Tuesday, November 05, 2019

2019's tentative Christmas baking list!


So this morning I was able to take a few minutes and make some plans for Christmas baking.  I typically bake and freeze many of our Christmas cookies ahead.  We give cookie trays as gifts, plus it seems as if a cookie and fudge tray always works well for any holiday potluck or party we are invited to.

Often, if it works out for me timewise, I will begin my Christmas cookie baking on the day of our first significant snowfall, which is often before Thanksgiving.  Astute New Englanders will quickly grasp the problem with this otherwise charming idea:  There are times -- not often, it's true -- but there are those occasional years when we don't get snow until very close to Christmas indeed.  So if I held to my "first snowfall" tradition, we might not have any Christmas cookies baked and stored away for gifting!  So I usually start sometime in November, definitely before Thanksgiving.

Mr. T is retiring from his logging job mid-December, so he will get to help me this year.  He loves baking Christmas cookies!

You may not be able to read that scribbled list, so I will type it out here, adding links to recipes as I can.

🌟Lemon Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

🌟Chocolate Spritz

🌟  Sacher Torte Cookies

🌟 Eggnog Log Cookies


🌟  Whipped Shortbread Cookies

🌟  Chocolate Mint Crisps

🌟Almond Shortbread Thumbprints


🌟Christmas No-Bakes

🌟 Secret Spice Cookies

🌟Gingerbread Men?

🌟Christmas Tree Spritz?
I've also purchased (on clearance after last Christmas) a few plates to use in gifting cookies:



Now: on the reverse side of my tentative baking list, I make 2 more, shorter, tentative lists: one for kitchen gifts and one for candies and confections.  I'll share those lists soon!

20 comments:

  1. Oh, Mrs. T, I wish I was on your Christmas cookie list, as a recipient! ;-) What a decadent array of goodies! They all look fabulous and I'm certain everyone is looking forward to their tray of special cookies.
    When my children were growing up, I used to make fifteen kinds of sweets and a few of those were cookies. But there were fruit cakes, donuts, peanut brittle and two kinds of fudge as well as other things Oh, those were the days! Of course we had lots of company in those days too. It would be quite the day if Hubby helped me bake anything. He tends to stay out of my kitchen although he does help with the donuts which is a very good thing. Thank you so much for sharing with us and joining my No Place Like Home Party. Blessings to you...Sandi

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    1. Wow, fifteen kinds of sweets! How amazing! I'm sure your children, husband and company just loved that.

      Glad to hear that your hubby helps with the donuts. I think donuts are really a two person job if one is deep frying them.

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  2. Yum....all look delicious.

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  3. I always want to bake and freeze ahead, but to tell you the truth the thought of freezing completely intimidates me. Will you please share your freezing process with me? You can email me with Freezing for Dummies instructions! Thank you.

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    1. As we discussed, Vicki, I'm going to put together a Freezing for Dummies post. Your question made me stop and think that there may just be others who would also like those instructions. Meanwhile, I think the instructions that I emailed you should help you get started with baking and freezing.

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  4. You have chosen some wonderful cookies. I’m wishing I could reach right in and nab one or two to enjoy with my coffee. Happy Baking! Happy retirement to Mr. T!

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    1. I'm wishing you could do that too, Vee! Happy Baking to you and your sis whenever you have your baking day!

      24 more days until retirement. He's looking forward to it!

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  5. What a beautiful blog you have.
    I am your newest follower. Thanks for visiting my blog. You have some lovely Christmas goodies baked. I will certainly bake some. Thelma...

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    1. Well, thank you, Thelma! I'm so happy you are here!

      As you can see, I simply love Christmas. Lord willing, I'll be posting here every day during December!

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  6. We just had our first bit of snow here in Vermont. It normally happens in October so it is strangely late this season. The snow makes one want to bake and happily work in the kitchen!

    I often make cookies and fudge to give as gifts. I love all the pictures you shared of the different cookies you make! So inspiring!

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    1. Thank you, Mrs. White! Here in NH we are having our first measurable snow today and maybe into tomorrow. If it keeps up through tomorrow, I may try to spend some quality time in the kitchen!

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  7. Oh my!! My mouth is watering! I do the exact same thing . . . I start baking right before Thanksgiving and freeze most everything. I keep a list from year to year in a folder of my holiday baking and meals with notes as to what we liked/didn't like etc. but I always have my 5-6 'staple' cookies that I bake. I love lemon so I'll be trying those lemon shortbread cookies! Yum!

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    1. You are really organized, Lauren! I try to do the same with my baking lists and menus and how we liked or didn't like them.

      The lemon shortbread cookies are a recipe I found last year and everyone loves them. I hope you enjoy them!

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  8. What a geat assortiment of cookies! I am making 3 or 4 this year and I Always have lots leftover. My mom used to bake big quantities and varieties too, but she has shortened her list in the last few years

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    1. Someday I may pare down the varieties of cookies I bake, too, but I'm not sure. There are several that are such favorites with family members that I could never leave them off the list!

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  9. Oh! I love this time of year.🎄

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    1. I do, too, Sandi! The most wonderful time of the year!

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  10. Your Christmas cookie list is making me hungry, Mrs. T! I'll have to try some of your favorites.

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    1. Oh, I hope you do, Kitty, and that you enjoy the ones you try!

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