It’s Christmas time and that means a lot of things to a lot of people. Time to self reflect, to pray, to worship, to love, to give, to sing, to cook and bake, to be with family, to share, to shop and to party. All these things are valid to certain people and I wouldn’t argue against any particular point. I just love this time of year and I like to do it differently every now and then. Mostly there are always the same little things, a tree, some garlands, a turkey, some presents. But sometimes we do it at our place, or the in-laws. One year we went out for dinner at a super fancy restaurant, all dressed up in our finest and ate someone else’s cooking. This year we’ll sit at home together, just us, our little family. Then maybe we’ll meander to the in-laws for some more wine and stocking unwrapping.
One thing that has always remained the same though, is my love to share my cooking and baking with my family and friends. Every year I spend inordinate amounts of time baking, cooking, wrapping, ribboning, boxing, labeling and sending things. This year I decided not to. What I thought was a great way to save money and give a little homemade love turned into an all out three day baking fest, layering the household in a fine dusting of flour and leaving me sore, tired and a little put off. This year a simple card and a family portrait will be the gift we give. I also did some non-baking this year.
What’s non-baking? Well, I layered the ingredients for baked goods in jars and wrapped it in ribbons and a recipe card and the recipient gets to bake it themselves! What could be better? I don’t have to work my butt off for great baking and they get fresh out of the oven goodies.
For this week’s recipe, I thought I would give you my all time favourite baking items to make around the holiday season. Christmas parties are great for sharing little bites and baked goodies from your repertoire. Why not open it up a little this year and make something different?
Warm Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
Eggnog Shortbread with White Chocolate
Brown Butter Spiced Apple Cake Sandwich Cookies
Mocha Cake with Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Mocha Frosting
Guilty Kitchen’s Best Meat Lasagna
I’m positively drooling just looking at the pictures. I think I’ll try a few of these but I just might eat them all by myself!
Feel free to share Anne!
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wow, what a spread! looking forward to trying some new things, thanks.
Good for you, preserving your sanity! Your recipes are great. The Idle Hand Bars are intriguing.
Beautiful collection of foods, Elizabeth!
My gosh, if I could reach into my screen and grab everything in front of me, that would be delicious bliss!
I miss baking so much 🙁 Soon I’ll have my own apartment and continue with my baking adventures. Lovely roundup!
Fabulous round up!!
I will take a dozen of your ginger bread cookies. Great post.
Wonderful collection of recipes that are all so tastY AND GREAT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
LOVING the look of the idle hand bars and the eggnog shortbread! I think I am moving out West next Christmas so I can partake in this!
I don’t even know where to begin with all these delicious treats! The cookies look good, the dip looks fabulous.. man oh man.
I keep coming back to your Christmas Baking roundup for inspiration. So many yummy looking things. I really need to make those idle hand bars, I can’t stop thinking about them!
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