Moms Share Favorite Holiday Cookie Recipes

With only a few days left until Christmas Eve, we are in full holiday baking mode here at MSL! We have our traditional treats we always make this time of year, but thought it would be fun to try some new recipes, so we asked a few moms we know are gurus in the kitchen to share their top holiday cookie recipe.

From Suzanne Bissett Vanderhoff
Host of Channel 3’s Your Life Arizona, Suzanne rubs shoulders with the most talented chefs in Arizona on her show. This is a dream for Suzanne, since in her downtime she can often be found in the kitchen, as she loves to cook and bake with her girls. Here’s one of their go-to holiday treats, a recipe from Chef Maggie Norris with Whisked Away Cooking School, adapted from renowned pastry chef Nick Malgieri.

Peppermint Brownies

16 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into 1⁄4″ pieces
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1⁄2 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup flour
¾ cup crushed candy canes

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9″ x 13″ baking pan with butter and line with parchment paper, grease paper. Set pan aside.

Pour enough water into a 4-quart saucepan so that it reaches a depth of 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Combine butter and chocolate in a medium bowl, set bowl over saucepan. Cook, stirring, until melted and smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, set aside.

Whisk together eggs in a large bowl. Add sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and salt — whisk to combine. Stir in chocolate mixture, then fold in flour.

Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle crushed candy canes evenly over the top of the batter.  Bake until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 30–35 minutes. Let cool on a rack. Cut and serve. Makes approximately 2 dozen.

 

From Amanda Walker
Owner of Grace Mabel, the all-natural, bath products line for kids, Amanda whips up these delectable nuggets every Christmas. Shared by her mom-in-law, what started as her husband’s favorite cookie as a kid is now at the top of her family’s list!

Cherry Date Skillet Cookies

1 c. butter
1 egg
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla
3 c. Rice Krispies
½ c. chopped cherries
8 oz. package chopped dates
1 c. coconut
2 ½ c. coconut

In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat (4-5 minutes).

Stir in sugar and dates. Remove from heat, add egg and return to heat.

Continue cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils all over the top (4-6 minutes). Boil for 1 minute stirring constantly, then remove from heat.

Add remaining ingredients, except 2 ½ cups coconut. Stir until all ingredients are moistened (1-2 minutes).

Let stand 10 minutes. Shape into balls and roll in 2 ½ cups coconut. Makes approximately 6 dozen.

Amanda and her adorable daughter Grace.

 

From Deirdre Hahn
Our own MSL contributor and domestic diva in the kitchen, Deirdre shares her family’s top choice for “Holiday Cookie of the Year.”  Of course, we love all things pumpkin, so can’t wait to try them out! Next on our baking list.

Vegan Oatmeal Pumpkin Spice Cookies

2 c. flour
1 1/3 c. rolled oats (not instant)
1 tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. salt
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 1/3 c. sugar
2/3 c. canola oil
2 Tbsp. molasses
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. pumpkin (canned)
1-2 Tbsp. water (if needed)

Set oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, pulse flour, oats, baking soda, salt and spice. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, molasses and pumpkin. Fold dry oat/flour mixture into wet ingredients. Add water if too stiff. Batter will be somewhat thick.

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using an ice cream scooper or your hands, form balls and gently flatten top of dough balls on cookie sheet.

Bake 15-18 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cookies will have an almost cake-like texture. Optional: Drizzle simple vanilla glaze to the top of the cookies.

 

Thank you for sharing, ladies!! Now, it’s back to baking… Let us know if you try any of these yummy treats AND please share if you have your own favorite Christmas cookie recipe!! We’d love to hear from you.

Bon appétit and Merry Christmas!!

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