Book review -- CHRISTMAS COOKIE JAR

For today, I thought I would share a book review of a favorite new cookbook, Christmas Cookie Jar.  This Gooseberry Patch cookbook has been available for awhile, but I obtained a copy just this spring -- so, although this is not a new book, it is new to me.

The cover on this book is so gorgeous that I had to dip into its pages right away.  Here's the listing of chapters in the table of contents:

Simply Divine Drop Cookies
Clever Cut-Outs
Best-Ever Bar Cookies
Old-Fashioned Cookies
Treats in a Twinkle
Mmm ... Chocolate.

Each chapter contains many fabulous-sounding recipes.  It's worth noting that the drop cookie chapter also contains many molded cookies -- the type you roll into a ball or other shape before placing on the cookie sheets.  I'm mentioning this because I personally dislike making drop cookies.  I will try and roll drop cookie dough into balls whenever possible.  I just think they look neater, prettier and more uniform.  A cookie scoop does help some with making drop cookies, but I tend to avoid them.  So if you are that way too, don't skip over the drop cookie chapter.  It contains plenty of recipes you will want to use.

I must also say that, just like Grandma's kitchen, this book contains many sweet surprises.  There are bonus recipes in each chapter for snacks, candies and beverages

For each chapter, I will mention one of my favorite recipes plus one that I want to try.  Here we go:
Simply Divine Drop Cookies
 A favorite recipe from here that I have made countless times is the Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprints.  These cookies are absolutely beautiful and taste incredible.  I have never served these without someone asking for the recipe.  A recipe I would love to try is the Lemon Delights -- a cream cheese cookie with chopped pecans and a lemon cheese filling.

Clever Cut-Outs
I have not tried any of the recipes from this chapter so they are all new to me.  But I want to try the Chocolate Mint Stars, the Jolly Cinna-Men and the delicious-sounding Brown Sugar Hot Tea.

Best-Ever Bar Cookies
A favorite recipe from this chapter that I've made many times is Teresa's Tasty Apricot Bars.  These bars are great made with raspberry or strawberry jam as well.  One I would love to try is the Scandinavian Almond Bars, which are made sort of like biscotti, baked, then sliced. 

Old-Fashioned Cookies
Many (but not all, by any means)  of the recipes from this chapter are heirloom type recipes from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.  I have made the Polish Cookie Balls (also known as Russian Tea Cakes) countless times, and they are always one of the big favorites on my cookie trays.  A recipe I would love to try is the Almond Cream Spritz, made with cream cheese in the dough and topped with almonds.  It sounds very different and delicious.

Treats in a Twinkle
These are quick and easy recipes, with many of them being no-bake, made with mixes, and so on.  The Oatmeal Drop Cookies, pretty much a classic no-bake recipe, are excellent.  The Club Cracker Goodie Bars are fantastic and taste a lot like Kit-Kat candy bars.  A recipe I'd like to try from this chapter is the Marbled Cheesecake Bars, made with a German chocolate cake mix and milk chocolate chips.

Mmm ... Chocolate
The title says it all!  The Cool Mint Chocolate Swirls, fudgy cookies topped with a melted, swirled mint wafer, are fantastic.  The Tex-Mex Chocolate Snappers are very good too.  I hope to try the Rocky Road Fudge and the Cookies & Vanilla Cream Fudge.

In addition, this cookbook contains dozens of helpful hints and tips for baking, packaging, and gifting cookies and it shares many sweet and simple craft and decorating ideas. 

I'll share just one of these hints:  "Give a cookie sampler!  Place several yummy cookies in each cup of a shiny new muffin tin."  Sounds like a sweet idea!

I was so pleased with this book.  If I could own only one cookie cookbook, I think I would pick this one.  There is great variety among the recipes and many of them are quite different and unusual.  A great resource for Christmas baking!

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