Cookies and Candy

Bourbon Vanilla Truffles

Like Mint Juleps, Bourbon Balls are a special treat that take me back to my roots in Kentucky. There is a wonderful candy shop there that makes the very best of these delicious candies…

Peanut Butter Fudge Egg covered with Chocolate Fondant and decorated with icing flowers

Peanut Butter Fudge Easter Eggs

Earlier this month a friend invited me to join her in taking a Ukrainian Egg decorating class. The class was offered at Pomeroy Living History Farm. I was intrigued. I always enjoy visiting Pomeroy Farm and Ukrainian Pysanka Eggs are beautiful. What’s more the art of Pysanka has a certain […]

Sugar Cookies, one decorated as a broken heart with Royal Icing and butterfly cookies with decorator sugar.

Sugar Cookies

This dough holds its shape beautifully through baking. It makes firm Sugar Cookies that are easy to work with and perfect for decorating. Topped with Royal Icing and colorful decorator sprinkles they make an attractively sweet holiday expression.

Vanilla Chile Truffles rolled in cocoa powder and arranged in a glass dish

Vanilla Chile Truffles

I go to Vosges Chocolat and find the inspiration to make truffles laced with the richness of vanilla cream, the exotic depth of cinnamon and the heat of two fiery ground chile peppers. I don’t have time to dip them and I don’t have the perfect garnish to make them individually gorgeous but I have chocolate and I’m making truffles and I know they’ll taste great!

Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies on a plate

Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies

If you crave cookies but don’t mind passing on dense buttery richness, try these light, sweet Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies. They consist of just the basics: sugar, chocolate and nuts, held together in a meringue cloud. Meringue Cookie Occasions The holidays are over. We have just followed a celebration featuring […]

Thyme Hazelnut Lemon are topped with Lemon Icing and presented on a square plate.

Thyme, Hazelnut and Lemon Cookies

Lemon thyme, hazelnuts and lemon zest work together to flavor the dough for these slice and bake cookies. Then a squiggle of tart Lemon Icing finishes Thyme, Hazelnut and Lemon Cookies with a touch of easy elegance. So much more than just a bright complement to an assortment of holiday sweets, these little gems stand alone as a welcome treat in any season.

Russian Teacakes displayed with a lit Christmas Tree in the background.

Russian Teacakes

No tray of Christmas cookies is complete without at least a few buttery, not-too-sweet, Russian Teacakes. These favorite cookies have so much to recommend them. Pretty and festive, they keep well stored in an air-tight tin. The dough is also easy to prepare and does not have to chill before shaping. I use a small cookie scoop to form the balls of dough and then place them directly on the cookie sheet for baking.

A precarious stack of Ginger Cookie Sticks on a small wooden tray.

Ginger Cookie Sticks

A surprisingly simple recipe, Ginger Cookie Sticks require no eggs or other leavening. Much like Meltaway Cookies, these cookie sticks have a tender flaky texture with a light buttery crumb. Topped with candied ginger and sparkling sugar, Ginger Cookie Sticks are pretty and fragrantly festive, all without a lot of fuss.

Meringue Ghost Cookies on an orange plate with ceramic leaf decorations.

Meringue Ghost Cookies

Baking a batch of Meringue Ghost Cookies is a great way for children of all ages to enjoy the season. These cookies are easy to make using just a few simple ingredients. They are also low in calories and fat and have a wonderful vanilla flavor.