Holiday Treats - Day 1

So this past week, my family asked me when I was going to start my holiday baking. And I don't know about you but when I bake it's a two day event especially when you ask a 20 year old boy what he would like you to make this year...big mistake. I had to cut his list off as I am only one person. So this past Friday and Saturday I was stuck in a kitchen only taking a break to help with some outside decorating that my son took upon himself to do (bless him) and luckily on Sunday I ventured to the city to watch the Lion King musical with my mom.

What does this mean for you readers, it means I will share some recipes of our favorite cookies along with pictures of course. So what did I make you ask well here is the long list. (and please note I won't show pictures and recipes of all of it but just a few things in general as some of these items are probably common to your own cookie recipe stash, but if you need a recipe for anything listed below that I didn't share feel free to ask.)

This year my baking included
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Rugelach with a fig and date filling
Caramel popcorn Brownies (two desserts in one)
Cinnamon Pinwheel Cookies
Cherry Almond Cookies
Snickerdoodle Cookies
Peanut Blossoms Cookies
Toffee Bars
Tart Cherry Bars
Fudge
Rocky Road Fudge
Divinity
Almond Bark
Lemon Pound cake with fresh cranberries

First up, Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies . Now I think these are by far the best cookie you can gift give. They are easy to make, they transport easily, they package easily and they not only taste delicious but they speak holiday with cranberries and white chocolate. I first made these cookies 4 years ago and they became a fast favorite in our house. If you haven't started your baking you might want to add these to your list or just make them during they year.

Oatmeal - Cranberry Cookies

Makes ~ 4 dozen Cookies

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper

Whisk Together in a separate bowl

2 C all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Cream together in a separate mixing bowl until light and fluffy
2 sticks (1 C) unsalted butter
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar (l use dark but light is fine)
2 eggs
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Stir in Flour mixture (above) until just mixed in then

Fold in
3 C (not instant) Oatmeal
1 C dried cranberries
6 oz Ghiradelli White Chocolate Chips (or chopped white chocolate, good quality)

Drop cookies in 3 T mounds ( I used a # 40 cookie scoop or a jumbo scoop) onto the parchment lined paper and 2inches apart. Bake 11-13 minutes or until golden but still a little moist. Let cookies cool on the pan for 3-5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack.

Then wrap em up for gift giving (I did this for a cookie exchange one year)