 
What's Christmas without cookies?
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Cookies are almost a way of life in our family, particularly for the holidays. For generations we have gathered in the kitchen weeks before Christmas to begin producing our annual spate of cookies. We have old favorites and are always trying new ones. Some pass from favor for a generation or two, but there are others that remain constant. There will always be a large glass jar of Springerle , with its slice of apple, aging on the pantry shelf. These of course must be made weeks before being served to achieve their proper texture. |
Non the less, the number in the jar always seemed to dwindle before they were deemed ready to eat. The Shortbread and Pheffernuse were set to age as well.
As the holidays grew nearer every available bit of pantry space is filled with fruit, nut, spice and chocolate filled nuggets of flavor and nostalgia. We usually begin officially breaking into the stores the day we put up the Christmas Tree. We set out a buffet of cheese, baguette, crackers, cookies and egg not to sustain us as we engage in the all important ritual of setting up the tree, testing the lights and unpacking all the treasures that will grace the tree for a few weeks before being carefully stored away for another year.
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Once the tree is up, a cookie buffet is established which will be remain throughout the holidays. Anyone who enters the house is offered a cup of tea, coffee, cider or a glass of wine and invited to partake of the cookie buffet.
The cookies also go into small boxes along with spiced walnuts, candied peel and stuffed dates to be wrapped and distribute to neighbors and friends. I’m not sure but what we may enjoy the ritual of preparing them even more than those who receive them. I hope you will find a recipe or two from the selection below that you will add to your holiday repertoire. |
And a new tradition; now that my own children are adults, on St._Nicholas_Day, December 6th; I invite the neighborhood children in to decorate cookies. It has become a much looked forward to event. Granted, my kitchen wears a patina of bright colored frosting and the floor is covered with red-hot’s, raisins, chocolate chips and colored sprinkles, but the kids have a good time.
Happy Holidays
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