Cookies, cookies cookies. There is a voice in my head at this time of year it says “You must make cookies. You must make cookies.”
Then there is the other voice, “What if you don’t make cookies?”
The first voice always wins. Traditions die hard.
Every year I make two batches of cookies: Chris Gorgone’s Chocolate Chews and Cinnamon Nut Diamonds.
I have been making them for several years. You know, tradition and all.
They are both delicious and somewhat labor intensive and the ingredients are not cheap.
This year I decided it was time for something new. I started looking for different cookies on the web and yikes, there sure are a lot of cookie recipes out there. I think I looked at a couple hundred different cookies.
Back in the day it used to be sugar cookies cut out like a tree with green frosting and sprinkles, or good ole gingerbread men. Well, not anymore. The Christmas cookie has taken on a life of its own. Sort of like the ugly Christmas sweater trend, out of control. I couldn’t list all the cookie recipes I saw. But I am going to name a few, to give you a sense of what I was up against; there were Eggnog Snickerdoodles, Italian Rainbow Cookies, Gingerbread Oreo Cookie Balls, Merry Meringues, Red Velvet Cream Thumbprint Cookies — and on and on and on. Cookie madness.
I finally decided on something old and something new: an oatmeal lace cookie, a cookie my mother used to make many years ago, and a chocolate and cherry cookie. Not so crazy. If they turn out well they may be a new tradition for me.
But one thing I have learned over the years, cookies, like traditions, will change and evolve as time goes on, just as life does.
May your old and new traditions bring you joy.
Happy Holidays to all.
— LUCY
I’ve been eating the same holiday cookies for years.
You may have not heard of them. They are called:
“All The Italian Ones My Sister In Philly Makes That Are Just Like The Ones My Mom Used to Make.”
You think I go to Philly just for the people?
Hey, I know a good thing when I eat it.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
— LOU