There is something delightfully personal and delicious about receiving a tin of holiday cookies--something that says "these were made just for you". Cookies and Christmas are inseparable--after all, it's a much-loved tradition to leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk out on Christmas Eve for that revered world traveler, Santa Claus. With "Holiday Cookies: Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season", author Elisabet Der Nederlanden offers a treat-filled treasury of 50 recipes, plus more ideas for taste-filled ways to celebrate the holiday season. Beginning with her introduction recalling her childhood in Sweden, and through her early training as a baker, as well as present day, the author expresses her love of the holidays and how baking always puts her "in the spirit of the season". This beautifully-realized collection of cookies and creative ideas like gingerbread houses, cookie place cards, and edible ornaments will easily become a favorite addition to your cookbook shelf. Here's a sampler of the irresistible treats you will find: "Red Velvet Crackle Cookies"; "Triple-Chocolate Chunk Cookies"; "Fruitcake Shortbread"; "Dark Chocolate Cookies with Caramel"; "Molasses Spice Cookies"; "Glazed Eggnog Madeleines"; "Swedish Pepparkakor"; "Mexican Wedding Cookies"; "Christmas Tree Sugar Cookie Cutouts"; "Candy Cane Cookies"; "Stained-Glass Snowflakes"; "Peppermint Bark"; and "Bourbon and Maple Chocolate Truffles". There's so much more here to enjoy--it's the stuff that holiday dreams are made of--good times shared with family and friends--memories that last a lifetime. While you're at it, making all these good things for others to savor, don't forget to make your own goodie box, filled with your very favorite sweet eats--and hide it, just for you to find when you need a secret reward.

Book Copy Gratis Ten Speed Press via Blogging for Books ( )

A very elegant collection of Holiday cookie recipes. Although the end results look a bit intimidating to a casual baker, reading the recipes has made me confident that I might be able to achieve the same results.

The 50 or so recipes include classics like gingerbread, spritz cookies and macaroons, and also less usual recipes like Glazed Eggnog Madeleines, Saffron Pistachio Biscotti, and Alfajores.

I learned from the included tips on baking and storing cookies, and I am inspired to try many of the recipes included. Also, because the book is so very beautiful, and has both classic and unique recipes, I think it would make a wonderful gift for any home baker.


**eARC Netgalley** ( )

Full review to come closer to the September 2017 release date.



Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Born from her childhood memories of festive holiday seasons in Sweden, Holiday Cookies by Elisabet der Nederlanden celebrates her lifelong love of baking around the holidays.

The six chapters of recipes will make delicious cookies. After a brief introduction from the author and a description of the inspiration for this book, you will find some excellent helpful hints and tricks which will help you with the recipes to come.

"Cookies Tips And Tricks" covers the basic techniques recommended for use with the recipes. "Decorating Cookies" offers some excellent suggestions on how to beautify your creations.

The "Royal Icing" recipe is separate from the rest as this will be an add-on to many of the actual cookie recipes. Detailed instructions offer the information necessary to create the consistency you'll want for your various needs.

Finally, "Packaging Tips And Tricks" and "Storing Cookies" finish the brief introduction to the book.

The first chapter of cookie recipes begins with "Very Merry Classics". These are your classic holiday cookies from Gingerbread Cookies to Chocolate Macaroons, Pinwheel Cookies, and Shortbread Rounds, etc.

If you are going to be sharing your holiday baking with friends, you will want to try the "Cookie Exchange Party" recipes. A Cookie Exchange is so much fun and is an excellent way to easily get variety without the hassle. With a Cookie Exchange, several friends can get together, each creating their own recipe, and then sharing the results. Everybody goes home with a nice variety of baked goods while only having had to create one recipe themselves.

For more information on how to host a Cookie Exchange see my article here. I do approve of the recipes chosen for the Cookie Exchange chapter. These will all travel well for the exchange.

For those looking to spice up their holiday gatherings, you will want the recipes from the "Warm Holiday Spice" chapter. Here is where you'll find the most flavorful, spice cookies.

If you were thinking globally, then "Around The World" is where you'll find a more international cookie. The author includes recipes from Sweden, Italy, Austria, South America, and more.

Get In The Spirit

Brittle, bark, caramels, truffles and other homemade candies make a great holiday gift. The recipes for these and more are in chapter 5 "Holiday Confections". The lovely photo of the "Peppermint Bark" recipe truly puts you in the holiday spirit.

"Decorated Delights" is the final chapter. You'll find cookie-cutter recipes for cookie ornaments, snaps, even an awesome 3D Christmas tree recipe. The "Stained-Glass Snowflakes" recipe is sure to be a hit. They are just so cute you will want to hang them in your window to catch the light, or even from the tree.

And if you've ever wanted to create your own Gingerbread House the recipe is here, with everything you need to make it from scratch. Because the recipe instructions are well described, they are therefore very easy to follow. Even something as complicated as a Gingerbread House seems a little less daunting.

After the recipes are all read and done, there are a final few pages of "Special Ingredients" and "Resources". It would be helpful to read the "Special Ingredients" information before you go sourcing your ingredients. The "Resources" section will help you find those hard-to-find tools and spices and more.

The pictures included are lovely full-page and full-color. Sometimes if you're not familiar with a recipe it is hard to know what it will look like which, therefore, makes it harder to create. These pictures will really help you imagine your creations. Planning a holiday bake? You would be hard-pressed to find a better set of recipes.

I chose the "Black And Whites" cookie recipe because they are an elegant looking cookie that would work for any occasion. And they have chocolate. 'Nuf said. See the recipe with the full review at RecipesNow! The Reviews And Recipes Magazine.

Thanks to the publishers for a complimentary copy of the book in return for an honest review. ( )