12 Days of Cookiesfeatured

Today is 12/12/12 so I thought it would only be fitting if we dedicated today’s post to 12 Days of Cookies…erhm, squeezed into one day. Right.

OK, are you ready? Do you have Mariah Carey’s greatest holiday hits at full blast? Great. Here we go! You are going to nail that Christmas Cookie Swap with this roundup.

1. Classic Cutout Sugar Cookies

Classic Cutout Sugar Cookies – these are the kind of Christmas Cookies Mrs. Claus would approve of. This is the go-to recipe every holiday season for Kristen’s family, and I’m so glad she shared it with us! It’s a timeless favorite, chock full of nostalgia. You can’t mess with tradition.

2. Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

Soft and gooey on the inside, crisp and crinkly on the outside, these beautiful Peppermint Crinkle Cookies look like they’ve come in fresh from making snow angels. And, since the secret ingredient for that wonderful chewiness is Nutella, I know just how I’m going to use up the last of my Homemade Nutella.

3. White Chocolate Peppermint M&M Cookies

Ever since Maria posted these White Chocolate Peppermint M&M Cookies I have had an insatiable craving for candy canes…and, well, cookies. They remind me of the rainbow M&M cookies my mom used to make when we were little, except totally holiday’d out. If you are feeling a little Scroogey, pop a few of these treats in your mouth. You’ll perk right up.

4. Saffron-Vanilla “Snickerdoodles”

Snickerdoodle purists look away, this is not your cinnamon-sugar darling. No, Todd and Diane perfected that one years ago, and if that’s what you’re looking for, than you want this cookie instead. These Saffron-Vanilla “Snickerdoodles” however, are lovely in their own right, elegant and full of warm sunshine.

5. Ganache Stuffed Banana Pudding Cookie Muffins

Is it a cookie? Is it a muffin? Who cares what you call it, it is freakin’ delicious. I mean ZOMG, just look at that ooey gooey goodness. So these Ganache Stuffed Banana Pudding Cookie Muffins may not be the perfect cookie for shipping purposes…but I’ll guarantee it’s the perfect cookie for eating straight from the oven with a spoon purposes.

6. Chewy Pumpkin Toffee Cookies

These Chewy Pumpkin Toffee Cookies are full of buttery toffee bits and kissed with a touch of warm pumpkin spices. You’ll want to get cozy with these babies.

7. Vanilla Almond Orange Cloud Cookies (Gluten-Free)

These dreamy Vanilla Almond Orange Cloud Cookies remind me of the chewy cookies I fell in love with in Italy. Fragrant almond paste and whipped egg whites make these lovelies light and chewy, with a delicate crunch. This cookie is all class.

8. Milk Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Oreo Bars

If gingerbread, blondies, and Oreos had a threesome, you’d get these Milk Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Oreo Bars. That is all. Sorry, I’ll keep it clean now.

9. Brown Butter Oatmeal Chunk Cookies

I had a really tough time picking which of Jessica’s cookies to feature. I mean, a really tough time. After ogling page upon page of cookie porn, I came back to these Brown Butter Oatmeal Chunk Cookies. They are classic enough to please any crowd, but these aren’t just any old regular chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. What pushes these cookies over the edge is brown butter, oh glorious, golden nutty brown butter. Meow.

10. Rosemary Shortbread

For those who skew more towards savory than sweet, this Rosemary Shortbread has your name all over it. The recipe is an old standby from Melissa Clark and it’s great for a crowd. Put a stack of these next to the cheese plate at your next party and watch them disappear.

11. Snickers Bar Cookies

Peanut butter cookies reach a whole new level when they have chunks of Snickers buried inside. Evil. After seeing these Snickers Bar Cookies, I don’t think I can ever make regular PB cookies again. I mean, why would you?

12. Flourless Coconut Chocolate Drops (Gluten-Free)

These Flourless Coconut Chocolate Drops are like a chewy brownie/almond joy disguised as a cookie. Decadent and rich, but gluten-free and no butter, so yeah, go ahead and polish off a tray of them. No one will judge you.

*****Fa la la la la!!! Happy baking, friends!

You may also like:

• Holiday Cookies: Best of the Best (2011)
• The New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookie from Jacques Torres
• Chocolate Crack Cookies
• Ultimate List of Homemade Food Gifts