Cookies and Candy

Compari Iced Shortbread Cookies are topped with Golden Orange Sugar and arranged on a green glass cake stand.

Campari Shortbread Cookies

Delicious buttery shortbread is topped with a brazenly pink icing glaze flavored with the bitter Italian aperitif, Campari. Sprinkled with a pinch of golden citrus infused sugar Campari Shortbread Cookies are the best new cookie recipe I’ve found in years. The dough is easy to make, cuts beautifully, and holds its shape while baking. The finished cookies have a striking appearance making them delightful little bites of holiday cheer.

A plate of Aunt Noni's Christmas Fudge on display in front of Aunt Hen's Peanut Butter Fudge and Mama Jean's Old Fashioned Fudge.

Aunt Noni’s Christmas Fudge

A classic mid-century recipe, Aunt Noni’s Christmas Fudge is nearly foolproof. Sometimes called “No-Fail” Fudge, the directions are easy and require no candy thermometer. This recipe makes a deliciously creamy fudge with a rich chocolate flavor.

Aunt Betty's Spicy Oatmeal Cookies stacked on a white plate.

Aunt Betty’s Spicy Oatmeal Cookies

A measure of cloves rounds out the sweetness of cinnamon and dark brown sugar to create an intriguing flavor in Aunt Betty’s Spicy Oatmeal Cookies. The spices lay down a lingering impression on the tongue to sweeten the bitter notes in the coffee Aunt Betty loved to share. They also taste great with cold milk in a wide glass for dipping.

Cinnamon Coffee Crisps with Coffee Icing and coffee bean candies.

Cinnamon Coffee Crisps are Full of Fall Flavor

Cinnamon Coffee Crisps speak in the language of fall flavors. Caramel tones of brown sugar sweeten the warmth of ground cinnamon and espresso powder to make these cookies deliciously flavorful. Topped with a quick embellishment, they are well dressed for most any occasion.

Chocolate-Covered Digestive Cookies on a black wire rack

Pretty Little Chocolate-Covered Digestive Cookies

nd mental. Maybe that’s why I thought this was a good time to make some Chocolate-Covered Digestive Cookies. These semi-sweet cookies are made from a dough that is rich in whole grains. The dough holds its shape through baking and produces a pretty cutout cookie to enjoy plain or topped with chocolate.

Pfeffernüsse topped with crushed pink peppercorns are stacked on a silvered dessert plate.

Pfeffernüsse with Cracked Pink Peppercorns

The flavor of this little cookie is bold but balanced. A thin sugar glaze provides the perfect contrast of sweetness while a pinch of pink peppercorns adds a lovely festive flourish. They are pretty on a cookie platter and also perfect served as a single sweet on the saucer beside a cup of good coffee.

Gingerbread Cookies with Colored Sugar Sprinkles on a plate

Gingerbread Cookies

Today is Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. The twelve days of Christmas have come and gone. I’ve packed away the holiday snow scenes and frosted decorations. I’ve turned the page on my calendar and started making plans for a new year. I’ve even turned in my favorite Christmas […]

White Chocolate Almond Brownies (Blondies) drizzled with dark chocolate and stacked on a square plate

White Chocolate Almond Brownies (Blondies)

I once had a recipe for the perfect summer dessert bar: White Chocolate Brownies. The photo was luscious 80’s elegance, a stack of pale squarely sliced bars drizzled with a grid of dark chocolate and arranged on a red plate. They looked picnic ready and utterly delectable. I swooned and clipped the page…

Four Cinnamon Toast Biscotti arranged on a white saucer beside cinnamon sticks and a coffee cup.

Cinnamon Toast Biscotti

What makes Cinnamon Toast Biscotti special is the topping added during the second bake. After cutting the loaves into thick slices and toasting one side, brush the biscotti with a bit of butter. Then sprinkle each cookie with cinnamon and sugar, like a slice of Cinnamon Toast.

Easy Pecan Bars stacked on a plate with a pecan garnish.

Easy Pecan Bars

The recipe for these Pecan Bars is easier than most. The crust does not need to be rolled out and no candy thermometer is required. Even better, the addition of lemon zest adds a refreshing note to the rich honey and brown sugar sweetened flavor of this holiday favorite.