Holiday Cookies, Candy and Treats

[Guest]

I make the same items every year, if I don't at least one person at the dinner is unhappy because of it. Everyone has a favourite.
One year I went to a cookie exchange. I thought how great is that, I only had to make a 10 dozens of one item and I would end up with 10 different items. Well, some were okay and most were bad and I had a very dissapointed bunch of family and friends, lol....
Soooooooooo, now I just stick to what I know everyone will gobble up, with a few new items.

Here is what I have ready so far; got most of it done this week.

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/pets-d ... n-pastries

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/peanut-butter-balls

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/date-and-cherry-balls

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/sucre- ... ream-fudge

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/chinese-noodle-bars

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/bluebe ... en-berries

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/church-windows

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/chocol ... r-clusters

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/snicke ... -drink-mix

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/chocol ... t-clusters

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/fudge

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/low-su ... es-cookies

[Roxanne]

Thanks for sharing the stories and recipes with us Linda. I saved a ton!

I haven't made it yet Roxanne, it will probably be a few weeks before I do.

Cool, I was just curious if it tasted the same as the full batch recipe. I am going to try it myself closer to the holidays.

Wow Bea, I've never been to a cookie exchange but it sucks that most of the cookies you got in exchange weren't that tasty. Thanks for sharing your regular recipes with us though, I saved a ton from you too .

I am going to attempt homemade marshmallows for the first time this year, wish me luck ;)

[invictus]

I've stopped doing cookie exchanges both in person and via the internet because I've honestly never like what I get in return. :/ I try not to be too picky but what I've received the past few years went straight into the trash after the first bites.

[HeatherFeather]

I have some cookies I love to bake just for the holidays, but I haven't baked them the past several years as I had some life changing events happen that just kept me out of the holiday baking mood. Now I spend the holidays at my mom's house, so I haven't been doing much holiday baking.

I am hoping to get some cookies made this year however. Whenever I do make holiday cookies, I like to bake German spritz cookies, Italian cookies like anise cookies, pizzelle, lemon cookies, and fig cookies. I also like buckeyes, stained glass cookies, and sugar cookie cutouts. One of my favorites is a pineapple butter cookie (Rita L has the recipe posted on the old Zaar site, as are the others I have mentioned here either in my reviews or my own posted recipes).

Every year I plan to make panettone and biscotti. I end up buying the panettone and sometimes bake the biscotti. Maybe this year I will get the thing made - it is delicious but very expensive to buy. Another thing I always plan to make is a stollen and I always forget to make it.

I do usually make my chocolate chip cherry fruitcake, which I love because even kids can eat it (no alcohol) and there are no weird ingredients that people wrinkle their noses at. I also usually make my Russian Friendship tea (an instant orange spice tea mix) which I make as gifts.

[invictus]

I've updated my blog with a few of the recipes I've made for Christmas. A new recipe should go up in the next few days as well.

http://heidiscopperkettle.blogspot.com/

[CoffeeB]

I've updated my blog with a few of the recipes I've made for Christmas. A new recipe should go up in the next few days as well.

http://heidiscopperkettle.blogspot.com/

I'd like to be able to save the lace cookie recipe Heidi. Do you have it posted here already or is it in the works?

[invictus]

I've updated my blog with a few of the recipes I've made for Christmas. A new recipe should go up in the next few days as well.

http://heidiscopperkettle.blogspot.com/

I'd like to be able to save the lace cookie recipe Heidi. Do you have it posted here already or is it in the works?

Sorry CoffeeB I haven't posted any recipes here and I don't plan to. I'm here more for the community.

[CoffeeB]

I've updated my blog with a few of the recipes I've made for Christmas. A new recipe should go up in the next few days as well.

http://heidiscopperkettle.blogspot.com/

I'd like to be able to save the lace cookie recipe Heidi. Do you have it posted here already or is it in the works?

Sorry CoffeeB I haven't posted any recipes here and I don't plan to. I'm here more for the community.

Oh...O.K.

[invictus]

I have everything for the hot buttered rum except for the ice cream. I went shopping yesterday and didn't think I had enough room in my freezer for it so I didn't buy and good thing I didn't. I have moved some stuff around, stored some items in the cool garage, and now I'm ready to buy it. I will be having it Christmas morning. Is it ok to be a lush on Christmas?

So far I have made:
pale tiger butter (give away and keep)
lacey oatmeal cookies (gave away)
cinnamon loaf bread (gave away)
chewy chocolate (give away and keep)
peppermint patty cookies (give away and keep)
Christmas cardamom butter cookies (give away and keep)

I still need to make:
toblerone fudge
kahlua spiked chocolate chip cookies
nutmeg logs (maybe)
cut outs (maybe)

The first 2 I am making tomorrow and if I have time I will make the other 2 this week but I won't be sad if I don't get to it. My mom is making cut outs so those will be at her house. The others that I am keeping, only keeping a few so we have some here for Christmas and some to take to my mom's the day after. I have a few friends we will make cookie packages for and I'm all set to go.

FINALLY feeling in the spirit!

[Roxanne]

It's totally acceptable to be lush on Christmas! I think most of us are. I may not try the hot buttered rum for Christmas but I think I'll have it for Old Year Eve/New Years.

Your list of Christmas goodies look so good! I can't seem to finalize my list but I love nutmeg and wonder if you can share your nutmeg logs recipe pretty please?

I do have some recipes in mind but I am not sure I will be making them all and I might change some of them as the days pass. The ones I make every year haven't gotten made for some reason. I'm a bit flustered on what to make this year but I am enjoying what I have made so far.

Tiger Butter Crunch - with rice krispies for the crunch
Peanut Butter Balls
Caramel filled chocolates

This is what my to-do list for this week currently looks like -

Praline Chocolate Crunch
Triple chocolate praline tart
White Chocolate Almond Butter Bars
Chocolate Billionaires
Dark Chocolate Shortbread Cookies with white chocolate chips
Chocolate Covered Cherries

To go over vanilla and chocolate pound cakes
Nutella Ganache
Butter-Rum Glaze

Considering making panettone for the first time for Christmas Day breakfast.

May add, change or not make certain items as the week continues on.

I'm enjoying the season and don't feel the need to make much stuff which is why I think my goodie list keeps changing so much this year. For Christmas Day I'm making lunch and enjoying that with my dad before going over to a friends house later in the evening cause it's her birthday too. Will take over some of whatever goodies I've made. I think it's going to be a great day.