All Time Favorite Christmas Cookies

It's that time of year again, there is snow on the ground, and ornaments on the tree. Christmas is a magical time of year with memories and traditions that never seem to fade. One of these traditions is the baking of Christmas cookies. My mother went to a cookie swap just the other day, where she baked ten dozen of the same cookie to give away and she brought home ten dozen different varieties for the family to enjoy. There were rules in this cookie swap in an effort to avoid having five dozen chocolate chip cookies.

Don't get me wrong, I loved all of the different varieties my mom brought home, but it's not Christmas without the classics. You know which classics I'm referring to, they're in every home at some point during the holiday, just as they've been since before you can remember. It's not Christmas without cut-out sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, and snicker doodles. I have a plan for next year, we're going to bring the classics back to the swap, and everyone can add their own little spin on them.

Cookie Bake

Sugar cookies are by far my favorite cookies. They hold so much opportunity, they're a blank canvas for the ten year old cookie artist. Sugar cookies come in many different shapes, colors, and textures, but the taste is always the same. Everyone has sugar cookies during the holidays, and I mean everyone. Even if you're not the cookie connoisseur and you have the baking skills of a cyclopes, you can still enjoy an old-fashioned sugar cookie.

A trip to the local grocery store freezer selection will solve your kitchen catastrophe in the form of break-and-bake cookies. The rest is easy, decorating is half the fun of eating them. Your choices for materials are endless, it all depends on your style. You may choose to use cookie cutters, and make a perfect Santa. If you choose to go the classic circle direction, frosting and sprinkles are your best friends. Whether it's the smell of the cookies baking, the fun you have decorating them, or even just eating them, this cookie classic is sure to bring your family together if only for an afternoon.

When I think of the holidays, I think of gingerbread men and sugarplum fairies. Since sugarplum fairies don't come in cookie form, gingerbread is our second Christmas favorite. Gingerbread, other than tasting amazing, can make anything you can dream of. If you want to go simple, making a dozen gingerbread men to decorate with gumdrop buttons may be your choice this year. However, if you're willing to go to the extremes, this may be your year to create the ultimate gingerbread house. Whether you're a fashion designer for the gingerbread men army, or the newest member of the gingerbread house design team, magic is going to happen in your house this Christmas. When you complete your creation, it may even look so good you won't want to eat it!

It's no question why snicker doodles are our number three pick for the best Christmas cookies. If you've ever had a snicker doodle, you know the taste of cinnamon practically does the tango on your taste buds. However, if you have never had a snicker doodle, then you have not lived my friend. This cinnamon creation is dusted with Cinnamon sugar and best when served warm. Unlike most circle cookies, the snicker doodle always manages to stay soft and never flattens. I don't know if it's sparkle of cinnamon, or the sparkle of Christmas that make these cookies a favorite. One thing is for certain, they're magical.

All Time Favorite Christmas Cookies

This author is a HUGE fan of Free Cooking Recipes.

Thanks To : anolon advanced 10 piece cookware set staub 9.5 inch saute pan cuisinart chefs classic 17 piece cookware set