Ahh, Christmas is finally here. Sure, the house has been decorated with snowmen, garland and twinkling lights for weeks, but the sign that Christmas has arrived is a nighttime snack of Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.
Last Saturday was the first time this season I ate cookies and hot cocoa for a snack. Yes, it might look like a measly portion of hot chocolate in the mug but too much cocoa near bedtime makes this guy restless (not good for trying to fall asleep).
So I exercised moderation with the chocolate, drinking a 5-ounce cup with a homemade marshmallow floating on top. I warmed whole milk in a saucepan and added 2 tablespoons of Ghirardelli sweetened cocoa powder.
The stained-glass looking confection is a fruitcake cookie, a recipe from Ina Garten. The cookies are packed with dried figs, candied cherries, raisins and walnuts. Disclaimer: The fruit and nuts need to soak overnight with a little sherry and honey. You’ll also notice the online recipe has dried apricots and pecans instead of walnuts. I used the recipe printed in Garten’s book, “Barefoot Contessa at Home.”
This is basically a shortcake cookie with dried fruit and nuts. Roll the dough into a log, chill overnight and simply slice and bake. The other two cookies are a honey spritz version I helped my mom make at my grandma’s house. My grandma even got in on the decorating, topping the cookies with the tiny sugared beads. Wednesday we’re making Meemaw’s cookies, a recipe from Paula Deen that has taken a place in our Christmas cookie repertoire. Think of an oatmeal cookie studded with toffee, shredded coconut and dipped in white chocolate with peppermint pieces sprinkled on top. Sweet, rich and refreshing from the peppermint, these cookies are addicting.
Meemaw’s cookies, a recipe that appeared on Paula Deen’s show, are loaded with goodies such as cocont and toffee and dipped in white chocolate.
Have fun baking and let me know what cookies you’re making. Merry Christmas!
Awaken Your Appetite 