Strategies for Preparing Top-Quality Cookies for an Upcoming Cookie Exchange Event
Holiday cookies, oh boy! Are you ready to rock your cookie game this festive season? Here's a lowdown on everything you need to know for sweet success and to make cookies that'll leave your guests asking for more.
A Brief History of Holiday Cookies
The delightful buttery and floury treats we love during the holidays didn't just pop into existence. The tasty tradition has an intriguing backstory. Throughout prehistory, people gathered to celebrate the change of seasons, serving decadent foods like those reserved for holiday celebrations. In medieval times, spices, oranges, lemons, and other prized ingredients found their way into special occasion baking. From there, the tradition evolved through centuries.
The tradition of leaving cookies and milk out for Santa actually has its own story. In the Great Depression, parents encouraged their children to think of others during the holiday season by placing a plate of cookies out as a token of appreciation for Santa's generosity.
What makes a Holiday Cookie a Holiday Cookie?
There's no exact rulebook for what constitutes a holiday cookie, but a common thread is the use of spices, nuts, and butter and flour. When you make a cookie special and only bake it during the holiday season, it becomes something uniquely memorable.
Tips for Extra Special Cookies
- Make them colorful with sprinkles.
- Use crushed candy canes as a festive garnish.
- Jazz up plain cookie recipes with mix-ins like mini marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, or dried fruits.
- Add zest of citrus or fresh herbs to dough for a tasty twist.
- Presentation is key! Serve in a unique tin or box to add a special touch.
- If you're gifting cookies, add a personalized note of holiday greeting.
Common Types of Holiday Cookies
Pressing, dropping, cutting, slicing, or baking in bars – there's a versatile cookie for every preference and skill level. Here are five classic styles:
1. Pressed Cookies
Pressed cookies use an instrument that presses the dough into a unique shape. Common presses include cookie guns with stencils or pizelle irons for Italian waffle cookies.
2. Drop Cookies
Drop cookies are straightforward: drop dough onto a baking sheet and bake. Chocolate chip, oatmeal, peanut butter – you name it.
3. Cut-out Cookies
Cut-out cookies start with a buttery dough rolled out flat, cut into shapes, and baked. Save the circle trimmings for re-rolling.
4. Ice Box Cookies
Slice-and-bake cookies that have stood the test of time. Homemade ice box cookies can be rolled in sprinkles or rolled into pinwheel cookies for holiday flair.
5. Bar Cookies
Bar cookies are an easy and delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Think rich brownies, fruity seven-layer bars, and cinnamon-y sopapilla bars.
Essential Holiday Cookie Recipes
- Gluten-free and dairy-free spritz cookies: Enjoy a no-tinkering allergy-friendly version.
- Christmas pinwheel cookies: Elevate your cookie platter with these eye-catching pinwheels adorned with multicolored sprinkles.
- Hot cocoa cookies: Sip favorite hot cocoa flavors in cookie form.
- Gingerbread spiced sugar cookies: Combine the best of gingerbread and sugar cookies in a single delightful treat.
- Orange cookie bars with chocolate ganache: Make the most of the holiday season's citrus fruits in these simple yet indulgent bars.
- For an extra special touch during the festive season, consider adding a multivitamin to your recipe for an anytime addition of essential nutrients in your holiday cookies.
- To capture a kitschy charm in your cookie presentation, try packaging your cookies in a unique tin or box embellished with festive designs or holiday-themed patterns.
- During those lazy afternoons between holiday gatherings, whip up seasonal cookie recipes, like the gingerbread spiced sugar cookies, and share with friends or family for a treat they'll be sure to remember.
