December 14, 2012

December 13, 2012

12 Days of Cookies: Day the Eleventh
( Ginger Spice Cookies)





I grew up calling these gingersnaps.  Apparently this was wrong.  Apparently gingersnaps should snap.  Apparently anything too soft to snap is merely a ginger cookie.  Apparently some people are too damn literal.


December 12, 2012

12 Days of Cookies: Day the Tenth
(Espresso Tarts)




Sometimes, in the wake of the holidays, with a mountain of dishes in the sink and wrapping-paper tumbleweed rolling through the living room, it can be hard to muster up much enthusiasm about starting the day.


December 11, 2012

12 Days of Cookies: Day the Ninth
(Almond Sugar Cookies)





Sugar cookies are important to the fragile ecosystem of the cookie box.  They break up the miles and miles of brown baked goods: ginger, molasses, chocolate, mocha....all delicious, but not particularly colorful.

December 10, 2012

12 Days of Cookies: Day the Eighth
(Chocolate Cherry Coconut Macaroons)




There's nothing better than a macaroon. 

Obviously, that statement is a date-based opinion.  Tomorrow I might be telling you that there's nothing better than pulled pork.  Or a cruller.  Or banana quesadillas [trust me: it's a thing].


December 7, 2012

12 Days of Cookies: Day the Seventh
( Ginger-Kissed Fudge Brownies)




Let us be clear: the name "Ginger-Kissed" was not my idea.  That's a little too precious for me.  It's the original author's title.  And since this recipe comes from a mangled single magazine page that I found stuffed in a binder in the back of my closet, I felt like it was important to offer up the original title.  In case it would help someone identify the author.  I feel pretty bad about failing to give credit where credit's deserved.    [ Update: author found!  All hail the internet community! ]


December 6, 2012

12 Days of Cookies: Day the Sixth
( Almond Chocolate Thumbprints)





In the hallowed tradition of the cookie box, there are a few elder statesmen.  The Buckeye.  The Peanut Butter Blossom.  The Decorated Sugar Cookie.  And, of course, The Thumbprint.

December 5, 2012

12 Days of Cookies: Day the Fifth
( Oatmeal Cream Pies)




I wanted to spell the name of this recipe "Creme."  With that accent like the French use.  You know.  The backwards one.  Grave?  Aigu?  I don't know.  It's been almost two years since I took French.  It was only my minor, after all.  Who can remember that far?

December 4, 2012

December 3, 2012

12 Days of Cookies: Day the Third
( Bourbon-Raisin Bars with Cinnamon Glaze)




Do you have enough to do this holiday season?  Present wrapping?  Pastry baking?  Tree-trimming?  Here's one more item for the list:   Appreciate Raisins More.