Cookies of the Day: Pecan Tassies and Gingerbread Cookies

Another two treats from my mother's kitchen, today, we have Pecan Tassies and gingerbread cookies.  

I always look forward to the Pecan Tassies.

These miniature pies are a hallmark of  the Southern United States. A beautifully tender cream-cheese-based crust holds a luscious filling of minced pecan and gooey brown sugar. You can even add chocolate chips! My mother drizzles each bite-sized tart with melted chocolate which adds another layer of scrumptious flavor. For all the joy of a pecan or derby pie in one handy package, a Pecan Tassie is the perfect Christmas cookie.

Next, we have the always-beloved gingerbread cookies.  

For as long as I remember, my mother’s famous gingerbread cookies have graced the Christmas table. Trees, bells, Santas, reindeer, fleurs-de-lys, ornaments, lights and people of assorted sizes, my mother decorates each one by hand.   And, this year, even my dad and I got to help decorate them.  We were each given our own piping bags and allowed to let our imaginations run free.  Each little person has his or her own personality. It’s almost a shame to eat them—almost.

Cookies of the Day: "Aunt Ida" Cookies and Chocolate Icebox Cookies

In our continued account of this year's Christmas cookies, I'm pleased to present "Aunt Ida" Cookies and "Chocolate Icebox Cookies."  I know I've said this of each one, but these are two of my family's favorites.

The Aunt Ida Cookies have a long tradition in our family  My mother has been making these cookies since she was a little girl.  Pillow of cream cheese dough are filled with alternating mixtures of assorted nuts, chocolate, brown sugar, cinnamon, cranberries, raisins and cherries. After baking, they are dusted with cinnamon and confectioner’s sugar.  We've had them for as long as I can remember.

I also have fond memories of Chocolate Icebox Cookies.  In fact, most of my memories are food related.  But, I recall eating these rich chocolate rounds as a child.  I was just as delighted by them then as I am now.  The chocolate dough is formed into a log which his then rolled in chopped walnuts.  After they're baked and cooled, they are topped with a thick later of melted dark chocolate. 

Cookies of the Day: Praline Cookies and French Butter Cookies

This year, I’ve got more cookies than I have days to write about them before Christmas. So, we’re going to double-up on our cookie of the day. 

Let’s start with one of the cookies that I most love—my mother’s praline cookies. I’ve a special fondness for creamy, nutty, sugary, glorious pralines, so, it’s only natural that I’d be drawn to these. These brown-sugar hued, chewy cookies melt in your mouth. They’re topped with magnificent homemade pralines, creating a wonderful combination of textures and a richness of flavor which reminds a person that eating is just the bee’s knees.

Next, we have my mother’s famous French Butter Cookies. Short, rich and delicious, these cookies should always be made with the best quality, creamiest butter that you can find. The dough for these cookies is made in a log. You can make this dough in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. The dough log is rolled in turbinado sugar and colored sugar to add a jewel-like sparkle to each cookie which is sliced from the log. Each round is pierced with a wooden skewer to create the four-holed “button” look which makes these so special.

Cookie of the Day: The Butterscotch Cookies

In past years, I’ve mentioned the “friendly” rivalry in my family regarding these cookies. They are, without a doubt, one of the top contenders for the title of Favorite Christmas Cookie. We will squabble about who gets to eat the last of these gorgeous, cakey, butterscotch cookies. This year, I’m happy to report, I got to eat the FIRST one! Ha! 

So, what could cause our usually mellow little group to launch a war? Only the tenderest, most beautiful of cookies, flecked with nuts and topped with the creamiest, most delicate of butterscotch frostings—adorned with colored sugar. They are truly exceptional. You know I’m ready for this year’s battle. I’ve got all sorts of tricks up the sleeves of my many cardigans. 

And, thusly, I offer a warning to my mother and father:

It’s on! They’re mine.  

Cookie of the Day: Pfefferneuse

Pfefferneuse

Each year, my mother always makes a deliciously interesting assortment of Christmas cookies which range from American treats to beloved family recipes to traditions from around the world. Among this collection of favorites are pfefferneuse. The name of these traditional Dutch cookies translates to “Pepper Nuts” and refers to the spiciness of the biscuits. Traditionally, pfefferneusen contain ground nuts and black pepper, along with cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. They’re dusted with a snowy coating of confectioners’ sugar. 

Usually, these tender, flavorful cookies are handed out during “Sinterklaas,” on December 5-6, a feast during which children receive gifts from St. Nicholas. These cookies are also made in Germany during the Christmas season. 

I really like everything about them, from the texture and bite to the spicy taste. If you’d like to incorporate this Dutch (and German and Austrian) tradition into your holiday fare, there are many different recipes online which show how different regions and countries make this delicious treat.

Cookie of the Day: Impressive Ischl Tarts

Ischl Tarts originated in Germany and part of Austria, several centuries ago, and were often baked during Christmastime. They’ve also been a part of my family’s Christmas tradition for, I can attest, at least the last 39 years.

A rather labor intensive recipe, these cookies begin with a dough of cream cheese and ground almonds which is rolled flat and cut into a rosette shape, half of which are cut with a central hole. These form the tops of the cookies. After baking into perfection, the bottom layers are spread with a layer of raspberry jam, and the tops are dusted with confectioner’s sugar. Assembled, they look like rubies nestled in a flower of snow. 

I always look forward to the annual Ischl Tarts and find them to be one of the most attractive cookies in Cookieland.

Treat of the Week: Simmering Soup and Sweet Scottish Shortbread

Today begins the annual look at the marvelous cookies my mother makes each Christmas. Having tasted this year’s batch, I can tell you that they’re each a masterpiece. After today, you’ll see a daily “Cookie of the Day” post which will take you on a delicious journey to the holiday.

To visit my mother’s and father’s house this weekend, you’d never have guessed that my mother has been up until midnight every day last week, baking and decorating gorgeous cookies. The house was filled with the enticing aroma of barley soup and we were each treated to a big bowl along with a helping of cool, beautiful salad filled with all manner of delicious things. 

But, after dinner, we saw just how much my mother’s been doing. Dozens of homemade cookies and candy appeared, as if by magic. The amount of work is astounding, and my mother does this every year, much to the appreciation of my father, Bertie and me.

Since we’re going to do a cookie a day, let’s start with the annual shortbread terriers. These delicious Westies and Scotties are one of my favorite parts of every Christmas. Since shortbread is a Scottish creation, it’s only fitting, of course, that these cookies should take the form of Scotland’s most famous dog breeds. Plus, of course, there’s that Bertie connection. 

The Scotties are the finest chocolate shortbread, adorned with white chocolate accents and colorful nonpareils. And, the Westies, as is fitting are buttery shortbread with dark chocolate bows and eyes.

These are dogs that I’m happy to bite. 

Come back tomorrow for another cookie!

Treats of the Day: Assorted Candies

Cookies aren’t the only things to come out of my mother’s magical kitchen at Christmas.  Cakes, breads, puddings and a wide variety of savory dishes are beautifully produced.  And, so is candy.  This assortment of candies is always a welcome treat.  Splendidly molded chocolates sprinkled on the reverse with nonpareils shimmer in the light.  Some have been filled with nuts and dried fruit.  Cool, crunchy peppermint bark of white and dark chocolate layers is always a favorite.  And, of course, there’s always the luscious, creamy pralines—both traditional and chocolate.  This is the time of year when we should celebrate, and, in doing so, let the calorie counting rest for a few days. 

Cookie of the Day: Pecan Tassies

These miniature pies are a holiday favorite, especially in the Southern United States.  A beautifully tender cream-cheese-based crust holds a luscious filling of minced pecan and gooey brown sugar.  You can even add chocolate chips!  My mother drizzles each bite-size tart with melted chocolate which adds another layer of scrumptious flavor.  For all the joy of a pecan or derby pie in one handy package, a Pecan Tassie is the perfect Christmas cookie.

Cookie of the Day: Ischl Tarts

For as long as I can remember, each Christmas, my mother has made Ischl Tarts. Ischl Tarts originated in Germany and part of Austria, centuries ago, and were often baked during Christmastime.


These delicate cookies are labor-instensive, but well worth the trouble of assembly. It’s easy for me to say that since I’m not the one who makes them, but, rather the one who eats them. The cookies begin with a dough of cream cheese and ground almonds. The dough is then rolled out and cut into a rosette shape, half of which are cut with a central hole. These form the tops of the cookies. Once baked, the bottom layers are spread with a layer of raspberry jam, and the tops are dusted with confectioner’s sugar.

Once assembled, these gorgeous cookies are not only delicious, but beautiful. The contrast of the snowy white confectioner’s sugar and the bright red jam immediately put one in mind of Christmas.

Cookie of the Day: Praline Cookies

Ah, pralines.  Creamy, sugary, nutty, wonderful pecan pralines—the true gold of the Southern United States.  Pralines are glorious.  But, they’re never more splendid than when they sit atop magnificent cookies.  My mother has been making these delectable cookies for a few years now, and I love them.  The cookies themselves are slightly chewy, but with a melt-in-your-mouth quality that is heavenly.  Then, add a rich, majestic praline to the top and you’ve got an idea of what true rapture is like.  What better way is there to celebrate the Christmas season than with a cookie that reminds you of all of the beauty that we can find each day. 

Cookie of the Day: “Aunt Ida” Cookies

These delicious pillows are made from a recipe which my mother adapted from one used since she was a little girl.  The cream cheese based dough is tender and smooth.  The rolled-out dough is layered with filling and then folded over and baked.  Some of them are stuffed with dried cherries, chocolate chips, nuts and cinnamon.  Others feature raisins along with the nuts, cinnamon and chocolate chips.  Dusted with cinnamon and confectioner’s sugar, they are a delightful combination of the creamy dough, the smoothness of chocolate, the chewiness of the fruit, the bite of the cinnamon and the crunchiness of the nuts.  Appealing in every way, these cookies are an excellent addition to any dessert table.    

Cookie of the Day: Beautiful Butterscotch

Wars have been fought over religion, freedom and ownership.  But, each year, a little battle is waged to see who gets to eat the last of these gorgeous cookies.  Cakey butterscotch cookies, flecked with nuts are topped with the creamiest, most delicate of butterscotch frostings—adorned with colored sugar.  To say that these cookies “melt in your mouth” is not giving them enough credit.  They’re splendid, utterly splendid.  This is what angels must taste like (if one were to chew on an angel—don’t think too much about it).  I look forward to these cookies every year, and while I’m a quiet, passive man, I’ll fight anyone who tries to take one from me. 

Cookie of the Day: Luscious Lemon Squares

The combination of sweetness, tart lemon and delicate crust make these Lemon Squares a burst of summer flavor in the winter. Always a family favorite, we request these delectable cookies from my mother each year.


Her homemade crust becomes all the more tender beneath a custard-like topping of lemon and sugar. Baked to perfection and dusted with confectioner’s sugar, these cookies have a light, delightful flavor which warm the spirit even on the coldest of days.

Cookie of the Day: French Butter Cookies

These delicate, tender, short cookies are rich and delicious. The key to baking them successfully is to use the best quality butter you can find. Since the cookies rely on butter for their flavor, employing the creamiest butter will only heighten their beauty.


The dough is made in logs which can be prepared in advance and refrigerated. The logs are rolled in turbinado sugar before slicing. My mother uses both turbinado sugar and large-grained colored sugar to achieve a festive effect for Christmas. Each cookie is sliced from the log and then pierced with a wooden skewer to produce four holes—resulting in the look of a large sparkling button. Imagine a crystal dish piled with these gorgeous cookies. They’re a delightful and elegant way to celebrate any holiday.

Cookie of the Day: Chocolate Icebox Cookies

These beautiful, old-fashioned cookies are a delightful treat.  The dough is rolled into a log which is then rolled in finely chopped walnuts and refrigerated.  The firm, chilled dough is sliced and baked.  The resulting cookie has a rich, mellow chocolate bite which blends deliciously with the creamy flavor of the nuts.  Adorned with luscious dollops of shining, melted dark chocolate, these cookies remind us of the simple elegance of Christmases past. 

Cookie of the Day: A Shortbread Symphony

Shortbread is so named because of its crumbly texture. A baked good which is “short” has a high fat content which caused the texture to be dense and crumbly. Many people associate shortbread with Britain. In fact, these unleavened biscuits originated in Scotland and are a centuries-old Scottish tradition.


And, so, in honor of the Scottish heritage of shortbread, each year, my mother’s shortbread takes the shape of our other favorite Scottish imports—West Highland White Terriers and Scottish Terriers.

Westie Dogs of shortbread sport chocolate bows, noses and eyes which have been sprinkled with colorful nonpareils. The Scottie Dogs are chocolate shortbread with white chocolate detailing. Each is delicious! Each is adorable.

These crumbly canines are perfect with a cup of tea. I also love seeing them all lined up on the counter after my mother decorates them—like a cookie army.

Cookie of the Day: Gorgeous Gingerbread Cookies

I’m pleased to introduce the seasonal segment, “Cookie of the Day” to give all of you a chance to glimpse the delicious treats my mother makes for us at Christmas. When we think of Christmastime, invariably, our thoughts go to cheerful gingerbread cookies. Gingerbread has been associated with Christmas for centuries. As early as the Sixteenth Century, German bakers hung decorated gingerbread figures in their shop windows as decorations.


Each year, my mother spends hours making gingerbread, rolling it, cutting it and decorating each cookie in great detail by hand. These cookies are more than just attractive decorations, however. They’re as delicious as they are beautiful. Shapes from elegant fluer de lis, jolly people and Christmas figures, make any plate of cookies feel like a celebration.