So I set out to make 24 different cookies this Christmas. I made 23 which was not the goal but a valiant effort. I did learn a lot from my efforts.

Some of the cookies I made were already family recipes (Lemon Raspberry Sandwich Cookies, Christmas Snickerdoodles, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Oatmeal Shortbread, Orange Cranberry Slice and Bakes). Some were new ideas (Dark Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread). Some new will be made year after year (Oatmeal Molasses cookies) and some will not.

There are cookies that are better 2-3 days after they are baked (Cardamom Pecan Sandies) and others do not keep very well (Carrot Cake Cookies though they are awesome the day they are baked). I also found that I am often my own worst critic in the kitchen. I was so upset the Bacon Bourbon cookies I made had not turned out how I expected but ComputerNerd thought they were good. I found it amazing the varied tastes which lead some people to love the Peppermint Meringues and others not so much (though I loved them so I will make them again).

Finally, I don’t think next year I will take on such a huge task. Maybe 12 cookies for the 12 days of Christmas. I also will never leave butter where a cat can knock it off the counter into the puppy’s waiting jaws when I am not home, but that’s another story that I’m not prepared to undertake tonight. We hope you have enjoyed our holiday cookies as much as we have enjoyed making and eating them. Stay tuned to see what we come up with in the new year!