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| Chocolate Mint Crinkle Cookies |
OK. I know you have already seen the above cookies. I'm not losing my mind, I promise. Think of today as a day without words. A quiet day, where one thinks in thoughts. Imagine if you will, all the sweets in the world without calories. Not a bad thought, eh? (I suppose then I'd find another vice and one that would probably be loaded with calories!)
Well, I don't know about you, but I am in total overload and I kind of feel guilty about overloading you more. So today, I'm just posting some of our sweet family favorites, that I usually make about now. This year it is just me and Manservant, so looking at these are kind of like taking a trip down memory lane.
First up, is my famous Fool's Toffee. I've been making these since before the kid's were born. It is buttery, chocolatey and crisp like real toffee, and totally addicting. Don't say I didn't warn you. And did I say these take about 15 minutes to prepare? A perfect gift if you don't eat it all yourself! Alex and Manservant love these.
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| Fool's Toffee |
Next we have Magic Cookie Bars. These are magic because they are so simple to prepare and taste like chewy, chocolate goodness in just one bite. You will quickly be taking the second and third bite, too! Even if you don't like coconut these will change your mind. They have everyone's favorite graham cracker crumb crust and are totally delectable. Feel free to throw in your favorite ingredients and put your own signature on these great bars. They travel well, too!
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| Magic Cookie Bars |
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Lover's adore these Peanut Butter Chocolate Bites. Much better than those in the orange wrappers, though those definitely work in a pinch. These are no bake and they have been tested by our family for over 23 years. But who's counting? Just stuff the face, man!
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| Peanut Butter Chocolate Bites |
Have you ever had Mocha Macadamia Chocolate Bark? Shame, shame, if you haven't. This also probably means you aren't one of my neighbors which is to bad. Really. You don't know what you are missing! This is decadent stuff. Splurge. Buy those macs-you know you want them. Make this. Quick is the word. BUT-they are even quicker going down!
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| Mocha Macadamia Chocolate Bark |
By now I guess, if this is registering, you might be detecting a chocolate thing. Yes, chocolate reigns in our home. But sometimes you have to get out the sprinkles and decorate. And I don't mean the floor. These shortbread cut outs always work for us and in my opinion are like WAY better than sugar cookie dough. But you won't know 'til you try them, so go ahead...I dare you!
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| Shortbread Cookie Cut Outs |
Everyone needs an icebox cookie, which is why I love these. We discovered these at a bed and breakfast many moons ago and I still keep them in our regular lineup. Well, you know what I mean. These are buttery and have tiny flecks of toffee, plus the extra bite that all icebox cookies have. And of course they still contain a wee bit of chocolate. Totally love these!
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| Gazebo Icebox Cookies |
Well, I guess everyone needs a chocolate chip cookie. If you don't I'm sorry, but I just don't know you! I have tried many and I know I will try many more, but when it comes to a chewy chocolate chip cookie I love Alton Brown's. OMG! This man will never let me down. Well, at least he hasn't yet. No one ever refuses these cookies. Really.
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| Alton's Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies |
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| Spritz Cookies |
Last, but certainly not least...I have to give you this. A Chocolate Krantz Cake or Babka. Yes, it is more like a bread and one I could totally collapse in. It is over the top delicious and I am not taking that word lightly. Yes, this takes some time to make. Yes, it looks difficult, but it really isn't. All I'm saying is... if you happen to be snowed in-well this will take your mind off of it. Some things you just have to do and I promise you that this recipe will do just that. I've tried quite a few and this is the one that reigns supreme!
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| Chocolate Babka or Krantz Cake |
So, I guess these will keep you busy. I'm assuming you aren't busy enough! This way though, I have many of the family jewels all in one spot. (If you aren't considering my tummy!)
Have a great weekend! Soon I'll be posting a few quick appetziers and two people can win a $25 Whole Foods gift card. So get ready. And in the meantime, please tell me what is your favorite sweet?
P.S. It feels weird not writing a recipe!
December Treats:
Gingerbread Waffles
German Apple Pancake
Belgian Liege Waffles
Cranberry Chipotle Wonton Cups
Mushroom Lover's Pastry
Onion Dip
3 Ingredient Artichoke Dip
Smoked Trout Pate
Savory Sweet Potato Latkes
Not My Mama's Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken, Artichoke, Mushroom Casserole
Porcini Mushroom Lasagna
My Mother's Brisket
Boneless Rib Roast and Baked Rice
Hot Brown Sandwich
Sweet and Hot Green Onion Mustard
Frozen Cranberry Salad
Fresh Cranberry and Apple Salad
Shortbread Nut Bars
Spritz Cookies
Fool's Toffee
World Peace Cookies
Chocolate Icebox Toffee Cookies
Shortbread Cookie Cut Outs
Double Chocolate Mocha Macadamia Bark
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites
Marshmallows
Chocolate Krantz Cake or Babka
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
So many great sweets, looks delicious! Definitely pinning!
Purabi Naha | Cosmopolitan Currymania says
What a gorgeous spread! OH MY! I am already hungry...I think, I will eat up all these goodies! 🙂
sprinklesandsauce says
That list of sweets is amazing! i could not decide which i'd like most since i loved them all equally!
Nazneen Hamilton says
I can see why these are favourites! Wish I lived closer to you 😉 My kids love those magic bars, they are really good, I like the look of that toffee!
Happy holidays dear Abbe! Let's meet up in 2014 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
I wish you lived closer to! But we will set a date and do it!
Winnie says
Such a fantastic round up!!
I can't even begin to choose what to make first, and I just looooooooooooove cookies!! I always need to have some cookies at home
Thank you!!
Guru Uru says
I am jealous, if these sweets were falling from the sky, I would be super happy 😀
Happy Holidays!
CCU
Laura Dembowski says
Love all your ideas, especially because so many of them are quick and easy!
Barb | Creative Culinary says
Could you have a plate of all of these treats ready in, oh...say 15 minutes? I'm coming over! I've not made many cookies this holiday season and now I'm craving each and every one of these!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Oh Abbe, I could eat every one of these (twice) and I've just had breakfast. I can't decide and I need to bake something today just to keep sane. 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Biz says
I think my blood sugar spiked just reading this post! 😀 Toffee is hands down my favorite - I'll have to give your "fools" version a try!
Irina @ wandercrush says
Ooooh that babka looks incredible. And beautiful to boot. I should not have read this post past midnight!
fromthebartolinikitchens.com says
This is some round-up you put together for us, Abbe. So many goodies to try and each sounding better than the previous. How ever do you choose which ones to make each year?
Hapy Holidays to you and yours!
Liz Berg says
What a wonderful round up of cookies! They all look amazing...and I've just decided it's been way too long since I've made magic cookie bars. I must remedy that 🙂
yummychunklet says
All these cookies look tasty!
Anna and Liz Recipes says
Wow I love all these wonderful treats for the whole family! My favorite is definitely the fools toffee! Have a wonderful Holiday!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Love that stuff. But watch out. It is so addicting. I put a tray in the fridge and before I know it the thieves have stolen it!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
These are all great treats!!!! They make me wish to be near enough of me to be reached. Merry Christmas!!!!
Abbe Odenwalder says
You, too Denise and thanks!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
So many gorgeous recipes Abbe, so little time. I have Babka on my list to make soon, and those peanut butter chocolate bites have me drooling, no joke! All of your treats are wonderful. Happy holidays to you and your family! I look forward to another year of your wonderful posts, creative writing and drool worthy photos!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Oh Tricia. That is a great choice. And I know your pics will be like way better than mine. It is actually very pretty! Make those peanut butter ones now! They take like 15 minutes! And thanks for the kind words. I appreciate them! A LOT!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
Whoa, you know how to do the holidays well! 🙂 We're doing our baking extravaganza with the fam this weekend -- I might have to add a couple of these to our list!
Abbe Odenwalder says
I'm not sure how well our family would do in the kitchen together. You must have a great family! Have fun and thanks for stopping by!
Daniela Grimburg says
OMG, Abbe one more tempting than the other one!
And all my diet purposes....gone with the wind 🙂
But honestly, after trying these sweet treats I won't regret anything-promise.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Oh Daniela-you are too kind! But don't go off your diet on account of me!
kumars kitchen says
wow....we are drooling...sweet treats and such adorable spritz cookies and barks and taffies...looks like we will go nuts if we don't make all of these by the weekend....so festive and beautiful,thanks 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
Well, don't go nuts! But choose a few-all are pretty simple except for the babka. Enjoy!
Angie Schneider says
I had too much sweets last days...but it's Christmas, sweets are a must! I love those macadamia chocolate barks a lot!
Abbe Odenwalder says
The bark is great, but I'm with you. After I make so many, I barely taste them. Well, nibble them.
Yi @ Yi Reservation says
I am a bit overwhelmed right now and I have a hard time picking which ones to read first because they all look delicious! This is such a great collection of holiday sweets! Thanks for putting it together!
Abbe Odenwalder says
This way I know where to find them all at one time, Yi! Thanks for commenting!
NancyC says
All of these cookies look so yummy! Wish I had more time to bake!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Baking is therapy for me, Nancy!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
This is a great collection of holiday treats! I'm just getting into full-on cookie baking mode. The ice box cookies look really good.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Amy! They are really, really good!
Kitchen Riffs says
Great collection of sweet goodness! Really nice roundup of cookies. Mrs K R hasn't baked chocolate chip cookies yet this season, and has been making noises about that. One of my fave's! But until she gets around to it, I have one of each of these. OK, two. 😉 Fun stuff - thanks.
Abbe Odenwalder says
I think sometimes people get into all these fancy cookies at Christmas. I'm happy with chocolate chip! thanks John. Maybe one day our paths will cross and I can give you a few tastes and you can give me a lot of gulps!
Sharon D says
By golly.. where do you live again, Abbe? I think I'm moving next door..lol ^.^
Abbe Odenwalder says
Oh sharon-I wish I could have you here!
vanillasugarblog says
I might have to print out those icebox cookies.
I haven't made any sugar cut out cookies yet.
Unreal!
Abbe Odenwalder says
I think you will like those icebox cookies, Dawn. And coming from you, the Queen of VanillaSugar, I say humbly-thank you!