Christmas Cookie recap

Like most women during Christmastime, Mom and I went on a Christmas cookie making spree. Three days were filled with Christmas music, aprons, flour, and delicious cookie creations. We usually make one or two family favorites and test out one or two new recipes. Here are the cookies from this year for your drooling pleasure:

Figure 1. The cookie plate. On Christmas morning, we make a big plate of cookies and set it on the counter for all to consume. Obviously, since cookie calories don't count on Christmas day, this means I ate a solid 10 cookies and had to refill this plate several times.

Figure 2. Butter pecan turtle cookies, AKA turtles. I made these last year for the Cookie Swap so you can find the recipe here.

Figure 3. Turtles after cutting. These are my brother's favorite cookie - a homemade crust, pecans, caramel, and melted chocolate chips. Mmmmm...

Figure 4. Salted nut bars. These were Mom's 'new cookie' pick for the year and they are delicious. Is it wrong that I mentally think of them as a protein source because of the nuts and consider them okay to eat in the afternoon? Just like a granola bar, right? Riiiight?

Figure 5. Salted dark chocolate truffle cookies. These were my 'new cookie' pick for the year and I couldn't have picked anything better. These little wonders are a cross between a cookie and a decadent truffle and I.can't.get.enough.

Figure 6. Almond crescent cookies, a Christmas family cookie tradition. One of my favorites.

Figure 7. Ginger cakes in preparation (family recipe).

Figure 8. Ginger cakes after icing. These cakey treats make your entire kitchen smell like Christmas and remind my Mom of her Mom and remind me of my Mom. Nothing can beat a cookie that holds so many memories...