Best Ever Cookie Connection Newsletter
Issue 009
December 22, 2009

Hi,

Welcome to the Cookie Connection and the Joy of Cookies

Making, Baking, Sharing, and More for Busy Home Cooks and Beginning Bakers!

It's December, the biggest month of the year for cookie bakers everywhere! Are your plans for cookie baking set? I will spend December 23 baking cookies with my friend Beth and her daughter.

The nice thing about cookie baking is that it can be done in stages. You can make up your dough one day and let it sit in the refrigerator for a day or two or three. Then you can bake your cookies on another day.

Most types of cookie dough and baked cookies freeze well too. Cookie baking doesn't have to be stressful once you know the secrets!

We've got lots of great easy cookie recipes to choose from too, which is another key to stress-less cookie baking.

Drop us a note if there is anything we can do to help!

PLEASE NOTE: For an easy-to-view version of this newsletter, or past issues, please visit the Best Ever Cookie Collection Back Issues Page.

Best-Ever-Cookie-Collection News...

Our most recent cookie recipe additions include...

• Soft Gingerbread Cookies - If you prefer your Gingerbread Cookies soft, this is the Gingerbread Cookie Recipe for you. It makes soft, spicy, chewy cut out cookies that are perfect for Gingerbread Men or any other shape you like!
• Gingerbread Cookie Recipes - I’ve got two great gingerbread cookie recipes here for you to choose from - the first makes a big batch of old-fashioned gingerbread cookie dough and the second makes a smaller more modern batch.
• Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Jam Bars - This recipe for Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Bars with Jam is a classic for good reason - It makes delicious Oatmeal Bars with minimal time and effort.
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie - Chocolate chip cookie pie is a delicious, rich, and decadent dessert. It's perfect when the occasion calls for something a little fancier than plain chocolate chip cookies.

This Month's Tips & Tricks for Cookie Baking Success

When a recipe says to drop or place a "teaspoonful of dough" onto your cookie sheet, it is directing you to use a serving teaspoon, not a measuring teaspoon, which will result in a larger amount of dough (usually about 2 measuring teaspoons worth). I like to use a Small Cookie Scoop when portioning out dough. It is much quicker and insures the cookies are all about the same size.

Favorite Christmas and Holiday Cookies

Here's what I will be baking for Christmas this year...

Cookie Cutter Sugar Cookies - A sturdier, less sweet sugar cookie that is perfect for decorating.

Peanut Butter Blossoms - These have been a Christmas cookie standard in my family for as long as I can remember.

Chocolate Crinkle Cake Mix Cookies - One of the favorites from last year's cookie tray and oh, so easy!

Favorite Jam Thumbprint Cookies - Coconut covered jam filled buttery shortbread elevates these thumbprint cookies to "Best of Class" in my book.

M&M Holiday Cookies - For years I baked these M&M cookies at Christmas using red and green M&Ms and everyone loved them and since I'm in a nostalgic mood will bring them back this year.

What are you baking for Christmas. We would love to hear. (Link to Content 2.0)

A Few Great Gift Idea for Christmas Cookie Lovers and Bakers

Looking for a cookie related gift? Here are a few ideas for you:

Cookies for Santa - Doesn't Santa deserve a special plate for his Christmas Cookies?

Yankee Candle Christmas Cookie Scented - For the smell of Christmas cookies without the baking.

Tasty Cookie Treats Baking Set - A professional style cookie baking set sized for kids.

That's All for Now. It's time for me to get into the kitchen and bake some cookies. May your holidays be filled with love, joy, comfort, cheer, and of course delicious homemade cookies!

Until next time -- wishing you lots of Cookie Joy -- Cookie Baking, Cookie Eating, Cookie Sharing!

Warmly,
Martha