I know you can finds hundreds…thousands…of cookie recipes on Pinterest, but come on, when was the last time you needed a thousand cookie recipes? You really need only a handful of good ones. I have lots and lots of cookie recipes here on the blog, and I encourage you to check out each and every one. But if you’re in a hurry, and aren’t we all right now, here’s my abbreviated list of the best of the best for holiday baking. These are my go-to’s, the ones that work every time, and the ones that everybody loves.
Chewy Ginger Cookies are usually the cookies I start off the season with. There’s something about the aroma of the molasses, ginger, and other spices that gets me in the mood. The dough is easy to work with and it’s a good one to make with children because they can form the balls and roll them in the sugar.
Melting Moments are a old family recipe, they have a slightly vintage vibe, and they’re very dainty and delicate. People are always surprised at how incredibly delicious these unassuming little heaps are. They make a really nice presentation as a simple dessert with coffee.
Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are not only good for the gluten free eaters, they are just plain good, period. I think every cookie assortment needs at least one chocolate chip. These are the easiest cookie of the bunch.
Deepest Chocolate Espresso Chip Cookies are a must on the list because there is nothing more decadent or chocolaty than these. You could end a meal with nothing more than these cookies and everybody would be completely happy.
Vanilla on Vanilla Sandwich Cookies fall on the exact opposite side of the spectrum…they are packed with layer upon layer of pure intense vanilla. I’m planning to do a variation on these this month, so stay tuned.
Homemade Thin Mints have to be on the list. They’re everybody’s favorite cookie, and people will be amazed that you made them yourself.
Chocolate Walnut Shortbread tastes like a classic brownie in cookie form. It’s not only beautiful to look at with all the walnuts forming a pretty mosaic, but it’s an easy and convenient slice and bake dough.
A cookie like Speculoos Spice Cookies has to be on any top ten holiday cookie list. You need to have a cutout cookie, whether you’re making snowflakes like these, or any other fun shape in your collection. Speculoos is a traditional Dutch spiced cookie and it’s a little more delicately flavored than gingerbread.
Orange Blossom Shortbread will add an unusual note to this assortment. Most of us in this part of the world aren’t used to the floral notes of rose and orange blossom that are more common in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern sweets.
Do-it-yourself Brussels Cookies are elegant and really delicious. Sandwich cookies take a little more work than some of the others, but they are worth it in the end.
That’s my list as of today, but of course it doesn’t take into account what I’ll be baking this month — today marks the first official day of holiday cooking baking for me, I know I’ll come up with a few that will need to be included in next year’s top ten.
Am I missing any of your favorites on this list? Let me know, I’ll be baking all weekend!