Sour Cream Twists

Before mahjongg this afternoon, a bit of baking for my ladies. This is a cookie we made at Christmastime when I was young, twisting the dough pieces into a candy cane shape rather than straight like these. I’ve had it in my recipe box for a long time, but haven’t made it in at least … More Sour Cream Twists

New! Hershey’s puts out new Kiss. I make a new cookie. Candy Cane Snicks.

I went looking for my favorite Hershey’s Kisses for Christmas baking, those with dark chocolate covering a mint cream truffle. I couldn’t find them but spied the new (to me, anyway) Candy Cane Kisses and said “Yes, please. I can see a new cookie this year in my Snick line.” The dough has a hint … More New! Hershey’s puts out new Kiss. I make a new cookie. Candy Cane Snicks.

Rocky Road Brownies with Roasted Pecans

Who doesn’t want something chocolate and delicious in the Christmas goody box besides fudge? This year I made chocolate fudge with no nuts, but the brownies are another story. Rocky Road brownies are “just” brownies with added marshmallows, chips and nuts either in or on the cookie. Some folks like no nuts, some like walnuts, … More Rocky Road Brownies with Roasted Pecans

“Boy Version” Coconut Dream Bars, Recipe

First thing this morning, while the coffee was brewing, I was cutting the parchment for these cookies. They’re also known as Hawaiian Dream Bars* in my family, another of my mother’s favorites. I didn’t put butterscotch chips in these, so the coconut is the star. If you’re wondering why I’ve provided them a gender-defining name, … More “Boy Version” Coconut Dream Bars, Recipe

Next: Peanut Butter & Honey Cookies

What? Peanut butter cookie for the Christmas mix? Nope. These are peanut butter and honey, a different cookie almost entirely. Again, one of my mother’s favorite hide-a-ways. Christmas cookies and candies, when I’m the decider, are about different flavors and textures but now I consider the shortened length of my kitchen time, both in number … More Next: Peanut Butter & Honey Cookies

Today it’s Cinnamon Butter Cookies & Kashmiri Fennel Mini Tea Cakes

Those crunchy buttery cookies of cinnamon goodness, special for my mother. There’s gotta be a couple types that she can stash away in her dresser drawer, and today I made them both. She loves butter cookies and this year I chose spice to go with the sugar. The other is these bite-size nuggets, mini teacakes … More Today it’s Cinnamon Butter Cookies & Kashmiri Fennel Mini Tea Cakes

And today … Royal Velvet Lavender Caramels in the pan

Yep, it was the lavender sugar in the jar, infused since St. Patrick’s day and ready for cookies or caramels for the Christmas goody tins, made the answer to the question — what kind of caramels this year? — easy. Lavender is most definitely one of those yes-please or no-thank-you flavors, and for several people … More And today … Royal Velvet Lavender Caramels in the pan