Tell Me What You’re Baking for the Holiday Season!
Eeeeep! It’s only one of my favorite thingsĀ to share ever, because COOKIES.
This is the sixth year I’m sharing my annual baking list, which has morphed more into my favorite baking list and what I think you should bake.
And then I beg you to tell me what else I should bake.
It’s totally changed from when I started six years ago – back then I had all the time in the world to bake for the holidays, we’re talking DAYS on end. It’s something I’d do with my grandma and loved to continue, even though I don’t enjoy baking itself in general. (Like who has time to follow all those directions? Truth.)
But. We love to make giant cookie trays (Eddie makes the best ones) to take to family and friends all season, therefore I love to bake this time of year. Last year, I baked nothing besides the baby in my belly that was born two weeks before Christmas. Well, wait – scratch that. I baked about six dozen chocolate chip cookies and would eat one or two (or four) a night.
This year! I don’t have tonnnns of time to bake with a little one but I’m planning on still trying to doĀ a bunch. My game plan right now is to prep a bunch of doughs at one time and then bake them off when it’s convenient. It’s easier than making things for the blog because we’re not talking aboutĀ recipes that need tested and/or photographed in natural light.
PLUS. My cousin and I always spend a day or two making treats for friends, fun things like candied citrus peel, homemade amaretto, cocktail bitters (these need to be made, well, NOW, to be ready for Christmas), homemade bailey’s irish cream, bacon vanilla almond brittle, that saltine candy crack stuff and maybe a peppermint bark or two. I’m also wondering if I can prep two or three loaves of cinnamon orange pull apart bread and freeze it?
OMG and I cannot forget this TO DIE FOR homemade snack mix. I love it so, so, so much.
Here are the things I’m planning on – tell me your list below!
soft snickerdoodles (which are eddie’s favorite) but also – chewy chai snickerdoodles! those last ones are fabulousĀ and i’ve made the recipe three times since. (one friend has made them FIVE times in the last two months and doubled it successfully. yes.)
snickerchipdoodles. just try it.
perfect cut out sugar cookies. we love to frost these as a family with tons of sprinkles. plus, these are so easy!
peanut butter blossoms. they will forever be my favorite.
double dark chocolate peanut butter cup cookies. do you think I like PB and chocolate?
doubletree hotel chocolate chip cookies. surely my favorite chocolate chip at the moment.
peppermint pattie cookies! i love both.
a big tray of homemade pistachio baklava.
mother lovett’s pink and green thumbprints.
mother lovett’s orange cookies.
cake batter chocolate bark. along with another bark or two?
soft gingersnaps. i double this recipe and it’s always a huuuuge hit.
double chocolate cheesecake cookies. one batch, i need it.
mocha coconut fudge and bourbon chocolate fudge. and i kind of want to make a peanut butter fudge?
So what am I missing?! Am I overly ambitious?Ā And what’s on your list? Tell me tell me!
66 Comments on “Tell Me What You’re Baking for the Holiday Season!”
OMGeee Jessica! So much here… I mean, Snickerchipdoodles? Come. On!! No doubt I love holiday baking too and send out a lot to family and friends… my favorites to make are date bites dressed up with various holiday flavors and all the shortbread I can whip up. Read – open mouth and pour in shortbread!! Also, one of my faves is Mexican Tea Cakes. Love those too! Such a great list to read through Jessica! Thank you for this and have fun baking! :D
I literally want to make EVERYTHING-why did I look at this before I had breakfast?! Question-When I followed the link for those delicious-sounding chai-spiced snicker doodles it took me to chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. I didn’t know if that was the right one…? Thanks! :)
oops sorry about that!! i fixed it, thanks.
LOVE your list! For Thanksgiving, I baked Gingerbread Blondies (for the few weirdos at my annual Thanksgiving feast who don’t like pumpkin pie, haha); and I will be baking various types of other Blondies throughout the holiday season.
All these pictures look SO GOOD and peppermint pattie brownies sound amazing. Hope you manage to get some baking done with the little one!
Steph – http://nourishmeclean.blogspot.com
I always grew up with molasses cookies around the holidays — so tasty! Especially with the crunchy sugar on top. I’ve actually never made them before but this Christmas might give it a whirl (after making your chai snickerdoodles! I’ve been dying for some ever since you posted the recipe!)
Me too! They are my favorite. I have an amazing recipe I can share, if you’re still interested in making them!
Your list sounds ambitious and delicious! The last few years we have been making these frosted cashew cookies.http://www.startribune.com/frosted-cashew-cookies/70377767/ and only last December after being an avid reader of your blog for YEARS did I realize the frosting is made of BROWNED BUTTER! They are delicious and buttery and the cookie I look forward to the most on our platter.
I switch it up every year but the two I ALWAYS make are a cream cheese and lemon pressed cookie that we make into two shapes, one is a little Xmas tree decorated with green sugar and the other is a little snowman with silver dragees for eyes and buttons. (Every year there is one snowman with little silver testicles. We are a sick bunch). The second cookie is a nutmeg log that is frosted. It tastes like a perfect little bite of eggnog! This year I’m definitely trying some of yours!!
um, i need BOTH of these recipes please!!
Sure! Should I post them right here or is there an email you’d like them sent to?
Oh I found it on the website! I’ll send the recipes :)
I would love the receipe for both. Theye sound really good and in my family’s fav. Flavor profiles. P.S. snowmen testicles are a must for any fun cookie or coloring day.
If you’d like to share your email I’d be happy to send you the recipes :)
Hi Lisa! I would love the recipes to both of those cookie delights! They sound amazing. Hartman.hayley@gmail.com.
thank you!!
I completely look forward to this list every year!!! Thanks for posting so promptly in the beginning of the holiday marathon! I make boat loads of PB blossoms, PB fudge, crockpot nut clusters, Buckeyes, cranberry bliss bars, almond toffee, chocolate and peanut butter dipped pretzels, snickerdoodle bars, and normally another fudge. LOVE you’re bourbon chocolate fudge!
Just made the soft snickerdoodles! Followed the recipe you posted and they came out soooooo good and our house smells like warm cinamonny (word?) goodness. We toasted your Mother Lovett as we ate them. Bokmarked a couple others for next weekend. We have our favorite treats for the holidays, but for some reason I feel like completely changing things around this year. We’ll see if sentimentality kicks in or if we do just wing it this year!
I go crazy with holiday cookies. Every year I change it up a little bit, but I always make PB blossoms, Mexican Wedding cakes, Cuccidati, cutouts, chewy molasses, and PB balls. i love baking, especially for Christmas. It’s my favorite :)
Ugh. You completely stressed me out with this post! I read it this morning and proceeded to spend the rest of the day determining what I will be baking for the holiday season.
I always make three things every Christmas for sure:
1. Toblerone Shortbread Cookies — these are ALWAYS a hit. They are my crack. I could eat an entire tray of them, I love them THAT much.
2. My infamous sugar cookies — cut in Christmas shapes and decorated with royal icing.
3. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles — these aren’t really in the “holiday” theme, but I love them so much. I’ve gift them to friends/family/co-workers, but I’m always scaredā¦is cookie dough too much of a “kid” thing? Are adults supposed to like cookie dough? :/
My wildcards for the year are the following:
1. Gingerbread Spiced Nuts
2. Sweet Soldiers Cake Pops (via Bakerella) — I completely intended to make these last year but couldn’t find candy-coated sunflower seeds anywhere. Screw it! This year I’ll just have to candy-coat my own sunflower seeds and make them.
3. Gingerbread Jingle Push-up Pops
4. Gingerbread Cheesecake
5. Cinnamon Rolls — I want to make some cinnamon rolls and freeze them then gift them to friends to be able to bake whenever they want
6. GIngerbread Maple Muffins (http://www.howsweeteats.com/2014/12/buttery-gingerbread-maple-muffins/) — yup, these are being made. Haven’t tried them yet, but can’t wait!
7. Gingerbread Granola — (http://www.howsweeteats.com/2010/12/chocolate-gingerbread-granola/) I just got off a pumpkin granola kick, so this will be great to switch it up!
8. Gingerbread Cookie Dough Peppermint Bark
9. NOT baking, but I’m also making some homemade wine to gift. The best of gifts!
homemade wine! YES.
Love your list! I am intrigued with the gingerbread cookie dough peppermint bark. Can you share your recipe?
Thanks:)
Strangely enough, I see those candy coated sunflower seeds at Joann fabrics all the time!
I love gingerbread and I’m going to make this granola tonight!
I would LOVE your recipe for Toblerone shortbread cookies, if you would be so kind to share? :)
All of these recipes look un.real. This makes me want to go balls to the wall in the baking section and bake for 3 days straight. I’ve got my eye on those snickerchipdoodles and peppermint patty brownies!
I’ve got plans to make a whole bunch of candy this year! I also love making holiday mallomars! I’m thinking a few recipes from your list will be making their way onto my list!
<3 Vicki @ Wilde in the World
I love your cookie list and all your recipes! These gooey cookies are made with cream cheese and butter. You need these in your life!
http://www.lottieanddoof.com/2011/12/day-5-mathew-rice-and-gooey-butter-cookies/
I made your cinnamon orange pull-apart bread last year for brunch on Christmas day and turned into an instant must-have for our family. It’s amaaaazing! So I’m for sure baking that, plus about a zillion different cookies. Several of our go-tos are your recipes, but I also make wooden spoon cookies every year (which are so hard and so frustrating but a classic in my family) and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies with cranberries!
On your snickerchipdoodle cookies do you roll the ball in the cinnamon sugar? Or just dip the top?
Thanks for all the ideas! I’m so psyched for my cookie party swap now!!!
So incredibly in love with your list in massive amounts! My mum will always pull out the pies and cookies and cheesecakes. But my favourite is her flan! Crunching on the toffee shards are the best. I instantly thought of you when I opened this email and read through your list, because I recently posted a giant deep dish gingerbread cookie made with brown butter and stuffed with Nutella on my blog (http://cafedelites.com/2015/11/25/nutella-stuffed-deep-dish-gingerbread-cookie/ ). Made me think of you and your recent love affair with Nutella. Well, what’s Christmas without Nutella anyway, right? Thank you for this post! I’ll be trying those Chai Snickerdoodles now!
I am getting super ambitious and I’m doing “Cookies Around the World”
Glazed Pfefferneuse – GERMANY
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/glazed-pfeffernuesse
Oreshki (Walnut-shaped cookies w/ caramel filling) – RUSSIAN
http://dcinstyle.com/walnut-cookies-oreshki/
http://www.tartsbook.com/oreshki-walnut-cookies.html#.VdwRnPTX2J8
Almond-Marzipan Kipferl – AUSTRIAN
http://www.whatsforlunchhoney.net/2008/12/marzipan-almond-kipferl-crescent.html
Melomakarona (honey-soaked nut cookies) – GREEK
http://www.christmas-cookies.com/recipes/recipe229.melomakarona.html
A Scandinavian cookie that I haven’t decided on (something with cardamom…HA!), some French madelines, aaaand… that’s it!
I might go with an Indian cookie instead of french to break out of Europe for my worldly tour.
Waou delicius and I love the inspiration :-)
I did an dekoration from USA different this year at my blog.
Have a lovely Christmas time :-)
I always bake cookie press spritz with extra almond flavoring. Ginger molasses cookies. Peanut butter cookies with choclate stars in pressed in the center.
Oh my goodness! I need to start baking ASAP! I love your list! Hopefully our little guys will be good little helpers so we can get some baking done! I am glad you are still loving my soft gingersnaps! Those are on my list too! xo
OMG this looks soo amazing. Love the list <3 Getty hungry right now :)
http://poshnessary.com
That’s a big list! I had a baby right before Christmas last year also (she’s one on Monday!) and I was lucky to get my gifts wrapped Christmas Eve :/) I’m so ready to bake this season! I love making sugar cookies too and this year I bought a Star Wars cutter set to do with my boys. I love making cinnamon rolls to take with me when invited to dinner during the holidays for the hosts to eat the next morning after they prepped a big dinner the night before. Congrats on your baby!
What a great idea to take cinnamon rolls as a hostess gift. I am totally going to start doing that because who doesn’t love cinnamon rolls.
That is an impressive list.
I will definitely be making snickerdoodles — I just got back from living in the UK, where they really don’t have soft cookies, and I’ve missed them a ton.
I will also be making gingerbread Liberty Bells, because I am originally from Philadelphia and it’s really fun to draw the crack in frosting.
I am also complete trash for those Pillsbury sugar cookies with the holiday pictures, so that will need to happen.
I loveeee making Christmas cookies! My standard cookies to bake are Mexican wedding cookies, linzer cookies, and cut outs—also I love the pretzels with the m&m’s and Hershey kisses — I need to make the saltine crack stuff!!
In the past I usually made 5 or 6 different kinds of cookies, but one kind always went first and is constantly requested. So this year I’m going to make a couple batches of your chocolate pomegranate cookies to give out (and keep at home!) Bonus, when cookies have fruit, they have to be healthy, right?
TOTALLY making those brownies. *faints* I pinned them earlier without before I even read the post because I KNEW I needed them. ;)
Thank you for including my cut-out cookies! It would just make my day to think of you making them with Max!!! I can just picture his sweet little hands covered in sprinkles!
And….homemade amaretto?!? WHAT???
This is the most embarrassing and old blog post to share EVER but these “cookies” are my go-to because they are super easy and you can make a gigantic batch. These are my go-to when I have zero time or energy, you know from eating way too much sugar…http://www.livehalffullblog.com/2012/12/19/the-easiest-christmas-cookie-recipe/
Just wrote an article about Xmas cookies and put your Lactation Cookies on it. I’m weird, I know.
1. Cream Wafers
2. Peanut Butter Sandwiches
3. Italian Sprinkle
4. White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal
5. Xmas M&M
6. Salted Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
7. White Chocolate Peppermint
8. Ginger Molasses
9. Red Velvet
10. Andes Mint Brownie Bites
11. Chocolate Covered Pretzel Bark
12. That saltine crack stuff
And a few homemade candy recipes to pair with wine for gifts.
The ONLY things I bake come from you! The soft snickerdoodles are a definite favorite. Thanks for sharing your talents with us!
Ok seriously those double chocolate cheesecake cookies. Made a TRIPLE batch last year and not only did they keep for weeks/freeze amazingly, but i took them everywhere and people could not. stop. talking. about them. I’ve already gotten requests this year for the “chocolate cookies with the cheesecake inside” which isn’t exactly right, but close enough
I am going for more snack-y options this year for my holiday treats. So far I plan on making chocolate covered pretzels, peppermint bark, and some kind of brittle. Those will be what I give my neighbors, so who knows what else I come up with! I may need to pull from your list! ;)
I’m just making 3 kinds of cookies, because my hips can’t deal with a list as long as yours. I’m making some copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars like the ones from Starbucks but actually better, and as always my mom’s shortbread cookies cut out in Halloween shapes (because it never fails to crack us up when my mom loses her mind at our Christmas spider cookies and Christmas witch cookies. We’re in our 30s but you’d never know)
And now I’m going to borrow Peppermint Pattie Cookies from your list because they look amazing!
So it is cold and rainy here today and a perfect day to get baking. My sister and I hosted a cookie dough exchange this year so I have freezer stocked with cookies ready to bake which is always helpful during the holidays. Next year I will be making your gingersnaps because super yum (and win the prize!!!).
I love making breads, cinnamon rolls, and all things chocolate this time of year. Chocolate dipped pretzels are my families biggest weakness.
i too am over ambitious but what can i do ! there is not enough time. i cant eat gluten so therefore dont make any cookies with it so your list has me dying ! i plan to make the following
peanut blossoms – cuz duh
flourless choc cookies w andies baking chips
soft frosted sugar cookies
almond orange snowballs
pb fudge – do it !
choc pb fudge (tiger stipe white and dark choc melted with just a bit of pb then swirled together to give stripe effect)
maybe choc or coconut biscotti
i might try your mocha coconut fudge !
red wine truffles
maybe some bark w choc and macadamia nuts i call it maleekeeleekeemaka bark (spelling ??? see griswolds xmas movie)
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I love Holiday Baking!
1. Buttery Jam Thumbprints
http://www.chewoutloud.com/2014/12/16/buttery-jam-thumbprint-cookies/
2.Almond Cloud cookies
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/almond-cloud-cookies-recipe#reviews
3.Maple Iced Oatmeal Cookies
http://lovelylittlekitchen.com/maple-iced-oatmeal-cookies/
4.Giant Ginger Cookies
http://www.marthastewart.com/338735/giant-ginger-cookies
5.Chocolate-Espresso Snowcaps
http://www.marthastewart.com/342387/chocolate-espresso-snowcaps
6.Candied Pecans and Almonds
7.Biscotti, though I haven’t decided what kind yet
8.Baklava
9. Your lovely lemon cookies from last year
http://www.shoesshopstyle.com
You look incredible as always.
I’m living in Paris this year and I want to make ALL THE COOKIES, same as you. But I know that can’t happen… I have a teeny tiny oven and so many ingredients are hard to find.
I’m hoping to make chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin, thumbprints with a very French jam, something peppermint for the husband and finally, Cochinitos. They are my favorite Mexican pan dulce. And I don’t think I’ll be able to find them in France. =) Wish me luck trying to find some inexpensive molasses or brown sugar!
Happy baking!
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I just want to bake bake bake all day long!! I have always wanted to make your peppermint cookies and this year I’m making it happen. I’m always excited to try this graham cracker toffee from Two Peas http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/easy-graham-cracker-toffee/. I’m also going to bring back these coconut lime bars from Shutterbean http://www.shutterbean.com/2011/coconut-lime-bars/, they are amazing!
This past weekend I made:
Butterscotch Potato Chip Cookies
Old Fashion Soft Pumpkin Cookies (with White Chocolate Chips)
Dipped Ritz Cookies (with Caramel filling)
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate and Peppermint Pretzel Kisses
I took a platter into work and the new add this year, Lemon Crinkle Cookies was a huge hit.
I am thinking I still need to add some sugar cookies, fudge, and truffles. To me a Christmas cookie is any cookie I bake/eat in December.
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Ohemgeeee, Jessica! I am such a lover of your blog. I’m not going to lie, I sometimes tell stories to my husband and friends about things you’ve written on here, as if we are acquaintances, only to be laughed at when I answer the “oh who said/did that?” question with “oh, yah know, this hilarious food blogger I follow” (insert monkey-covering-face emoji here)
Your list totally motivated me, and so far, from your list I have made:
1. Peppermint pattie cookies (I made the brownies for my Moms bday last year and they were a huge hit, the cookies were no disappointment)
2.Soft snickerdoodles (I was a snickerdoodle-virgin. I now want to try the snickerchipdoodles)
3. Cake Batter Bark (the second time round, I added cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds to the white chocolate, as per my mom’s request)
4. Chocolate coconut truffles (Tried it with dark chocolate, also delicious! Have to hide from my hubby)
Next up. double chocolate cheesecake cookies and some gingersnaps!
SO. Moral of the story. My freezer is filling up nicely with holiday treats, but my belly is filling faster!! I’m just going to continue to use my pregnancy as an excuse for the missing cookies…. (6 months along, and thankful for your past prego posts!)
Thanks for sharing such fantastic recipes!
xx Chelsie
Wow, so many ideas and choices!! I have narrowed down my baking list to the following:
1. sugar cookies with royal icing (my little gal is almost 4 and is helping decorate for the first year – score! – even found some Peanuts cookie cutters so she can eat snoopy and charlie brown!)
2. gingerbread banana bread
3. chocolate peppermint bites
4. chocolate peppermint black bean brownies
5. snickerdoodles
6. cookie butter chocolate chip cookies
so many more options – i may try to do some cranberry white chocolate blondies. We’ll see how the spirit leads me on Saturday! Thanks for all your motivation and temptations!!!
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I’m WAY late to the party (like hello Christmas was 2 days ago!) but I make these every year – they’re adorable and so easy to make:
http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/christmas-chocolate-biscuits
:)