Pecan Sandies

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"Pecan sandies combine the quintessentially toasty Southern taste of pecans with buttery shortbread. In this recipe, chopped toasted pecans are dotted throughout the cookie, which has a pleasant, tender crumb."  Comment from Southern Living

One of my favorite cookies!  It will be my pleasure to make these for the first time.  I love the cookies from the grocery store, so I am going to super love these homemade cookies.

Click here to go to the Southern Living recipe page.

Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies

Photo source:  Bless This Mess

"These Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies are thick, fudgy, and loaded with chocolate-mint flavor. Made with cocoa powder, brown sugar, and Andes mint pieces for the perfect brownie-like cookie!"  Comment from Bless This Mess

Love the idea of a mint flavored brownie-like cookie!  I had no idea that Andes Mint Chips exist.  What a great idea and would be a good alternative to chocolate chips or include both in a chocolate chip cookie.  Thanks to Melissa of Bless This Mess for this recipe.

Click here to go to the Bless This Mess recipe page.

Cake Mix Cookies

 

Photo source:  Crazy For Crust

"There ain't no shame in the semi-homemade game: I love a cake mix cookie. They're actually one of my favorites - always soft, so much flavor, and SOOOOO easy. PLUS you can make them so many different ways."  Comment from Crazy For Crust

Love the versatility and so easy.  Perfect for beginning bakers.

Click here to go to the Crazy For Crust recipe page.

Lemony Butter Cookies

 

Photo source:  Food and Wine

"This simple lemon butter cookie recipe is made from only a handful of ingredients. That means for the flavor to really shine, it's especially important you use fresh lemon juice and high-quality butter."  Comment from Food and Wine

Butter cookies with lemon flavor sounds good to me.

Click here to go to the Food and Wine recipe page.

The Best Way To Store Cookies To Keep Them Fresh

 

Photo source:  Simply Recipes

After all that trouble you go through to bake those delicious cookies, the last thing you want is for them to go bad and have to throw them away because you didn't store them properly.

There is more to storing cookies than you would think.  Simple Recipes goes into the details of storing your cookies. 

Click here to go to the Simply Recipes informative article to save you from losing your cookies.

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/how-to-store-cookies-expert-11858960

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

 

Photo Source:  Crazy For Crust

"Lemon Shortbread Cookies are sweet and tender with tons of lemon flavor from lemon zest and lemon juice. They’re buttery and crunchy and the perfect shortbread cookie recipe – you can make them any shape you want. These cookies are the best recipe for lemon lovers everywhere." comment from Dorothy of Crazy For Crust

Lemon lover here . . . lemon flavor, buttery and crunchy is calling my name.  Sounds like a winner for me!

Click here to go to the Crazy For Crust recipe page.

Russian Tea Cake

 

Photo source: Crazy For Crust

"A classic Christmas Cookie, tea cakes are buttery cookie balls filled with nuts, also called Snowball Cookies. They only have a few ingredients and are rolled in powdered sugar after baking. They’re delicate and practically dissolve in your mouth."  Comment from Crazy For Crust

This cookie goes by many names, but it looks like they are a little different.  I remember similar cookies from my childhood, but it was formed more like a crescent and I loved them.  The cookie itself is very delicious and one that you can't just have one, they are very addicting.

Click here to go to the Crazy For Crust recipe page.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

 

Photo source:  Maria's Mixing Bowl

"Over the years, we’ve made our fair share of sugar cookies, but this recipe with cream cheese might just be our favorite. Let us tell you, you haven’t lived until you’ve had these cookies!  Comment from Maria's Mixing Bowl

Sugar cookies are already delicious, but adding cream cheese is outstanding!  This has got to be the ultimate Christmas cookie.

Click here to go to Maria's Mixing Bowl recipe page.

Sparkling Linzer Cookies

Photo source:  Southern Living

 

"Try this versatile recipe with other fillings, such as cranberry preserves or orange marmalade. For the chocolate lovers, there's always Nutella. You can also customize the center cut-outs. You could keep it simple with a smaller circle or punch out a mini snowflake. It’s easy to put your own creative spin on these festive sandwich cookies."  Comment from Southern Living - Editor's Note: This recipe was developed by Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman; the recipe tips were written by Alana Al-Hatlani.

I have heard of Linzer Cookies, but never had them.  They look delicious and festive.  Great presentation for any special occasion.

Click here to go to the Southern Living recipe page.

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"Kisses make cookies sweeter. These Hershey's kiss cookies are among our favorite recipes for that very reason."  Comment from Southern Living Test Kitchens

Southern Living claims this is the most googled Christmas cookie for 2025.  I understand why.  I love peanut butter cookies and chocolate kisses, so it has got to be outstanding.

Click here to go to Southern Living Test Kitchens recipe page.

Almond Joy Cookies

 

Photo source: Mom on Timeout

"If you love coconut, boy are you in for a treat today! These easy Almond Joy Cookies take just four ingredients and don’t even require a mixer! No beating, no chilling, just mix ’em up and throw ’em in the oven EASY! You’re going to love these ooey gooey fabulous cookies!" Comment from Trish of Mom on Timeout.

You can't go wrong with the delicious ingredients and so easy to put together.  These cookies are a winner!

Click here to go to Trish's recipe page.

Butter Pecan Cookies

 

Photo source: Martha Stewart

"These delicate, buttery cookies, which get their crunchy texture from toasted pecans and a sugar coating, practically melt in your mouth." - comment about the cookie from Martha Stewart.com.

They sound like the best cookies ever that I would love to try!  How about crumbling a cookie over a bowl of butter pecan ice cream?

Click here to go to the recipe page.

Basic Thumbprint Cookies

 

Photo source: Better Homes and Gardens

"One of the most common answers to "What is your favorite Christmas cookie?" has to be "Thumbprints!" Not only can these sweets be baked and frozen up to three months in advance for a stress-free season, but they can also be dressed up with all kinds of flavor combos. Might we recommend lemon-coconut, almond-cherry, or peanut butter and jelly?" - description of recipe from Better Homes and Gardens.

Love the fact that they are so easy to make ahead and freeze, also so many variations are possible.  They are a very versatile cookie.

The beautiful photo with different versions of the same cookie gave me an idea for homemade gift-giving package . . . make different versions and make packages mixing them up.  It would make an awesome colorful presentation.

Click here to go to the recipe page.

Almond Crescent Cookies

 

Photo source: Simply Recipes

These cookies are a childhood favorite that take me back to italian weddings.  I don't know if the cookies at the weddings were exactly the same, but they were as I remember them.  I'm sure they are known by a different name and maybe they were a different shape.  I'll have to do a post on italian cookies that I loved.

The origins of this cookie from the editors of Simply Recipes: "These cookies are traditional Austrian cookies, sometimes called Viennese crescents. They're often given as Christmas gifts. Similar cookies can be found in many culinary traditions. Greek kourabiedes (a.k.a Greek wedding cookies), walnut snowballs, and Mexican wedding cookies are all crumbly, nutty, and rolled in sugar like these almond crescent cookies."

Click here to go to the recipe page.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeye Cookies

 

Photo source: Real Mom Kitchen

Chocolate and peanut butter is always an awesome combination.  These cookies would be very appealing on your buffet table for a special occasion.

This recipe comes from Laura from Real Mom Kitchen . . . click here to go to her recipe page.

How to Make the Best Sugar Cookies from Martha Stewart

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart

Two of Martha Stewart's favorite bakers give their expert advise on how to make the perfect sugar cookies.  Those sugar cookies are beautiful.  This article will help you make the best ones you can.

Click here to go to Martha's Sugar Cookie Tip page.

Martha Stewart has been a domestic role model for me.  When I quit working and JR and I became a one income family, I listened to every word she said about everything.  Her recipes never let me down.

She also provides the link to another article that features 12 Classic Christmas Sugar Cookie recipes. Click here to go to the recipe page.  You gotta try them!

Holiday Cookie Recipes from the Food Network

This is a post from 2013 that deserves a reposting

Need inspiration for your holiday cookie baking?  

Whether you give your holiday cookies as gifts, make them for your holiday parties or just want some new cookie ideas, Food Network has prepared an awesome holiday cookie section on their website.  I could not pick a favorite to feature . . . there are too many to choose from!

Click here to go there!

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

 

Photo source: Mom on Timeout

Christmas cookies are so special.  One of my holiday favorites was a dessert buffet covered with colorful and festive Christmas cookies.  One of my favorite childhood Christmas cooking/baking activities was making and decorating Christmas cookies.  Funny how a simple food item can conjure up so many memories.

Here is one to add to your collection.  It comes from Trish at Mom on Timeout.  Click here to go to her recipe page.

Semi-homemade versatility of cake mixes

Grocery store shelves are filled with all types of products that cater to those cooks who are looking for convenience and saving time in the kitchen.  

Cake mixes are one of those products that make semi-homemade baking so fast and easy.  

Discount stores like Big Lots have a permanent place on their shelves for cake mix.  For example, many are meant for other countries, therefore the instructions are in another language.  You can buy cake mix for a fraction of the cost if the language is different.

Tiffany at Eat At Home.com has perfected it a science.  Click here to go to Tiffany's article . . . don't forget to check out the comments for even more ideas and recipes from her followers!  

Huffington Post has posted an article on cakes you can make with cake mix and soda . . . you would not believe the variety!  Click here to go to the article.

You will be amazed!

Mini Cheesecake Cookie Bites

What a cute and delicious idea!  

I didn't even know that cheesecake cups with removable bottoms existed!  Great concept for so many recipes :)

Just say cheesecake and you've got my attention!  You can't get any easier than this recipe for a last minute dessert to take to a party or just to enjoy at home.  

I've used other cheesecake recipes from Pillsbury's website and always get requests for the recipe.

Source:  Pillsbury

By Jocelyn Delk Adams
Publish Date: September 23, 2013

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 package Pillsbury™ Ready to Bake!™ chocolate chip cookies
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups whipped cream topping (from aerosol can)
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. 

Remove 12 dough rounds from cookie dough package; save remaining dough for a later use. 

Place 1 dough round in each of 12 mini cheesecake cups with removable bottoms.

Bake 14 minutes. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer on medium to high speed 3 to 4 minutes until smooth. 

Using rubber spatula, gently fold in whipped cream topping.

Gently spoon or pour cream cheese mixture over each cooled cookie until cup is full; smooth top until flat. Freeze at least 3 hours to set.

Just before removing cheesecakes from freezer, place chocolate chips and coconut oil in microwavable bowl. 

Microwave on High in increments of 20 seconds until chocolate is completely melted. Beat mixture with whisk until smooth.

Once cheesecakes are firm, remove pan from freezer. Gently release cheesecakes from cups. Remove cup bottoms from cheesecakes; place on cooling rack. 

Decoratively drizzle melted chocolate over tops of cheesecakes. 

Let stand 2 to 3 minutes to set before serving.