These are not my cookies.The first Christmas after Mark and I got married, we decided to make cookies. I don’t remember if we mixed up a sugar cookie recipe or if we went store-bought, but I distinctly remember lots of frosting, cookie cutters and sprinkles.
Yes, we definitely had sprinkles.
Actually, now that I think about it, if we took the time to mix up frosting and cut out candy cane and tree-shaped cookies, I’m pretty sure we used an actual recipe for that cookie dough.
And there was A. Lot. of cookie dough. Which made A. Lot. of cookies. I remember starting the process so excited and all newlywed-y, but by the time we got finished, we were so sick of cookies! We had cookies on every surface of that tiny one-room apartment. Lucky for all of our friends – because they all got a plate of those puppies. Or, trees and candy canes, as the case may be.
Since then, I haven’t done much Christmas baking. Sure, I make all sorts of side dishes. And my Brownies From a Box never fail. But cookies? No, not so much.
So when I started reading about the fun cookie [recipe] exchanges going on this week, I was kind of bummed out. And then I was delusional thought I’d just whip something up, so I could join in.
And then I forgot.
But today I saw Jessica’s First Cookie Recipe Exchange at The Mom Creative, and I remembered again. And I decided to stop by the store after work, get some cookie dough and frosting in a can, and write about how you don’t have to be fancy to have Christmas fun in the kitchen.
And then I got to the store.
They were out of the frosting I wanted, and they didn’t have any red and green sprinkles. So I bought almond bark and pretzels instead. And M&Ms.
You never know when you’re going to need M&Ms.
Long story not short but finally to the point? I made almond bark-covered snack mix. Does it have a name? I don’t know. My cousin makes it, and I call it . . . YUM. Here’s a picture:
And here’s the recipe, if you can call it that:
3 cubes of almond bark
Half cup of cheerios
Half cup of little marshmallows
Half cup of broken pretzels
2 packages of M&Ms
I might be wrong on the “half cup” part. Basically, I melted those three cubes and started dropping the other ingredients into the bowl. Possibly at random. And when it looked good? I put it in the fridge.
(You don’t have to put it in the fridge unless you’re in a hurry. To eat the YUM.) Makes 4 servings. Or two really big ones.
So, that’s what I’ve got for you. If you have your own (real) cookie recipe or want to look at a couple or hundred, check out The Mom Creative’s First Cookie Recipe Exchange and Blissfully Domestic’s 12 Days of Christmas Cookies.
This post will also be linked to Mouthwatering Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.
What’s your favorite kind of Christmas cookie? Have you made any yet this year?
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Best Christmas cookie ever is the Andes mint cookie my mom makes. Chocolate cookie with a melted Andes mint on top. YUM!! I'll post the recipe if I think about it (and since I can't remember much of anything right now, that probably won't happen. :) )
I had a total Giving Up on Perfect cookie experience this year. First of all I bought the sugar cookie mix in a bag, which I have never, ever done before. Then I mixed it. Then I realized I had no cookie cutters, they were in Chattanooga. So I just made round ones.
Then I realized I had no icing or decorations of any kind except green sugar. So I melted chocolate chips and spread them on the top and sprinkled with green sugar.
Kind of pathetic, but they still tasted good!
I love the peanut butter kiss cookies, sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, shortbread…really I am not that discerning when it comes to sugary snacks. ;)
Krumkake & Rosettes (which are both Norwegian cookies my Grandma always made for us). I haven't had any of them since Grandma passed away, though the expensive bakery at our grocery store here in MN has them for $1/cookie (of course you cannot buy them as singles). Maybe I'll splurge for the actual Christmas day treat.
Otherwise, I've been eating the Pillsbury ready to bake, reindeer design cookies. Open package, space on cookie sheet, bake 8-10 minutes. Yum. (This is my idea of baking – please, don't laugh)
YUM. And YUM looks easy too…and quite possibly something one could do last minute when forgetting about a Christmas party one must attend to in one hour?
Sound good.
Oooh, that YUM looks, well, really YUMMY! :)
It kinda reminds me of that other holiday mix people call "reindeer chow." In fact, just today I was thinking about looking up how to make that with my kids.
Some of my fav Christmas cookies are of course, sugar, peanut butter with kisses and gingersnaps. I haven't made any yet, but I'm going to a cookie exchange on Monday and I plan to make homemade marshmallows. Yep, you read that right — homemade marshmallows — dipped in chocolate! I'll let you know how it goes. Better yet, I might just post about it. :)
Hugs!
i'm SO hoping to make cookies with samantha this year. we ran out of time last year and didn't make a one. :-( and i even got her her own mini cookie cutter set. and mini cookies are WAY better. because then you don't feel guilty eating two. or three. :-)
and yummy almond bark scrumptiosity! i love that kind of stuff!
i don't know why my comment showed up twice…. i'm deleting one!
My favorite Christmas cookie is the coconut macaroon because it's what my mom always makes. I made them last week and still have some in the kitchen. I'm going to a cookie exchange this week and I'm making another winner: the pecan shortie.
I love you, but I cannot read this post. I know you understand. lol
And while I did NOT look at the ooey gooey icing covered pictures, I am glad I scrolled down far enough to see that you suggested me as reading!!! So honored, Mary! It was worth the dastardly close temptation to take a second (albeit brief) look!!!
Thanks for passing me on, sister!
Well, first…I've have just about given up on Christmas cookies…especially those that are anything similar to the ones pictured at the top of the page…I'm like a crazy freak when it comes to stuff like that…it has to be purrrfecto or else…I feel like a failure…this is why I read your blog…;) to remind me that it's okay I'm not perfect…and never will be…and shouldn't even attempt it. BUT I have the perfectly UNPERFECT cookie exchange solution… (almost as good as your "YUM") I love my boiled cookies….they are "drop" no-cook p-nut butter choclate, oatmeal yumminess…and they look perfectly imperfect on purpose…which makes them perfect…
Oh if ONLY I could make cookies like you pictured. sigh.
But let me tell you, I'll settle for Almond bark snack mix in a heartbeat. GOOD STUFF THERE, sister! My mom calls it White Christmas mix and she makes some just for me cuz I love it…
GOOD STUFF!