At this point, it’s becoming a tradition that for my last article before every break I get a full, overwhelming burst of hunger for some good, home-cooked food. Last November, it was for the savory, rich Thanksgiving domain. Now, it’s time for the sugar blast of the Christmas season to invade my psyche — and yours. Here are the top five Christmas cookies. No, I don’t take constructive criticism.
- Snickerdoodles
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I think sugar cookies should fall under this category too. Come on, you get to decorate them! They’re like little snow-made pastries. Soft and fluffy. Cinnamon always tastes remarkable during the winter anyways. Would you say no to a snickerdoodle? I can’t even imagine. I don’t have that kind of self-control.
- Anisette Biscuits
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Another type of cookie that isn’t explicitly Christmas related, but it’s best made in bulk and eaten on a cold morning. This is like biscotti, except way better, with a super distinctive taste. They’re good toasted, they’re good plain, they’re good hot, they’re good cold. Anisette biscuits are the most adaptable of the cookies.
- Italian Wedding Cookies
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Yes, I am Italian-American. Yes, I am hungry. Yes, it is my job to ice the cookies, and I do sometimes sneak a little swab of sugar icing into my mouth, when my mother isn’t looking. If you haven’t had real Italian wedding cookies, I’m really sorry — contact me. I’m here to help you.
- Soft-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies
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This is an anti-crispy cookie household. When they’re fresh out of the oven and the chips are mushy and the dough just melts in your mouth… Hnnh. I know they’re not traditionally Christmas cookies, but the best chocolate chip cookies come out of the batches made during the holidays. Also, I sneak a couple of chips during the baking process. They hit different.
- Ginger Snaps
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I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a ginger snap outside of the Christmas season. I cannot imagine. They’re sharp and poignant, and they make me feel like the year is 1869 and I’m sitting beside the window of my Victorian house, watching the snow fall and writing my diary by candlelight, a little stack of ginger snaps sitting on a doily plate next to me. Just me?
Happy holidays, and see you in the new year!