The season seems to be sparkling all around me! Maybe it’s all the fairy lights I have around the house, maybe it’s my more relaxed view to the Christmas season this year.
I love seeing the beauty in the simple, the majesty in the mundane, the grace that comes from really “seeing”.
A Peek Into My Week
For instance, I walk every morning, usually with my husband, but this week he was on a business trip and I missed holding hands while we walk (it’s kinda our thing – and I highly recommend it 🙂 ), which made me appreciate him a little bit more.
Seeing the twinkling lights while walking at dawn, enjoying old friends at a small party (Favorite Things party, so fun!), or watching my amaryllis bulbs grow overnight, baking something to give to a friend…the little things. I could go on with a million little things.
How are you “seeing” the season? I highly recommend “The Greatest Gift” book this season, or One Thousand Gifts!
Cookies for a Cause
For the past few years I have joined about 30 other bloggers to raise money and awareness through the non-profit Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. They raise money to support research to battle childhood cancers. My own niece passed away at 5 years old from a childhood cancer, so this is near and dear to my heart.
All of the details are in the actual post, but through the month of December, Oxo is matching dollar for dollar (up to $100,000) every dollar donated. No pressure, if your heart is tugged, it’s a worthy cause. If interested, here is the link for a tax deductible donation.
5-Ingredient Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
These 5-ingredient Raspberry Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies are amazing! Super easy to whip up, no eggs and are the jewels on every cookie tray!
New! Cream Cheese Danish Recipe
Using store bought puff pastry dough and a simple cream cheese mixture, you can whip up these warm and tasty Danishes in minutes!
Baking Recipes to Inspire you this Christmas
What recipes are your go-to, must-bake recipes every year? Pop down to the comments and let me know!
We don’t bake all of these every year, we have favorites just like you! But I always try and make something new each year, hopefully you will be inspired as well!
Holiday Baking Recipes
So many great recipes to bake, not all cookies either!
Cranberry Christmas Cake Recipe with Butter Sauce
I adore this cake! Bake in a 9x13 inch pan or in a bundt pan and it comes out beautiful every single time. It looks super basic, but the taste is amazing! No eggs either!
Crème Anglaise
A fabulous sauce to have on hand for those figgy puddings, bread puddings or by the spoonful! LOL!
Mini Chocolate French Silk Pies
Easily adapt this recipe to make in a pie form or square pan, but it's a decedant chocolate silk pie!
Easy Rhodes Rolls Monkey Bread Recipe (with Chocolate)
A dreamy monkey bread with a surprise inside each roll! Bake on Christmas morning or maybe for New Years morning!
Cranberry Walnut Bread (No Knead)
One of my favorite breads of the season, I make it on repeat. Don't like nuts, leave them out, prefer cherries, use cherries! This rustic overnight bread is perfect for breakfast, to serve with dinner or as a gift. Regular and gluten-free options included!
Oatmeal Sugar Cookies | Easy Sugar Cookie Cutout Recipe
Unique sugar cookies in that they are made with an oatmeal cookie base, delicious and fun for kids to bake!
Easy Crockpot Peanut Clusters
Seriously, these are so easy, they take about an hour and most of that is hands off time! Make a bunch and package them up for teachers, friends, neighbors or squirrel them away for yourself!
Lemon Cranberry Bars
Tender shortbread base, holds a sweet-tart cranberry center topped with a bright lemon topping, a beautiful holiday dessert.
Nantucket Cranberry Pie {Easy Cranberry Dessert Recipe}
Surprisingly simple, this is a favorite of ours!
Crumbl Sugar Cookie Recipe
Change the color in the frosting and these become a gorgeous and oh so tasty sugar cookie for the holidays! Don't forget the sprinkles!
Easy Chocolate Loaf Cake
A seriously simple cake, make in a loaf pan, bundt pan, cake pans, cupcakes....light and not too sweet!
Eggnog Gooey Butter Cookies (from scratch)
Gooey, soft and a great way to use up that leftover eggnog!
Easy Chewy Blondies Recipe | The Best Blondie Recipe
Add whatever mix-ins you want, these blondies are the bomb!
Easy Peppermint Chocolate Ice Cream Cake
A must make every holiday season. Great to keep in the freezer for when guests pop over!
White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake (Instant Pot or Oven)
Easy and simple and made in the Instant Pot! A great makeahead dessert!
Sugared Cranberries
Technically you don't bake these bright berries. but if you have never tried sugared cranberries, now is the time. They not only make gorgeous garnish for drinks and baked goods, but put a bowl of them on your next charcuterie board and watch them disappear!
How to Package Cookie Dough for Gift Giving
A fun post on how to package your cookie dough for gifting. Warm cookies on their terms, yes please!
Giant Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies with Fleur de Sel
Another huge hit during the holidays, these plate sized cookies are easy and fun to bake and they reduce stress!
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars & Bites
Change up the sprinkles, use a cookie cutter and make little one bite cookies, super versatile!
Christmas Reindeer Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow) + Free Gift Tags
A Christmas classic with free printable gift tags!
White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
I do think this is probably Santa's favorite Christmas cookie, loaded with peppermint and white chocolate chips wrapped in a tender, buttery cookie!
Pfeffernusse Cookies (German Spice Cookies)
A family tradition that dates back to my father's mother, German Spice cookies called Pfeffernusse. A no egg cookie that gets better with time, dunk them in coffee or tea for the ultimate cookie!
Best Traditional Shortbread Recipe
And my top cookie year round, but especially at the holidays. Classic shortbread. Easy to make, press into a mold as shown here, cut into traditional fingers or roll and use a cookie cutter.
What Readers are Saying | Recipe Testimonials
Excerpts taken from comments on the blog and social media.
Oreo Crumbl Cookie Recipe
“Made these Oreo Crumbl cookies and your Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip cookies for my adult kids who are obsessed with Crumbl Cookies. They were both a bit hit! Amazing and easy!” ~ Dawn
Italian Braised Short Ribs
“This recipe was exceptional! Pretty much followed it to the letter and it was rich and flavorful. I did strain the veggies and removed ago the whole spices but I returned the veggies back to the sauce and it really took it over the top. My family moaned through the entire meal ????” ~ Donna
Hot Buttered Rum
“This came together very quickly and is delicious. Thanks for the great recipe!” Julie
Make up this freezer mix and enjoy it all winter long!
Weekly Inspiration
This is one of my favorite traditional Christmas carols and I love this rendition by Passion featuring Melodie Malone, O Come All Ye Faithful. I invite you to come and adore Him, Christ the King and find real peace this Christmas.
I have been loving Ann VosKamp’s Daily Advent Devotionals (just 90 seconds), just soak this one up from yesterday! Find them all here and follow along!
Until next week dear ones,
I am blessed beyond measure and I thank my Lord and Savior for each of you!
P.S. I have loaded a bunch of my new favorite kitchen gadgets, tools and more into my Amazon shop — some I own, some are on our wish list!
Thanks for visiting The Fresh Cooky’s Amazon Shop
Lynn Spencer
I love the mental image of the two of you walking and holding hands! Merry Christmas my dear friend!
Hugs, Lynn
Awe, thank you friend!