Personally, I find baked goods to be the safest bet at holiday gatherings, especially when you don’t know everyone. They’re inexpensive to make, show that you put a little bit of effort into your gifts, and who doesn’t like receiving baked goods? We all need a little sweetness in our lives, especially now. These are my favourite cookies and you can bet I’ll be sharing them over the holidays.
Taylor Swift’s Chai Tea Sugar Cookies
It’s like a cozy fall day dusted with cinnamon sugar. Taylor Swift gave her fans this cookie recipe a few years ago and they exploded with joy. In my opinion, they’re best enjoyed with hot apple cider or mulled wine, and her version of Last Christmas playing out loud while you dance around the kitchen in your flannels.
Earl Grey Tea Shortbread Cookies
These cookies came to me from Sugar and Soul, advertised as the perfect pairing with a nice cup of tea and an episode of Downton Abbey. Don’t be fooled by how simple the recipe looks. Shortbread is notoriously crumbly, which is why I add an egg yolk to my batch to keep things nice and firm. These cookies aren’t overly sweet. The optional but highly recommended lemon glaze really sets of the hint of orange pekoe in the tea!
Coconut Lemon Amaretti
This recipe came to me from Western Living mag, but it hails originally from Italy. Made with almond flour, shredded coconut and a generous squeeze of lemon juice, these morsel-sized cookies are soft and chewy and they simply explode with flavour. Even despite their citrus, they pair nicely with after-dinner coffee liqueurs or pudding wines. The first time I tried this recipe, my family polished them off. It’s a recipe that demands doubling if you hope to have any leftover for yourself. 😉