firm to Makes 40 cookies. (cookies will fall and crackle the cookies with filling. Top with
the touch. per cookie 127 cal., 8 g fat as they cool). Remove; cool bottoms of remaining cookies.
2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to (5 g sat. fat), 23 mg chol., 77 mg on a wire rack. Makes Makes 24 sandwich cookies.
375°F. Line cookie sheets with sodium, 13 g carb., 0 g fiber, 7 g 68 cookies. per sandwich cookie 300 cal.,
parchment paper. In a large sugars, 1 g pro. per cookie 58 cal., 2 g fat 17 g fat (10 g sat. fat), 40 mg chol.,
bowl beat butter and both (1 g sat. fat), 10 mg chol., 47 mg 150 mg sodium, 38 g carb.,
sugars with a mixer on medium sodium, 10 g carb., 0 g fiber, 1 g fiber, 27 g sugars, 2 g pro.
1 minute. Add egg yolk, the 7 g sugars, 1 g pro.
84 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
DARK CHOCOL ATE ROUNDS
WITH ESPRESSO BUTTERCREAM
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 85
REINDEER HOW-TO,
P. 89
FOU R- BO
FO X U
SQUARE
Decorating
CR UR P TH
EA -CO ES
TH A S TION OK E
OU MA S IE
TR GH LL FO
ID Y O TF BU R
EA NE UL T
S
YO O R O F O G I F T
UR DE U .
OW S I G R
N. N
SHAPE IT UP
To ensure straight
4-SQUARE Cutouts
prep 25 minutes bake 10 minutes per batch at 375°F
edges when moving
cookies to cookie
sheet, roll dough
portions between
11/2 cups butter, softened 30 seconds. Add sugar and baking 3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until sheets of waxed or
1 cup granulated sugar powder. Beat until combined, edges are firm and bottoms parchment paper.
1/4 tsp. baking powder scraping bowl as needed. Beat in are lightly browned. Remove; Slide the uncut
1 egg egg, vanilla, and almond extract cool on wire racks. paper-sandwiched
1 tsp. vanilla
(if using). Beat in salt and as much 4. Decorate as desired with dough onto a
1 tsp. almond extract
of the flour as you can. Stir in any Royal Icing. Allow icing to set. cookie sheet (you
(optional)
remaining flour. Divide dough into Arrange cookie squares in can stack rolled-out
3/4 tsp. salt
four portions. 6-inch square gift boxes that portions of dough).
31/2 cups all-purpose flour
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll are 1 inch deep. Makes 40 Freeze at least
Royal Icing (p. 63)
Assorted sprinkles and/or
one portion of dough at a time cookies. 1 hour. Remove top
colored sugars (optional) into a 121/2×5-inch rectangle. Using per cookie 102 cal., 6 g fat pieces of paper, cut
a knife or 21/2-inch square cutter, (4 g sat. fat), 19 mg chol., 86 mg dough, and transfer
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a cut into ten 21/2-inch squares. sodium, 11 g carb., 0 g fiber, cutouts to cookie
large bowl beat butter with a Place cutouts 1 inch apart on 4 g sugars, 1 g pro. sheets as directed.
mixer on medium to high ungreased cookie sheets.
LIGHTS
Dip tops of 4-Square
Cutouts (above) in thin
white Royal Icing; let dry.
Arrange cookies
in a tight square.
Using a small clean
brush, splatter
cookies with gold
luster dust that
has been mixed
with a small amount
of vodka; let dry.
Using a piping
bag with a small
round tip and stiff
green-tinted icing,
pipe a cord for
lights over all
squares; let dry.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 87
TREES
Dip tops of 4-Square
Cutouts (p. 87)
in thin pink-tinted
Royal Icing;
let dry.
Arrange cookies
in a tight square.
Using a piping
bag with a small
round tip and
stiff green-tinted
icing, pipe a
tree over all
four squares.
Using a small
clean brush, paint
trunk with gold
luster dust that has
been mixed
with a small amount
of vodka; let dry.
Dust tree
with powdered
sugar.
GIFTS
Dip tops of 4-Square
Cutouts (p. 87) in thin white
Royal Icing; let dry.
REINDEER
Pictured on p. 86.
Dip tops of two 4-Square
Cutouts (p. 87) in thin
mint green-tinted
Royal Icing; let dry.
M
W
A
I
P E A N U
A
T
Y
- B
D
R E R N A T E R S M O N AVO
H M C OM VE
OV H E S F R O U S T C R A
E S. T DE
T O
S RS Y
C
O U
U
E
E
T
T S
E
E
SW W S ,
T
R
H E
P
S TE
L B U T A L
Y FL
A SE N D TT
U S, A , NU
A N MY
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PE CREA
90 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Cashew BUTTER
COOKIES
prep 30 minutes
bake 7 minutes per batch at 375°F
cashews
15 minutes
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 93
Pecan BUTTER
TURTLE BARS
prep 20 minutes
bake 20 minutes at 350°F
29
CHRISTMAS COOKIES | 95
cookie
basics
FOLLOW THESE TRIED-AND-TRUE
COOKIE SHEETS
VS. BAKING PANS
TIPS FOR COOKIE SUCCESS xA COO KI E S H E ET has
SCOOPED EVERY TIME. one or two raised sides to
Use a small cookie make them easy to pick up.
scoop for perfectly This allows hot air to
circulate all around shallow
proportioned
cookies for even baking.
cookies. Or use
COOKIE
These are what our Test
two regular Kitchen uses to bake cookies.
spoons—scoop
dough with one SUCCESS = xBAKI N G PAN S have four
spoon and use READ THE raised sides. These are
RECIPE ALL
used for baking bars.
the other to push Always use the dimensions
it onto a cookie
sheet. Each portion THE WAY called for in the recipe.
STORE IT RIGHT! Below is general storage information for most cookies and bars.
If storing for long periods or freezing, avoid filling or decorating cookies until you’re ready to serve. When
refrigeration is required for certain bars or cookies, specific storage information is given in individual recipes.
96 | CHRISTMAS COOKIES
PREP YOUR
BUTTER
Our Test Kitchen uses
salted butter when
testing unless otherwise
noted. If you prefer
unsalted butter, add
¼ tsp. salt per
½ cup butter used.
NO BUTTERMILK? NO PROBLEM.
M E LTE D B UT TE R
Buttermilk and sour milk are used To melt butter, place it
interchangeably in cooking. If you don’t in a liquid measuring
have buttermilk on hand, make sour milk. cup and microwave
10 seconds at a time
For each 1 cup sour milk, add 1 Tbsp. lemon until melted.
juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring
cup. Add enough milk to make 1 cup total
liquid. Stir; let stand 5 minutes before using.
REMOVING BARS
FOR GOOD
MEASURE
Baking recipes have relatively
S O F TE N E D B UT TE R strict formulation, so correctly
Softened butter is measuring ingredients matters.
easier to cream with
sugar than cold butter. xB ROWN S U GAR Use a dry
Let it stand at room measuring cup. Spoon brown
temperature at least sugar into cup. Use a spoon
30 minutes to soften.
to pack it into the cup firmly
If you need it quicker,
even with the top of the cup.
1 2
microwave unwrapped
butter on defrost/thaw
Line baking pans Tear a piece of Turn pan right setting 15 seconds at a xF LO U R Use a light hand
with foil before foil larger than side up; fit time until spreadable. when measuring flour. Stir the
baking. This the pan. Flip the shaped foil inside. flour in the canister to fluff it.
makes it easy to pan over. Shape Leave some CO LD B UT TE R Use a spoon to transfer flour
lift baked bars foil around pan overhang to Cold butter is used
into a dry measuring cup until
out of the pan bottom, folding help lift cooled most often in
it is overflowing. Level the top
and transfer the foil smoothly bars from pan. shortbread cookies.
It is cut into flour with
with a table knife (photo,
them to a cutting around corners. Grease foil if
board for a pastry blender, above). Scooping flour with
recipe calls for a
even cutting. greased pan. creating flaky layers the measuring cup or shaking
as the cookies bake. the cup to level causes flour
to pack down, increasing the
total amount of flour (which
results in dry cookies).
MAKE IT
*
NO ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS
OR PRESERVATIVES
PUREMADE Torani Puremade Sauces are conscientiously crafted to treat every taste as an
opportunity to help people, partners, and communities thrive. Discover easy Torani
recipes at Torani.com. Available in the Cocoa aisle at your local grocer or Supercenter.
© 2021 Torani/R. Torre & Company *Awarded to brands that surpass quality standards established by independent professional chefs.