Tag Archives: Christmas baking

7 Days of Christmas: Apricot-Pistachio Layer Cookies

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Psst- this post is in a series where I share my family’s tradition of baking seven different cookies every Christmastime. To save time and money, each cookie in this series is based on this basic vanilla cookie dough recipe.

This is my favorite cookies I made this year, and by far the trickiest (in fact, it may be one of my more fiddly recipes). I’m not going to lie- it was a little labor intensive- but totally worth the effort. The results are pretty and delicious and deeply satisfying to that sweet/salty craving we all get from time to time. Apricots and pistachios? Yes please!

Apricot-Pistachio Layer Cookies (yields 12 dozen)

1 c. ground pistachios

2/3 c. apricot jam

one batch of this vanilla cookie dough (include the baking powder this time!)

Prepare the vanilla cookie dough by following the instructions here. Shape dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, approximately 1 hour. Remove dough from fridge and roll out into a floured surface until about 1/8-inch thick. Cut the dough into 2×9-inch strips. Spread 2 tsp of jam onto one strip; and sprinkle with approximately 2 tbsp. Top with another strip of dough and repeat the process until you have 3-5 layers, leaving the topmost layer plain. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate again for 2 hours.

Once dough is set, remove from fridge and unwrap from plastic wrap. Using a clean, sharp knife, slice dough crosswise, approximately 1/8-inch thick. Place on a cookie sheet approximately 1/2-inch apart. Bake in an oven preheated to 350F on a parchment-lined cookie sheet until firm, approximately 12-14 minutes.

I’m counting down Christmas by sharing some of my favourite holiday cookie recipes with you! I’ll be posting a different Christmas cookie recipe every day for the next seven days so you can follow along in my family’s baking tradition, and have more cookies to add to your Christmas baking arsenal! For more inspiration, you can check out more of my baking here. For even more recipe inspiration check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.

7 Days of Christmas Cookies: Tropical Triangles

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Psst- this post is in a series where I share my family’s tradition of baking seven different cookies every Christmastime. To save time and money, each cookie in this series is based on this basic vanilla cookie dough recipe.

Citrus isn’t a really traditional choice for Christmas fare, but I couldn’t resist something a little fruity, festive and bright to counterpoint all that sweet chocolate-y stuff we get around this time of year. One friend said this brought back memories of the pineapple-baked ham her mom served at Christmastime. Another told me this cookie was like spending Christmas on the beach. It may be an unusual choice for a Christmas cookie platter, but trust me- you’ll be gobbling them up just like my friends did.

Tropical Triangles (yields 10 dozen)

2 tbsp grated lemon zest

1/3 c. finely chopped dried pineapple

1/3 c. finely chopped dried papaya

one batch of this vanilla cookie dough (include the baking powder this time!)

Prepare the vanilla cookie dough by following the instructions here. Incorporate lemon zest into dough until fully integrated; follow suit with the papaya and pineapple.  Divide dough into two logs, about 10 inches each long each. Use the palm of your hand or a rolling pin to flatten each long into a rectangle about 1-1/2 inches high. Wrap each rectangle in plastic wrap and refrigerate on a flat surface (like a cookie sheet) until very firm, approximately two hours.

Once dough is set, remove from fridge and unwrap from plastic wrap. Using a clean, sharp knife, slice your log into wedges, approximately 1-inch thick. Place on a cookie sheet approximately 1/2-inch apart. Bake in an oven preheated to 350F on a parchment-lined cookie sheet until firm, approximately 12-14 minutes.

I’m counting down Christmas by sharing some of my favourite holiday cookie recipes with you! I’ll be posting a different Christmas cookie recipe every day for the next seven days so you can follow along in my family’s baking tradition, and have more cookies to add to your Christmas baking arsenal! For more inspiration, you can check out more of my baking here. For even more recipe inspiration check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.

7 Days of Christmas Cookies: White Chocolate, Hazelnut and Cherry Coins

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Psst- this post is in a series where I share my family’s tradition of baking seven different cookies every Christmastime. To save time and money, each cookie in this series is based on this basic vanilla cookie dough recipe.

Talking with my friends about the food that we were nostalgic for when we were young inspired this Christmas recipe. I don’t really maraschino cherries, but the idea of making a slightly-less sweet (but no less delicious) cookie version of a cherry blossom was the closest I could get to making my friends the real thing. (In fact, it was so much fun that I might end up making real cherry blossoms next time!) For those of you who don’t have a sweet tooth, not to fear- the nuttiness takes a little bit of the edge off.

White Chocolate, Hazelnut and Cherry Coins (yields 10 dozen)

1/3 c. finely crushed hazelnuts

1/3 c. finely chopped white chocolate

1/3 c. whole maraschino cherries

one batch of this vanilla cookie dough (include the baking powder this time!)

Prepare the vanilla cookie dough by following the instructions here. In a separate bowl, mix together nuts and white chocolate. Incorporate into cookie dough until fully mixed. Divide  dough into four logs, about 5 inches each. Set two aside. With the remaining two, make a trench down the middle of the log using your finger or the handle of a wooden spoon. Carefully line with whole maraschino cherries, taking care not to leave too many gaps, but not cramming them so close together that they’ll squish. Cover each cherry log with the other plain cookie dough log and carefully mold the two together, taking care to make sure the dough fully conceals the cherries. Wrap each log in plastic wrap and refrigerate on a flat surface (like a cookie sheet) until very firm, approximately two hours.

Once dough is set, remove from fridge and unwrap plastic wrap. (Reshape the log if it’s looking a little sad.) Using a clean, sharp knife, slice your log into diagonal pieces, approximately 1/8-inch thick. If you go slowly and carefully enough, each of your cookies should have a slice of cherry in the middle! Place on a cookie sheet approximately 1/2-inch apart. Bake in an oven preheated to 350F on a parchment-lined cookie sheet until firm, approximately 12-14 minutes.

I’m counting down Christmas by sharing some of my favourite holiday cookie recipes with you! I’ll be posting a different Christmas cookie recipe every day for the next seven days so you can follow along in my family’s baking tradition, and have more cookies to add to your Christmas baking arsenal! For more inspiration, you can check out more of my baking here. For even more recipe inspiration check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.

7 Days of Christmas: Cranberry, Pistachio and Almond Cookies

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Psst- this post is in a series where I share my family’s tradition of baking seven different cookies every Christmastime. To save time and money, each cookie in this series is based on this basic vanilla cookie dough recipe.

There was a patient at the office who used to bring batches of these cookies around Christmastime. They became famous in our office because we couldn’t believe that such a frail, elderly lady had the stamina to stand in front of the oven for days on end as she must have done, baking all of these cookies for her family and friends. She was so slouch either- each one was perfectly shaped, sliced and baked to perfection. This version pales in comparison to hers but it was the closest I could come. Try them for yourself and see why these cookies became such an obsession!

Cranberry, Pistachio and Almond Cookies (yields 10 dozen)

1/3 c. finely crushed pistachios

1/3 c. finely crushed almonds

1/3 c. finely chopped dried cranberries

one batch of this vanilla cookie dough (include the baking powder this time!)

Prepare the vanilla cookie dough by following the instructions here. In a separate bowl, mix together nuts and cranberries. Incorporate with the cookie dough. Once they’ve been mixed in, divide dough in two pieces. Shape each into a log approximately 10 inches long. Wrap each log in plastic wrap and refrigerate on a flat surface (like a cookie sheet) until very firm, approximately two hours.

Once dough is set, remove from fridge and unwrap plastic wrap. (Reshape the log if it’s looking a little sad.) Using a clean, sharp knife, slice your log into diagonal pieces, approximately 1/8-inch thick. Place on a cookie sheet approximately 1/2-inch apart. Bake in an oven preheated to 350F on a parchment-lined cookie sheet until firm, approximately 12-14 minutes.

I’m counting down Christmas by sharing some of my favourite holiday cookie recipes with you! I’ll be posting a different Christmas cookie recipe every day for the next seven days so you can follow along in my family’s baking tradition, and have more cookies to add to your Christmas baking arsenal! For more inspiration, you can check out more of my baking here. For even more recipe inspiration check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.

7 Days of Christmas Cookies: Yule Nut Log

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Psst- this post is in a series where I share my family’s tradition of baking seven different cookies every Christmastime. To save time and money, each cookie in this series is based on this basic vanilla cookie dough recipe.

Let’s face it: Christmas is overloaded with sweet stuff. Between holiday parties and gifts and caroling with hot cocoa, we’ll probably consume enough sugar to last us for the whole year. (Or at least for a couple of weeks.)

That’s why I always think it’s nice to include a not-so-sweet cookie with a subtle flavor. Buttery vanilla pairs beautifully with any kind of salty, nutty flavor and it’s perfect with the hot drink of your choice.

Yule Nut Log (yields 10 dozen)

1/3 c. finely crushed peanuts

1/3 c. finely crushed pistachios

1/3 c. finely crushed hazelnuts

1/3 c. finely crushed almonds

one batch of this vanilla cookie dough (include the baking powder this time!)

Prepare the vanilla cookie dough by following the instructions here. In a separate bowl, mix together nuts. Pour in 1/3 of the bowl and incorporate with the cookie dough. (I wanted my cookies to have a really nutty flavor, but if you’re not into it then just keep all the nuts for the next part). Once incorporated, divide the dough in two pieces. Shape each into a log approximately 10 inches long. Spread out the rest of the nut mixture onto a flat surface and roll each log in it until fully coated, patting down as you go along to prevent too many crumbly bits falling off. Wrap each log in plastic wrap and refrigerate on a flat surface (like a cookie sheet) until very firm, approximately two hours.

Once dough is set, remove from fridge and unwrap plastic wrap. (Reshape the log if it’s looking a little sad.) Using a clean, sharp knife, slice your log into diagonal pieces, approximately 1/8-inch thick. Place on a cookie sheet approximately 1/2-inch apart. Bake in an oven preheated to 350F on a parchment-lined cookie sheet until firm, approximately 12-14 minutes.

I’m counting down Christmas by sharing some of my favourite holiday cookie recipes with you! I’ll be posting a different Christmas cookie recipe every day for the next seven days so you can follow along in my family’s baking tradition, and have more cookies to add to your Christmas baking arsenal! For more inspiration, you can check out more of my baking here. For even more recipe inspiration check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.

7 Days of Christmas Cookies: Dried Fruit Thumbprints

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Psst- this post is in a series where I share my family’s tradition of baking seven different cookies every Christmastime. To save time and money, each cookie in this series is based on this basic vanilla cookie dough recipe.

Dried fruit puts people instantly in mind of ancient fruit cakes from distant aunts that end up being used as doorstops but if you think this cookie is going to end up re-gifted (as so many fruit cakes are) you are mistaken. Pay no attention to the name- chopped dried fruit mixed into apricot jam packs a punch that’s neither too sweet or too tart in what would otherwise be a boring (but tasty!) thumbprint cookie.

Dried Fruit Thumbprints (yields approx. 5 dozen)

1 c. finely chopped dried fruit (I used dried cranberries, dried papaya and dried pineapple)

1 tbsp apricot jam

one batch of this vanilla cookie dough (minus the baking powder!)

Prepare the vanilla cookie dough by following the instructions here. Roll the dough out into 1-inch balls. Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Make a well in the center of each cookie by pressing down your finger. Refrigerate the dough until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350F for 7 minutes. Remove cookies from oven and make sure the well in each centre is still firm (I used the handle of a wooden spoon). Bake for another 7-9 minutes.

Place cookies on rack to cool. In a small bowl, mix together the dried fruit and jam (I used apricot, but depending on the fruit you use you may wish to experiment with another flavour. Use a small spoon to fill the centre of each cookie with the jam mixture. Let the jam set before serving.

Happy baking!

B

I’m counting down Christmas by sharing some of my favourite holiday cookie recipes with you! I’ll be posting a different Christmas cookie recipe every day for the next seven days so you can follow along in my family’s baking tradition, and have more cookies to add to your Christmas baking arsenal! For more inspiration, you can check out more of my baking here. For even more recipe inspiration check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.

7 Days of Christmas Cookies: White Chocolate Cranberry Thumbprints

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Psst- this post is in a series where I share my family’s tradition of baking seven different cookies every Christmastime. To save time and money, each cookie in this series is based on this basic vanilla cookie dough recipe.

I don’t know why, but there’s something about the combination of cranberries and white chocolate that feels so Christmas-y. It’s a pretty flavor combo too: I find white chocolate on its own a little too sweet but that tart cranberry just gives it that little bit of edge. It doesn’t hurt either that these cookies feature just the teeniest taste of each, giving you the best of both worlds in one tiny little punch smack dab in the centre of the cookie.

White Chocolate Cranberry Thumbprints (approx. 5 dozen)

1 c. white chocolate, melted

1/2 c. dried cranberries (to taste)

one batch of this vanilla cookie dough (minus the baking powder!)

Prepare the vanilla cookie dough by following the instructions here. Roll the dough out into 1-inch balls. Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Make a well in the center of each cookie by pressing down your finger. Refrigerate the dough until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350F for 7 minutes. Remove cookies from oven and make sure the well in each centre is still firm (I used the handle of a wooden spoon). Bake for another 7-9 minutes.

Place cookies on rack to cool. Using a small spoon or piping bag, fill the centre of each cookie with melted white chocolate. Sprinkle dried cranberries on top as desired. Let chocolate fully sit before serving. These are best stored in the fridge until your guests arrive! (But I won’t lie- they still taste pretty good all chocolatel-y and gooey and warm.

Happy baking!

B

I’m counting down Christmas by sharing some of my favourite holiday cookie recipes with you! I’ll be posting a different Christmas cookie recipe every day for the next seven days so you can follow along in my family’s baking tradition, and have more cookies to add to your Christmas baking arsenal! For more inspiration, you can check out more of my baking here. For even more recipe inspiration check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.

7 Days of Christmas Cookies: One-Dough Wonders

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A few years back I started sharing my family’s Swedish tradition of making seven different types of cookies at Christmastime and since then it’s kind of taken off- in my personal life, at least. I guess there were a lot of people IRL that didn’t realize that I baked, or that I baked that much around this time of year.

I started off by sharing some traditional Swedish favourites (with a few thrown in for variety). They were: traditional Swedish gingersnaps, maple butter cookies, jam slices, rugulahs, orange crunch cookies, vanilla horns and chocolate crinkle cookies.

The next year I found myself strapped for baking time and decided to do a “no-baking” theme for my cookie selection. (Okay, so maybe one of them you had to bake in the oven- but it still cuts down on the work!) Those recipes included Butterscotch Bars, Midnight Mints, Chocolate Roll, Date Pecan Bars, Marshmallow Roll, Pineapple Log, and Butterscotch Confetti.

So you’re probably wondering what on earth it is I’m going to do with all this:

Well, I’ll tell you what I’m going to do: this year I’m using the same vanilla dough base (with a couple of add-ins) and all of the ingredients you see above to make seven unique kinds of cookies that you can serve at any time of year, really. Once you got the dough down pat (recipe to follow), you can build yourself a collection of cookies that are surprisingly diverse in flavor (considering they’re all made from the same dough!).

One-Dough Wonder Vanilla Cookie Dough

(yields 5-10 dozen cookies depending on recipe)

3 c. all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder (omit if making thumbprint cookies)

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. unsalted butter

1 c. sugar

1 large egg

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Beat butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture and beat until combined. Dough can be covered in plastic wrap and chilled up to 2 days.

I can’t wait to show you some of the tasty treats I’ve come up with just by using this simple cookie dough. Stay tuned!

Happy baking!

B

I’m counting down Christmas by sharing some of my favourite holiday cookie recipes with you! I’ll be posting a different Christmas cookie recipe every day for the next seven days so you can follow along in my family’s baking tradition, and have more cookies to add to your Christmas baking arsenal! For more inspiration, you can check out more of my baking here. For even more recipe inspiration check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.

The Great Cookie Exchange

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Who doesn’t like Christmas cookies? (If you don’t, then you’re definitely not going to like this post.) One of my favourite things to do around this time of year is to give out baked goodies to everyone I know. Years and years ago I even used to do annual cookie exchanges with my friends.

You’ve done one of those before, right? Each party guest is assigned the task of bringing enough cookies for each party guest to take home (half to one dozen is a good amount) so everyone ends up with a variety of treats to serve at Christmas time. (That is, if they can last until then.)

Here’s some of what I learned from my past experiences:

  • Do try and circulate a list to get a sense of what everyone is bringing so you don’t get any repeats.
  • Don’t micromanage what every single person is going to make. The fun of it is having something unique from everyone, based on their background, their family traditions and their own personal preferences.
  • Do make sure you double-check for any dietary restrictions or allergies.
  • But if you do end up making a recipe someone can’t eat, don’t forget to bring them an alternative instead. (Like the gluten-free biscotti I made for my friend Andi here.)
  • Do pre-package your cookies for each guest to make life easier for you, your guests, and to protect against any contamination.
  • Don’t overdo it. No one likes a show-off at a cookie exchange (unless you’re showing off how many cookies you can eat).
  • Do make sure to bring along a copy of the recipe just in case any one wants to try it out for themselves. (The only exception is if it’s a super-top secret family recipe.)
  • Don’t take it personally if someone declines your cookies! It’s probably got more to do with their personal tastes than it does your baking.

As for baking inspiration? Well around this blog, we’ve got plenty. In my last post I talked about all the Christmas cookies that I usually make every year, but the recipes found here and here are also great to make as take-alongs. I even participated in an online cookie exchange once. I’ve also been amassing a list of recipes that I’d like to try here on Pinterest.

What are you making for Christmas this year? Are you and your friends holding a cookie exchange? Let us know all the details by commenting below or emailing me at keepingbusyb@gmail.com

And hey, I realize I am not the only baking blogger on the blog. If you’ve got some great recipes you’re sharing on your blog for Christmas (or any other holiday) leave a comment below with the name of your blog and the link to your favourite recipe.

Can’t wait to see what you guys have been baking!

Holiday celebrations can be fun, but only if you can ensure that things go smoothly. While there are never any guarantees when it comes to social gatherings, there are still plenty of ways to get your holiday game on. Click here to read more of them, or click here or here to read about some of the other best practices I’ve been trying to put into my place in my life.

Do you have any tips on how to survive the holidays? Save us by commenting below or email your suggestions to keepingbusyb@gmail.com

Ready, Set, Celebrate!

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Now that Halloween has passed we’ve all inevitably started talking about the holiday season. (Here in Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving a little earlier, so there’s really nothing else to look forward to during the month of November.)

This is the time of year when everyone’s schedules start filling up with celebrations and social events. Unfortunately, each of those events come with its own set of tasks that make people start feeling frantic instead of festive. There’s just so much to do. A friend of mine put it very eloquently: “I love Christmas, but there’s just so much s@&! to do!”

Planning is kind of my thing, so I often share how I organize my holidays on the blog: here’s how I get a head start on Christmas cards, how I plan my gift shopping and my Boxing Day strategy. If you really have the drive to plan far ahead, you may find this post on cleaning up after the holidays useful.

For the past couple of years I’ve carried out the Swedish tradition of baking seven different cookies at Christmas time. Here’s what’s been in my arsenal so far: Traditional Swedish Gingersnaps, Maple Butter Cookies, Jam Slices, Vanilla Horns, Rugulahs, Orange Crunch Cookies, Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, Midnight Mints, Butterscotch Confetti, Date Pecan Bars, Chocolate Roll, Pineapple Log, Marshmallow Roll, Butterscotch Bars etc. (Stay tuned- in the month of December I’ve got seven brand new cookie recipes for you I think you’re going to love.)

I love writing about the holidays and all the kindness it brings out in people, but I realize for some there can be a dark side of the season. A couple of years back I had a very difficult Christmas so I channeled that energy into writing a blog post about being alone during the holidays– and how you’re really not alone if you feel that way. (You may also want to check out this post if you’re feeling down.)

And if that isn’t enough holiday goodies for y’all then you’re in for a treat- for the next six weeks or so I’ll be sharing more of my favourite holiday recipes, some fantastic Christmas gift ideas and some of my secrets for staying sane during this busy time of year.

Don’t worry if even reading this post is giving you the shakes; this holiday season, we’re all in this together!

Holiday celebrations can be fun, but only if you can ensure that things go smoothly. While there are never any guarantees when it comes to social gatherings, there are still plenty of ways to get your holiday game on. Click here to read more of them, or click here or here to read about some of the other best practices I’ve been trying to put into my place in my life.

Do you have any tips on how to survive the holidays? Save us by commenting below or email your suggestions to keepingbusyb@gmail.com