BH&G Christmas Cookies

Every Christmas, our addictive collection of holiday cookie recipes blends old-time favorites with updated sweets. Our latest flavor combinations, decorating techniques, and cookie motifs entice you to fill your cookie tray. Using easy-to-follow baking and decorating instructions, it's a snap to make impressive cookies and bars for the annual cookie exchange, a holiday bake sale, food gifts, or family celebrations!

Masthead

Storage Info • Below is general storage information for most cookies and bars. If storing for long periods or freezing, avoid overfilling or decorating cookies until you’re ready to serve. When refrigeration is required for certain bars or cookies, specific storage information is given in individual recipes.

Cookie Basics • BECOME A BETTER BAKER—AND DECORATOR—WITH OUR HELPFUL HINTS AND FOOLPROOF RECIPES.

Home for the Holidays • THE SNOW HAS FALLEN. ALL THE TRIMMINGS HAVE BEEN HUNG. IT’S FINALLY BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS! BAKE AND DECORATE COOKIE HOUSE FACADES TO USE AS HOLIDAY DECOR OR TO GIVE AS GIFTS. THEY MAKE AN IMPRESSIVE CENTERPIECE—AND A CONVERSATION PIECE—WHEN CIRCLED AROUND A TIER OF CAKE STANDS. SEE DIRECTIONS, PAGE 11.

Sprinkled • TASSIES, BARS, CUTOUTS, AND MORE. START WITH ONE BASIC DOUGH TO MAKE FIVE UNIQUE TREATS, EACH DRESSED UP WITH COLORFUL SPRINKLES. GET THE KIDS IN ON THE DECORATING ACTION FOR SOME AFTERNOON FUN.

Retro Revamps • CLASSIC COOKIES—THINK SNICKERDOODLES, SUGAR COOKIES, CHOCOLATE CRINKLES, SHORTBREAD, AND MORE—ARE FAVORITES FOR A REASON. THESE FLAVORS HAVE NEVER GONE OUT OF STYLE. BUT WITH A FEW SIMPLE TWEAKS, WE’VE UPDATED EACH TO CREATE SOMETHING FAMILIAR YET NEWLY EXCITING.

Hanukkah Tradition

Cracker Bark Candy • NEED A LAST-MINUTE TREAT? TRY OUR BEST-LOVED CHRISTMAS CARAMEL CRACKER CANDY, PLUS FIVE FLAVOR RIFFS TO MAXIMIZE THE EXPERIENCE. GOOD LUCK EATING JUST ONE PIECE.

Craving Donuts • IF YOU CAN’T DECIDE BETWEEN COOKIES OR DONUTS, MAKE BOTH WITH THIS DELECTABLE MASH-UP OF THE TWO. SPREAD OUR RICH BUTTER COOKIE CUTOUTS RECIPE (PAGE 6) WITH ICING, THEN ADD ALL THE TOPPINGS YOU LIKE TO CUSTOMIZE.

In Praise of Pistachios • PISTACHIOS ARE CRACKING OUT OF THEIR SHELLS BY BRINGING VIBRANT COLOR AND RICH, EARTHY TASTE TO A WHOLE NEW LINEUP OF HOLIDAY GOODIES. WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW TO MIX THEM IN, SPRINKLE THEM ON, OR ROLL THEM UP AS A FESTIVE FILLING.

Fanciful Twists • THE TWIST ON THESE SLICE-AND-BAKE COOKIES IS A DECORATING TECHNIQUE THAT’S ALL IN THE DOUGH. OUR SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS STEP-BY-STEP FOR PERFECT RESULTS. COLORFUL SUGARS ARE THE FINISHING TOUCH FOR FESTIVE SPARKLE.

Kwanzaa Tradition • RECIPE AND WRITING BY RICHE HOLMES GRANT AND PADUA PLAYER

Splatter Paint Cookie Art • READY FOR SOME DECORATING FUN? LOAD A PAINTBRUSH WITH LUSTER DUST PAINT AND FLICK THE BRISTLES TO TURN ICED CUTOUTS INTO EDIBLE PIECES OF ART. FOLLOW OUR TECHNIQUE, PAGE 50.

Salty + Sweet No-Bakes • WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PAIR POTATO CHIPS WITH CHOCOLATE? OR PRETZELS WITH CANDY BARS? THE ANSWER LIES ON THE TIP OF YOUR TONGUE, WHERE TASTE BUDS ARE TRIGGERED WHEN SALTY AND SWEET COME TOGETHER. EVEN BETTER? THESE FIVE SNACKABLE GOODIES ARE SUPER SIMPLE NO-BAKES!

Spritz Glitz • SPRITZ ALREADY HAVE THEIR CUTE SHAPES GOING FOR THEM, SO NOW IT’S TIME TO GLAM THEM UP. TINT THE DOUGH, DIP INTO ICING, ADD SPRINKLES OR LUSTER DUST. ALL SUPER EASY!

Sweet as Honey • WITH ITS PLEASANT AROMA AND NATURAL SWEETNESS, HONEY IS HEAVENLY IN COOKIES. IT BRINGS OUT THE AROMA AND TASTE OF WARM SPICES, CITRUS, AND NUTS. SO BUZZ ON INTO THE KITCHEN AND USE THIS LIQUID GOLD TO MAKE A BEE-UTIFUL IMPRESSION ON YOUR HOLIDAY COOKIE TRAY.

A World of Cookies • THIS DELECTABLE ADVENTURE AROUND THE GLOBE MAKES SWEET STOPS IN SIX COUNTRIES. WITH THESE RECIPES...