The question of how to assemble a holiday cookie platter, care package, or gift basket may not seem that complicated: Just make a bunch of your favorite cookies and give them away! But the reality can be a little more complicated, especially when all cookies have equally short shelf lives, leaving the recipient with a box of goodies that go stale before the end of the week, not to mention the variety. Of gifts. Enjoy it throughout the holiday season. For this reason, it’s helpful to mix and match cookie styles to create a longer window of enjoyment – ​​tender lemon meltaways, soft and chewy no-bake cookies, delicately crunchy gingerbread men, crispy biscotti, and sandwiches with creamy fillings. Think about cookies.
Not only does this extend the overall shelf life of the cookie plate or care package, but choosing different styles usually allows for a wider range of flavors and textures as well as techniques, giving you more flexibility if you want to do so. A delicious mixture is prepared with. Some preparation in advance. (On that note, check out our guide Plan ahead for holiday baking,
To help you get started, I’ve put together a collection of my favorite cookies for gift giving. Remember, even if there is no cookie sound That celebration, a dip or two tempered chocolate And seasonal showers will lift up even the humblest person Slice ‘n’ Bake Shortbread,
Cutout Cookies
With or without frosting, my holiday favorites Rolled Sugar Cookie Cutouts And Gingerbread cookiesBecause their flavors and textures are so different (one tender and light, the other crunchy and spicy), I will often include both when giving cookies as gifts.
The dough for this style of cookie can be refrigerated up to a week in advance, or frozen for up to several months, and it produces cookies with a shelf life of a week or more.
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drop cookies
Making and customizing classic drop cookies are both quick and easy. Additionally, the dough can be made, divided into portions, and pre-refrigerated or frozen, then thawed and baked to order (more details built into each recipe). . On the other hand, they tend to go stale faster than crispier cookie styles, so they should be used to make only a small portion of a gift box.
My absolute favorite in this category would be mine Lacy Ricotta CookiesBecause their shelf life is exceptionally long for drop cookies – about a week, if kept in an airtight container at room temperature. And they make a sweet and simple counterpoint to an assortment of cookies filled with nuts, chocolate, or spices.
No-Bake Cookies Another major contender in this area, as they are actually hidden smoothie drops, which means they also have an excellent shelf life.
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cake cookies
Where drop cookies are crisp around the edges, this style of cookie is soft and tender throughout. would be my top choice Homemade Fig NewtonsBecause both the dough and filling can be made in advance and refrigerated before assembling.
Once baked, these bar cookies really benefit from an overnight rest, and plus, the moisture in the figgy filling helps extend their shelf life beyond what you would normally expect with home-made cookies. Expect from cookie. Their fruity flavor is a welcome note to offset all the hearty spices and nuts found in other seasonal dishes.
Homemade Lofthouse Cookies Another holiday favorite in my family, especially since the frosting and sprinkles allow for customization.
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Sandy Cookies
in the south, Mexican Wedding Cookies (sometimes known as snowballs or Russian tea cakes) are a Christmas staple. Done right, they cook the sandy bread like a good shortbread instead of dry. Their soft, crumbly nature helps them survive long periods of storage: perfect for care packages and holiday gifts.
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Extra Crunchy Cookies
Where gingerbread cookies are delicately crisp, gingersnaps have an almost seismic crunch. It also gives them epic keeping qualities, a cookie that can go toe-to-toe with my other favorite long-lasting option: biscotti (which looks especially posh when dipped in chocolate).
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Sandwich Cookies
Because sandwich cookies require a strong, low-moisture filling that does not break down with every bite, they have excellent shelf life. My favorites to give as gifts include Homemade Oreos (especially when the stuffing is mixed with mint extract and a drop of green food coloring), tied together with bright and spicy flavors Homemade Carr-Style Ginger Lemon Cream,
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Take it easy!
Despite all the technical considerations of shelf life and balanced flavor profiles, textures and techniques, the goal of giving a box of Christmas cookies is to spread some holiday cheer. And it’s almost impossible to accomplish if the baker in charge is tired and stressed – so take some time to plan, choose recipes that match your skill level, give yourself plenty of time to get the job done and enjoy. Take it!
