Counting Christmas Cookies

When there are freshly baked cookies (or even 3-day-old ones) on the counter all of my self-control goes out the window. I try, though, to only eat one in each passing. But I pass by them about 34 times a day, so . . . ya. I like cookies a lot. "Cookie" was actually my first word as a child.

Here's a round-up of some of our favorite cookies to make during the holidays. . .

(Gluten-free ones below! I didn't forget about you :))

Gingersnaps (or chewies, depending on how long you bake them -- I like them chewy) are one of my most favorite cookies.

TIP: If you bake them for an extra few minutes until they're really crunchy, you can crush them up and use them in a cheesecake crust in place of graham crackers.

I love White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies. They're soft and chewy and cranberries always remind me of holiday goodies.







My mom used to make Snowflake Cookies for us when I was a kid. I like to make them now because they remind me of her. And of snow -- after growing up with bone-chilling winters and 7' snow drifts I forget what snow is now that I live in California.




If you're still in the mood for pumpkin, try some Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. They're super soft with fluffy cream cheese centers.







Eggnog Snickerdoodles are also a newcomer to my collection. I made these for the first time last year and fell in love.







Look familiar? I love Pepperidge Farm Milan cookies and was delighted when these Milan Cookies were the Daring Baker challenge for July! (A little baking group I belong to.) They're actually pretty easy. I'd even make the filling and eat it right out of the bowl.



I found the recipe for Chocolate Mint Marvels in an airline magazine, of all places. The only thing I could find to write it down on was the barf bag from the plane. (It didn't occur to me until later that I could have taken the magazine with me.)

Anyhow, they're a delicious chocolate cookie topped with a melty Andes mint.


These next three cookies happen to be gluten-free, but you probably wouldn't even notice because they're so good. :)

I discovered these orange-laced Ambrosia Macaroons last Christmas and I'll never look at macaroons the same way again.







My husband and I went on a gluten-free kick this past spring and in order to curb my cookie craving, I searched for a good Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and found these. The texture is almost spot on.





This one is also a newcomer to my file and my blog -- Almond Joy Cookies. These amazing little morsels are flour-free, egg-free, and butter-free. (Not fat-free mind you.)






Happy December!