Welcome to the virtual cookie exchange
I don't have an Aunt Ethel. I don't know an Aunt Ethel. But that's the name on the sugar cookie recipe our family digs out every year. It's a hand-written index card that's been copied several times over. It was passed down from my Aunt Patty, who is real, but may also have never known the original author. It doesn't matter. Every December, we joke that Aunt Ethel is a dear member of our family.
So several years ago, when I was invited to my pal Barbie's annual cookie exchange, I brought Aunt Ethel's Sugar Cookies. The rules were simple and straightforward: Bring four dozen festive homemade cookies (nothing store bought!), mingle with friends over wine and nibbles, and before you head home, circle the cookie room and pack up two of each variety. The gatherings were great fun. The bonus was a platter filled with dozens of beautiful homemade cookies. It became tradition.
In the spirit of the holidays, welcome to our virtual cookie exchange. We're sharing a handful of cookie recipes from some our favorite bakers. Whether you're baking for yourself or for your family and friends, enjoy! And we'd love to see photos of the cookies you're baking this year. Share them on Instagram, tag us (we're @splendidtable), and we'll post yours below.
Traditional
- Spritz Cookies, by The American Swedish Institute
- Grandma's All-Occasion Sugar Cookies, by Dorie Greenspan
- Cut Out Cookies, by Christina Tosi
- Almond Horns, by Tina Casacelli
- Meringue Snowballs, by Dorie Greenspan
- Almond Shortbread, by Valerie Gordon
- Springerle (Swabian Anise Cookie), by Luisa Weiss
- Zimtsterne (Cinnamon-Almond Meringue Stars), by Luisa Weiss
- Pecan Sandies for My Mom, by Thomas Keller and Sebastien Rouxel
- Sugar Saucers, by David Muniz and David Lesniak
- Lemon Butter Cookies, by Dorie Greenspan
- Lenox Almond Biscotti, by Dorie Greenspan
Chocolate
- Mexican Hot Chocolate Shortbread, by Cheryl Day and Griffith Day
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, by Shirley O. Corriher
- Chocolate Chip Cookies, by David Leite
- Chocolate Macaroons, by Dorie Greenspan
- World Peace Cookies, by Dorie Greenspan
Adventurous
Spicy Peanut and Toasted Coconut Cookies, by Faith Durand
Rosemary-Parm Cookies, by Dorie Greenspan
Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt Potato Chips, by Kelis Rogers
Coconut-Lime Sables, by Dorie Greenspan
Almond and Orange Florentines, by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi
Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies, by Christina Tosi
Chile-Spiked Mexican Wedding Cakes, by Lynne Rossetto Kasper
Before you go...
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