She Says: All the Pretty Christmas Cookies
I think I got all of my shopping done! I don’t know why or when I became this kind of last minute shopper, but it’s really no fun! After school I was able to get out and pick up a couple last minute items. When I got home I finished up my cookies making. This year I made just two types of cookies. My mom’s been feeling a little down and not up to her usual holiday cheer and merriment because of my grandpa’s death. Usually we make cookies together, so I let her choose two that I would make instead.
She asked me to make macaroons, which she loves but claims to be horrible at making. I’ve never made them and am not biggest coconut fan, but I agreed to do it. I used a bag of shredded coconut that I received from Oh Nuts as my base. I was surprised by the consistency of the shredded coconut, it was much flakier than I was expecting. I followed this Martha Stewart recipe, but I ended up adding six egg whites because it was just not coming together – maybe the coconut consistency? Thanks Mark for cracking those two other egg whites when my hands were all coconutty.
Mark the taster said they were good. 
A super secret trick was adding white chocolate chips to half the batch. Seemed like a good idea.
And the second cookie was a simple Betty Crocker cookie that is tradition in my family. I was sad that my mom said she wasn’t going to make them, and happy when she picked them for me to make. It was daunting doing it on my own because my mom’s are a work of art; just look at her Santa from last year.
I followed our same recipe, but omitted the almond extract so that I could bring them to my sister’s house for Christmas (my nephew Jack is allergic to nuts).
I made mittens. Here’s my Villanova mitten.
Trees.
And festive hearts.
I packaged them all up for my family in these Martha Stewart boxes that were half off at Michael’s. Fancy.
And that’s that – Cookiefest 2009 is over. I still have one more dessert to make before I head up to Rhode Island tomorrow. Hope you are enjoying the week and are able to spend lots of time with friends and family.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:18 am
Wow your cookies look professional. Enjoy the holiday
December 24th, 2009 at 1:03 am
You make me want to bake all the time! I’ve got some chocolate chip cookies to whip up tonight, too.
December 24th, 2009 at 7:08 am
Those are the cutest sugar cookies!
December 24th, 2009 at 7:27 am
The cookies look great Heather! You are so artistic- my sugar cookie decor is usually pretty sad haha. Merry (almost) Christmas
December 24th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I love those cookies! Christmas cookies are the best!
December 24th, 2009 at 9:14 am
MMMMM those cookies look amazing!! haha i think if i made cookie gifts they would never make it out of the kitchen
they would all end up in my stomach hehehe…hope u have a great holiday!!
December 24th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Nice of you to help your mom carry out your traditions. Merry Christmas, Hangry Family.
December 24th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Awwh those are beautiful! I hope your mom gets through the holidays with joy in her heart. xox
December 24th, 2009 at 10:14 am
So sweet of you to bake cookies for your mama. I know she will love ‘em – they look scrumpy!
December 24th, 2009 at 11:21 am
my family just made those cookies last night! they are delicious, but i’d prefer the frosting on it’s own!
♥ lindsey
December 24th, 2009 at 11:51 am
it just ain’t christmas without cookies! Looks lovely, girl!
December 24th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
nothing says christmas like cookies!!! looks beautiful!
December 24th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
all of your cookies look great! especially that Santa
Have a safe trip to RI tomorrow, and happy Christmas Eve!
December 24th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Purdy! The cookies look great, and I’m so happy you can run again! Happy holidays to you and yours.
December 24th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
cookie palooozaaaa, yayyy!!!
Hope you have the a great holiday Heather, with lots of Shiloh pics! Awesome news about the running too 
December 24th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Heather they are so gorgeous. I am so happy you kept this tradition this year… I know they will cheer your mom up!!!!! Merry Christmas to you and your whole family!
December 24th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Wishing you and your family the happiest holiday and new year! Hopefully those beautiful cookies will spread more Christmas cheer!
P.S. I rhyme when I’m feeling festive
December 24th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
mmmm cookies look delish!
December 24th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
The cookie look great!! Hope Cookifest helped you mom get in the Christmas spirit.
December 25th, 2009 at 3:38 am
You are such a skilled baker!
Merry Christmas!
December 25th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
You did a great job with cookie baking this Christmas! I love the fancy boxes
Merry Christmas, Heather!!
December 26th, 2009 at 12:03 am
merry x-mas! how i love cookies!
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