If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

what kinds of cookies do you make for the baskets? Just wanted to get some ideas b/c I plan on doing this for Christmas.

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

you can do different sugar cookie cutouts with different color sprinkles or icing, fruit filled cookies, or pretty much anything... the ones above are just colorful ideas.

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

My mom and I have done this since I was a kid. We usually try a new cookie every year but our usuals are....

-red and green sugar cookies (made with the cookie press)
-butter cookies (made with the cookie press and decorated)
-thumbprints
-pecan tassies
-snowballs
-meringues with chocolate chips
-chocolate covered oreos
-chocolate covered pretzels

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

chocolate chip cookies
frosted sugar cookies
some kind of truffle
peanut butter kiss cookies
pecan pie bars

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/cat0001.html


My best friend sent me this website last year. It has every cookie recipe you could ever imagine! I made the Chocolate Christmas Trees and they are delicious!

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

I usually do small tins of cookies for aunts/uncles and co-workers...

*Cut out Sugar cookies
*Cookie Press Butter Cookies (DH's family recipe)
*"Ice Box Cookies" (a brown sugar cookie with walnuts....my Mom's family recipe)
*Chocolate Chip Cookies
*"Pride of Iowa" cookies (awesome oatmeal cookies)
*Almond cookies
*Peanut Butter cut out cookies
*Nut Cups (sometimes called Pecan Tassies)

Usually mix it up with one new cookie, last year DH and I made chocolate covered pretzels and white chocolate covered pretzels (which were delish!)

Also I usually throw in some hershey kisses and hershey minis

Message edited 10/31/2008 10:06:08 AM.

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

Decorated Sugar cut out cookies
Choc chip cookies
Peanut Butter Kiss cookies
Jelly cookies
Mocha Crinkles
Coconut squares
Ricotta cookies
Butter cookies (with cookie gun)

I also make chocolates / lollipops and throw some of them in there!

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

definitely the hershey kisses peanut butter ones!

regular chocolate chip

chocolate chip with mac. nuts

i like to make chocolate covered strawberries - with all different toppings (white chocolate, dark, milk -- and either put almond flakes on them after or coconut flakes, drizzle caramel on them after dipping, etc.) They come out so pretty!

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

*butter cookies (with a cookie press so all different shapes)
*Rainbow cookies
*Peanut Butter Kisses Cookies
*This hungarian jelly filled cream cheese based cookie (I cannot remember the name)
*Chocolate Mint Candy cane cookies

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

pignoli cookies...my favorite
magic bars

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

I try to vary from year to year. But I usually make 10 or 12 different kinds per year so there is some variety.

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

I usually make a few tins up for my DH's bosses at work...

chocolate chip cookies
lemon raspberry thumprints
oatmeal raisin
snowballs
peanut butter cookies

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

I have some great recipes for:

- Raspberry Almond Bars
- Toffee Bars
- Lemon Coconut Bars
- Homemade Marshmallows (topped with coconut)

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

peanut butter cookies
oatmeal raisin cookies
soft batch choco chip cookies
turtles
choco dipped pretzels
peanut butter cups
mexican wedding cookies (each nationality calls them something different, almond crescent shaped cookies)

Depends on my mood that year

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

Posted by MrsMessina

Posted by Kathy116

I have some great recipes for:

- Raspberry Almond Bars
- Toffee Bars
- Lemon Coconut Bars
- Homemade Marshmallows (topped with coconut)

OOh- care to share??
They ALL sound great!!! Especially the raspberry almond bars and toffee bars.

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

Posted by Kathy116
I'd be happy to share...I'll post them tomorrow or the next.

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

Seems like a lot, and it's a long recipe, but it's easy and worth it!


Raspberry Bars:


Grease a 13 x 9 baking pan

Sift together into a large bowl:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Sprinkle over the top, 12 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter ; cut into small pieces (I've used salted when I'm out of unsalted, and it's fine


Using a pastry blender (stand mixer with the paddle attachment is what I use), 2 knives, or your fingertips, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.

Stir together:
3 Tablespoons Milk
1 teaspoon almond extract


Sprinkle the mild mixture over the flour mixture. Lightly stir to blend. Knead until the milk is distributed and the particles began to hold together. If necessary, add a teaspoon or two more milk (I usually add more than that), until the mixture holds together but is not wet.

Firmly press the dough into the pan to form a smooth, even layer. Refrigerate for 15 min.

Preheat the oven to 375.

Bake the chilled dough in the center of the oven until barely firm in the center, 12 to 15 min. Spread evenly over the hot crust:

1 cup seedless raspberry preserves or jam

To prepare the topping, whisk together
1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
2/3 c sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

Sprinkle over the top:
8 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Using a pastry blender, knife, or your fingertips, cut in the butter until mixture is well blended.

Using a fork, stir into the flour mixture 1 at a time:

3/4 cup sliced blanched or unblanched almonds
1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats

Beat together lightly and stir into the flour mixture until the topping is moistened and forms small clumps:

1 large egg
2 Tablespoons milk

(If necessary, add a teaspoon or more milk, until mixture is just moist enough to clump).
Sprinkle topping over the raspberry preserves, breaking up any large clumps with a fork or your fingertips.

Bake in the upper hird of the over until topping is nicely browned and the raspberry mixture is bubbly, 25 to 30 min. Remove the pan and cool completely. Cut into bars.

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

Long recipe, but it's easy and sooooooooooo good!
It's from the Joy of Cooking cookbook.

Chocolate-Glazed Toffee Bars

Grease 8 x 8 inch baking pan.

Whisk together:

2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 Tablespoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
Sprinkle over the top:
4 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter

Using a pastry blender, 2 knifes, or fingers, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Sprinkle over the top and stir in the blend;

2 teaspoons milk.

Knead until the milk is distributed and the particles begin to hold together. If necessary, add more milk but not wet.
Refrigerate for 15 min.
Preheat oven to 350.

Bake the chilled dough for 10 min; set aside to cool slightly. Toast stirring occassionaly in a pan, until very lightly browned, 5 to 8 min:
1 1/2 cups chopped peans

Set aside to cool. Combine in a medium heavy saucepan and stirring frequently, bring to a boil over medium heat:
5 Tablespoons unsalted butter cut into pieces
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 Tablespoons clover or other mild honey
1 Tablespoon milk
1/8 teaspoon salt

Boil the mixture, uncovered for 3 minutes; remove from the heat. Stir in the toasted pecans along with
1 teaspoon vanilla

Spread the mixture evenly over the baked layer. Bake until the crumb mixture is bubbly, golden brown, and just slightly darker at the edges, 17 to 20 min. Remove the pan to a rack to cool slightly. Sprinkle over the top:

1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Let stand for several min. until the chocolate chips partially melt, then smooth across the surface with a table knife to partially spread the chocolate.

Sprinkle over the top:
2 Tablespoons finely chopped pecans.

Let the chocolate cool until thickened but still slightly soft, then cut into bars; let cool completely before lifting the bars from the pan. Retrace the cuts to separate if necessary.

Re: If you make cookie gift baskets for the holidays...

The raspberry bars sound delicious -- I am going to have to bookmak this and make them!
Thanks !