December 4 is National Cookie Day! This *very important* holiday is appropriately situated in the middle of the holiday season as we are all decking the halls and preparing for Christmas.
Baking cookies is the ultimate holiday season activity. When it’s cold outside, baking will warm you with physical activity and a warm oven. Baking can bring people together and then you have goodies to share with everyone from the mailman to your boss to your BFF.
The Grotto Team loves Christmas cookies (almost as much as we love donuts!) so we rounded up some of our favorite recipes to inspire your baking throughout this season of preparing for Christmas.
Becky: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are my favorite holiday cookie recipe because they taste delicious and have an amazing melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Liz: Peanut Butter Blossoms have been my favorite from a young age. My mom delights in telling the story of how I would “eat” them at Christmas parties by just eating the Hershey’s Kiss and placing the rest of the cookie back on the tray. (FYI, I will eat the entire cookie now.)
Javi: If you’re looking for a gourmet twist on a classic, look no further than Queen Bee Claire Saffitz of Bon Appétit and her gourmet Oreos. If you’re like me and don’t have time or talent for that, go here for the O.G.
Emily: Have you ever bitten into what you thought was a chocolate chip cookie only to realize that it was oatmeal raisin? This hearty oatmeal chocolate chip cookie with sea salt is the best of both worlds!
Mariah: During the holidays, I’m all about the peppermint mochas and anything resembling them in dessert form! Enter the Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Crinkle cookies. You’re welcome.
Jessie: While not technically cookies, Buckeyes have been a Christmas-time staple in my family for as long as I can remember. Not only are they a nod to my Ohio roots (Go Buckeyes!), but they’re sure to satisfy all your PB-chocolate cravings.
Josh: Making gingersnaps during the Christmas season is like making apple pie on the Fourth of July — both good year-round, but don’t miss them when it’s their time to shine. “Gingersnap” is a bit of a misnomer — we try to hit the sweet spot of pulling them out of the oven when they have a thin crust on top, but are chewy inside.
Bonus: Cooking and baking for people with dietary restrictions over the holidays? Check out this 1-Bowl Vegan Sugar Cookie recipe that is a true crowd-pleaser!
Going to try one of these recipes? Tag us on Instagram @GrottoNetwork!