In years past, I’ve shared my rather insane and challenging list of hopeful cookies to make it out of the kitchen.

Sometimes it happens, other times it doesn’t. Most of the time it does. Baking around the holidays is incredibly nostalgic for me. I’m of the psychotic breed of women who will listen to the same song 547 times one day just because of the wave of nostalgia it brings.

And I’m well aware that once I’m no longer a childless and petless chick, things like this may not always happen. But for now, I adore spending 1-2 days straight baking Christmas cookies in my kitchen, blasting music and pretending like Mother Lovett is screaming at me over her shoulder while running into things, attempting to feed me frozen fudge wrapped in dirty aluminum foil that she discovered in the freezer dated “1989,” while also frosting cookies with buttercream left in her fridge from the previous Easter.

These first four cookies below have her name written all over them.

Mother Lovett’s Thumbprint Cookies: pretty! colorful! not my favorite, but a staple around here.

Peanut Butter Blossoms: my all time favorite holiday cookie… except, uh, I take off the Kiss. Not a fan. Riddle me that.

Butterball Cookies: Mother Lovett loved these. My mom loves these. I could leave ’em or take ’em. But they are quick and easy. Done.

Orange Cookies: I think we all know where I stand when it comes to fruit for dessert, but orange cookies are an exception.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies: these are new to the list this year… one of my favorites from 2011.

Hot Cocoa Cookies: I need a few heavy-on-the-chocolate cookies for me. These work.

Cut-Out Sugar Cookies: the day before we make these, I often just google the best recipe for them. Then we decorate them like 4-year olds.

Brown Butter Chocolate Stuffed Toffee Chip Cookies: not sure if these will be the exact cookies, but I def need some brown butter on the tray.

Peppermint Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: chocolate + mint must, must, must always make the list!

Fluffy Snickerdoodles: after last year, there is no way I can not include these. Love.

Soft Gingersnap Cookies: probably my favorite non-chocolate cookie ever. I usually make 3-4 batches through the season.

Cookie Dough Truffles: fun and different… they make the plate look pretty.

Oreo Balls: a classic!

Red Velvet Cake Balls: Mr. How Sweet’s favorite… a red velvet cake recipe + cream cheese frosting then dipped in chocolate.

4 Layer Cookies and Cream Bark: this was a HUGE hit last year.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bark: think I’m going to add some crushed cookies to this!

Cake Batter Chocolate Bark: my favorite of all time… can’t pass it up.

Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels & Oreos: I glam these up with tons of sprinkles and stuff – they are pretty and fun when added to a plate.

 

Where ever we go throughout the holiday season, a cookie tray follows. It’s fun. Only second to a bottle of booze. Trust me.

I also have 3-4 new recipes in the works that I’ll share with you in the next few days/weeks. Depending on my storage space and appetite, they will probably also make the list.

And every year I get the question, “but what about the gingerbread?!” Hate to break it to you folks, but I don’t care for gingerbread. It’s okay, but I don’t love it enough (and neither does anyone I know) to push something else off the list. Maria’s soft gingersnaps listed above are better than any gingerbread I’ve ever tasted. Also missing is the common shortbread cookie, which if I’m being honest… is just a little too boring for me. Come on. It’s me. You know I need to trash things up with tons of chocolate and peanut butter and over-Americanize everything I can get my hands on. This list is perrrrfect.

Now if you could just come live with me? Yes… all of you.

K… what treats are you baking this year? Spill it.