by Susan Russo of Foodblogga

The holiday season really is the most wonderful time of the year. Trees are strung with twinkling lights, children gleefully anticipate Santa’s arrival, and best of all — everyone eagerly awaits homemade Christmas cookies.
So this year, save yourself some money, skip the mall traffic, and give the thoughtful Christmas gifts of homemade cookies to your friends and neighbors. They’re fun to make and can be tailor made for each recipient. Choose from drop cookies, bar cookies, truffles, and fudge; there are even low-cal, eggless, and gluten free cookies. So there really is something here to please everyone on your gift list.

Cookies and kids go hand-in-hand. The little ones will giggle with pleasure when they see Jaime’s Rudolph’s Christmas Sugar Cookies with edible pretzel antlers. For a truly merry Christmas tree, make ornaments out of Rosie’s Christmas Stained Glass Window Cookies and let the children hang them on your tree. Just don’t be surprised if a few of them go missing before Santa’s arrival. For adults who want to feel like a kid again, try Janelle’s festive red and green Wreath Cookies with “Red Hot” holly berries.

When a little rest and relaxation is needed, kick back, pop in your favorite holiday movie, and nibble on Ann’s stunning White Christmas Cookies. Or warm up with a hot tea and Margot’s Christmassy Cranberry Jam Cookies dusted with a snowy white icing sugar.

When it comes to classic Christmas cookies, does anything trump gingerbread? You’ll adore Andrea’s deliciously old-fashioned Gingerbread Men, which have sweet raisin eyes and cherry mouths. Your home will be filled with the fragrance of Christmas when you bake Mark’s comfortingly Soft Glazed Gingerbread or Cakelaw’s Spiced Gingerbread cookies, which can be made into charming Christmas tree ornaments.

For an international flavor, try Aparna’s graceful Achappam (Rose Cookies). These traditional Indian fried or steamed cookies are a lovely cross between a rose and a snowflake. Wendy’s Joulutorttu, (Finnish Christmas tarts), elegant pinwheel shaped tarts are divine with a steaming glass of glogi, a Finnish mulled wine. Though she lives in the U.S., Chelsea loves the classic Swedish cookie called Spritz - a light, sweet, buttery cookie that she adorns with green candy sprinkles.

When it comes to international cookies, you can’t go wrong with beloved Italian cookies and biscuits. My dad shows you how to make anise laced, waffle-like Italian Pizzelles, which are my family’s favorite. More Italian classics include Maryann’s subtly sweet, crunchy sesame-coated Regina Cookies and my Italian Pignoli (Pine Nut) Cookies, which are crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.

For a taste of Tuscany, try Bee and Jai’s orange-laced, crispy Ricciarelli (Tuscan Almond Cookies with Orange and Fennel). And surprise limoncello lovers on your Christmas list with Lynne’s light, sweet, and tangy Limoncello Glazed Ricotta Drops.

Every Christmas cookie platter should have Italian biscotti on it, and there are plenty to choose from. Nicisme makes merry Holiday Biscotti studded with dried red cranberries and crunchy green pistachios, while Gretchen Noelle makes scrumptious Almond Coffee Biscotti for coffee lovers. And to feel like you’re in an Italian cafe, try Deeba’s Biscotti made with olive oil, pistachios, and currants.

If you prefer candy-type cookies, then try Kara’s refreshingly merry Layered Peppermint Crunch Bark, which makes ideal gifts. You won’t be disappointed with Lisa’s deliciously boozy Best Ever Rum Balls or Arfi’s decadent Chocolate Snowdrops, truffle type cookies with almond pieces and rich cocoa baked inside.

When you’re time-crunched consider baking bar cookies or brownies; once the batter is whipped up, it gets baked all in one pan. You can’t get much easier than gooey, chewy Hello Dolly Cookie Bars. Brownie lovers will delight in Sarah’s fudgy, moist Holly Brownies made with dried cherry “holly berries,” or with Sharona’s chocolaty Peppermint Fudge, which is chock-full of zingy crushed candy canes.

For those on your list who have dietary restrictions or are watching their calories, try these delicious recipes: Eggless cookies can be remarkably tasty as Madhavi proves with her joyful Sugar Dusted Stars. Susan V has created a Fat-Free Gluten-Free Gingerbread Biscotti that has gotten thumbs of approval from her daughter, who knows her cookies. And for the taste of rich, buttery sugar cookies, without all the fat, try Nags’s Low-Fat Christmas Sugar Cookies.

Now let the baking begin!

As always, you can find even more delicious holiday cookie recipes on the FoodieView Recipe Search Engine.

Susan Russo lives in Southern California where she is addicted to local farmers’ markets. She publishes stories, recipes and photos on her cooking blog, Foodblogga, and is a regular contributor to NPR’s Kitchen Window.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 8th, 2008 at 11:40 am and is filed under Recipe Roundup. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.