Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Christmas Cookie and Cocktail Recipe Roundup

Cherry Winks Cookies

Indulge yourself this holiday season with some terrific goodies

Our consumption of cookies and cocktails goes up this time of year. The holiday season just inspires us to munch and sip.

So this week, we’ve collected some past recipes – for cookies and cocktails, of course – that we think you’ll find seasonally appropriate.

We’re ready for a holiday break, too, so this will be our last post of the year. But these recipes should warm the hearth until we see you again in 2017.



Pfeffernüsse Cookies

Holiday Cookie Recipes
  • Cherry Winks. These cornflake-fueled goodies are a blast from the 50s.  
  • Pfeffernüsse Cookies. A German cookie, their name can be translated as “pepper nuts.” This is a family recipe that dates back to the 19th century. Pfeffernüsse are good when freshly made, but even better after they age a couple of weeks. 
  • Coconut Kisses (Macaroons). Easier to make than traditional macaroons. Kids (of all ages) love these.  
  • Anise Drop Cookies. When I was growing up, my mother always baked at least a dozen varieties of cookies at Christmastime, and this was a regular.  
  • Crunch Drop Cookies. These are made with Rice Krispies® and quick-cooking oats. So they’re appropriate for breakfast, yes? 
  • Thumbprint Cookies. AKA Thimble Cookies. Fill these with your favorite jellies and jams. Best way we know to enjoy peanut butter and jelly. 
  • Peanut Butter Cookies. A classic that everyone seems to love.
  • Double Orange Dark Chocolate Cookies. Chocolate and orange pair perfectly. And oranges are in season right now – just in time for making this cookie.  
  • Best Chocolate Drop Cookie Ever. A recipe from my great-grandmother. And it really is the best.  
  • Chocolate Pepper Cookies. Black pepper in cookies? Yup. Kids like these; grownups love them.  
  • Almond Sugar Cookies. Because you can’t celebrate the December holidays without baking sugar cookies. 
  • Lemon-Almond Glazed Cookies. Delicious. And fun to decorate with sprinkles or decorating/sanding sugar. 
  • Chocolate Almond Sesame Bars. Another one for almond lovers. Sesame seeds kick the flavor up a notch.  
  • Wedding Cookies. AKA Russian Tea Cakes. Addictive no matter what you call them. 
  • Rum-Frosted Pecan Shortbread Cookies. The name says it all. Santa will love these. 
  • Christmas Stollen. OK, not a cookie. But homemade stollen is perfect for breakfast on Christmas morning.
Grasshopper Cocktail

Holiday Cocktail Recipes
Milk Punch Cocktail

Happy Holidays!

We truly appreciate everyone who drops by and reads our blog. Thank you.

We wish each of you a wonderful holiday season. See you next year.

104 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

Santa will be very happy visiting you, John. So many goodness, I love esp. those Pfeffernüsse.

Natalia said...

Amazing recipes:)

Pam said...

Great cookies, love that Cherry Winks. I'm all done with cookies, made close to 700, now I can enjoy them! And the Grasshopper, the perfect delicious colorful cocktail for the season! Way to go, John and thanks for all the past recipes!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, Pfeffernüsse are great, aren't they? Such a tasty cookie. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Natalia, thanks!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, 700 cookies is a lot! The Grasshopper is a wonderful holiday drink, isn't it? Looks -- and tastes! -- just perfect for the season. Thanks for the comment.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

Your list of cookies and drinks makes me hungry and thirsty for more It's time to have some fun. It's breakfast time for me and I am nibbling on some Stollen that my German girlfriend gave me. Yummy ! Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, Stollen is such good stuff, isn't it? Love its flavor! Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Tricia Buice said...

Munch and sip - such a great idea! Love that grasshopper - so pretty and all the treats sound delicious! Have a very Merry Christmas and look forward to hearing from you next year!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, 'tis the season for munching and sipping. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Merry Christmas. And Happy New Year's!

Mae Travels said...

Have a great Christmas with lots of green and red cocktails!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, we will, we will. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Shashi at SavorySpin said...

You have such a wonderful collection of cookies - such a lovely variety! I could only imagine a cookie buffet at your house - I would be in heaven :)

Laura Dembowski said...

So many great cookie recipes! And yes, stollen is the perfect Christmas breakfast.

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

You've certainly given us wonderful choices for last minute Christmas baking. I hope the two of you enjoy your break, Merry Christmas and all the best in the coming New Year.

Fran @ Gday Souffle said...

Nice to see a summary of all the goodies you've posted this past year- reminds me that I need to try making your Grasshopper cocktail- it looks so refreshing! Happy holidays and I look forward to your return soon.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sashi, and we have about twice as many cookies that we haven't posted. We need to get busy. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

HI Laura, we just LOVE stollen! So nice. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Karen, holiday baking is so much fun, isn't it? Thanks for the comment and holiday greetings, and Merry Christmas!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Fran, the grasshopper is a fun drink! It's been some time since we've had one -- need to enjoy one this season. Thanks for the comment and Happy Holidays!

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

What a delicious round-up John! You got me really curious with the Pfeffernüsse Cookies! And I will take a look at the coctail list for inspiration. A big Happy Holidays to you and the Misses!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, Pfeffernüsse are really worth making! This recipe is better than any store bought one I've ever had. Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Yi @ Yi Reservation said...

That's a massive list of holiday treats and drinks! It'll probably take some time for me to digest all that sweets you shared. Thanks for sharing John and wish you a happy holiday season!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Yi, we wanted to post this well before Christmas so you'd have time to make them all. :D Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Anna Johnston said...

This is a great post with a whole lotta Christmas goodies in one spot. Good stuff. I went to a 50's party last year and they had Grasshopper cocktails, it was kinda like a liquid boiled lolly with a bang, still not sure if I liked it, but it sure does look pretty here.

Pam said...

Sorry, somehow I missed about your holiday break. Enjoy it and Happy Holidays, John! Looking forward to more great posts in 2017! 😊

Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today said...

Have an awesome holiday break, I'll miss you :)

Deb|EastofEdenCooking said...

It is the season to indulge and your round-up is impressive! My mom made Pfeffernüsse too.
It's a great holiday cookie! Happy Holidays John!

Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things said...

Oh wow, John, this is an amazing list of good things for Christmas. Thank you to you both and best wishes for bountiful season's eatings xxx

Lydia from Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen said...

I think we'd like the cherry drop cookies. They look like fun, as do all the cocktails. Wishing all the holiday best to you and Mrs K R :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anna, I like the Grasshopper as a dessert drink. It IS rather like a liquid lolly! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marta, thanks, and Happy Holidays!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Deb, Pfeffernüsse are SO good, aren't they? Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, don't worry about that! Hope you have a wonderful holiday season! :-)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, always good to sip and munch at this time of the year, isn't it? Although we'll regret it in January! Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lydia, those are a really good cookie! Pretty, too. Thanks for the comment, and hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Unknown said...

Well why not ! Of course we must have cookies and cocktails. Who needs to eat little dainty food on a tooth pick anyways when you can pick up a cookie with your hands and balance it on the side of your cocktail glass. It is the new hip Tapas! Great round up! Wishing you and Mrs. Riffs a safe and happy holiday season. See you in the New Year!

Juliana said...

Awesome round-up John...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and all your loved ones...see you in 2017!

Ala said...

I'm bookmarking all of these--I haven't heard of half of them, but they look wonderful! Happy holidays to you and the Mrs., John!

Denise Browning said...

this is the proper way to celebrate such a festive time of the year. Happy Holidays to you!

Agness said...

Oh no ... and I was trying to give up on some sweets this Christmas :P :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, definitely the new hip tapas! :D Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Juliana, thanks, and Happy Holidays!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ala, a lot of good cookies for you to try! Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, lot of fun choices. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Agness, OK, you can give up "some" sweets, but not all sweets. :D Thanks for the comment.

Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen said...

Oh wow! I love this Christmas Round Up. So many delicious things to try.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Peachy, so many to try, and only so many days in the month! A good problem to have. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

Jeez John. I thought I was done with my baking but now I see I have so much more to go. Perhaps I should just start on the drinking! Have a great holiday. All my best to you and Mrs. Riffs!

Frank said...

Wow, that's an impressive collection of both cookies and cocktails. Look like you'll be having a sweet Christmas, John.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, we always find that drinking and baking go together. :D Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Frank, sweet indeed! Thanks for the comment, and I hope you have a terrific holiday season!

Robyn said...

Wow, you've got so many fabulous recipes for both treats and drinks, John. Definitely time to enjoy both. Happy holidays to you and the Mrs!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Robyn, we love making and enjoying cookies and cocktails at this time of the year! Always look forward to this. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Pam said...

Great collection! Merry Christmas, John!

GiGi Eats Celebrities said...

Oh man, I want to eat ALL the cookies! ALL of them!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, three are some goodies here! :-) Thanks for the comment, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, don't we all? And when I was a kid, I tried! :-) Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

Cookies and Cocktails!! How can you go wrong there? :) Hum...a grasshopper with wedding cookies. YUM! Have a wonderful holiday John and see you next year!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, a grasshopper with wedding cookies sounds like a terrific combo! Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

NIsha @ Honey, What's Cooking said...

YOu guys have the most exotic recipes... such unique names. :) Speaking of cookies, I just made the dough for chocolate chip cookies and they are so fatty. I don't think I've ever used so much fat in my life. :(
Happy Holidays to you too, John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Nisha, fat tastes good! Particularly if you use butter in your chocolate chip cookies, which we always do. Lots of it. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Cheri Savory Spoon said...

Happy Holidays John and Mrs. Riffs! great send off for the holidays, love the cookies and the drinks!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Cheri, we're having cookies and cocktails tonight! :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Food Gal said...

I'll take one of each! (cocktail and cookie!) Hey, it is the season to indulge, right? Happy holidays!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, we're having cookies and cocktails tonight! :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Jeff said...

Uh...you read my mind! I was just about to scour your site to find a Christmas cocktail, and you did all the prep for me. Thanks!

Unknown said...

I can't wait to start going through your christmas cookie links. Cherry Winks! I had completely forgotten about those, and I love them. By the way, that's hands-down the most dramatic photo of mexican wedding cakes i've ever seen; it's beautiful. :) happy holidays to you and Mrs.KR!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, happy to oblige! :D Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Shannon, cherry winks are a blast from the past, aren't they? Really good cookie. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Raymund said...

What a nice roundup! lots of good cookies in there

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Raymund, loads of good cookies. And we're trying to eat them all! :D Thanks for the comment.

Amira said...

A festive collection, I like all of those cookies and I need lots of time to try them all :). Happy holidays to you too John.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amira, you definitely need to try them all. Although not all at one time! :-) Way too many for that. Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

handmade by amalia said...

Now I want a cookie. And a drink (but only tea at this hour :-)
Amalia
xo

Easyfoodsmith said...

The cookie round up sounds amazing especially the German cookies...these old recipes that have passed the tests of years are such a treasure. Thanks for sharing. I hope I get to try a few of them :)

danireadsalot said...

I've already made the Pfeffernüsse cookies and Nicholas is making the Christmas Stollen when he comes home this week. Your cookie list is a family treasure. Thank you for posting the entire yummy list!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amalia, a bit early for a drink, isn't it? Cookies anytime, however! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Taruna, we do know some good cookie recipes! hanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dani, we have more recipes we really need to put up. We haven't made stollen this year -- should probably do that. Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Frank said...

There are the makings of a great Christmas party here! I read over the eggnog recipe and you've solved a mystery there for me—why eggnog doesn't go bad, and in fact can "age" without spoiling the eggs. Of course, it's the spirits... I guess I should have known. Anyway, you've inspired me to go out and make a batch today!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Frank, it's interesting how/why eggnog doesn't go bad, isn't it? And that's a good recipe! :-) Thanks for the comment. And Happy Holidays!

Maureen said...

Gosh, who would need anything else but this list for the holidays? Who needs ham and turkey???

Merry Christmas to you both!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Maureen, yup, cookies and cocktails are enough for us! :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

All That I'm Eating said...

Great round up! Plenty of things to try!

Katerina said...

I would have a great Christmas time with all these cocktails! Happy Christmas and Joy in your hearts!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Caroline, we like having lots of choices! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Katerina, those are a lot of cocktails! And cookies. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Claudia said...

I thought I was done baking cookies and then those pfeffernusse cookies and chocolate-orange cookies (love that combo) called out to me. The Brandy Alexander cocktail is a blast from my past. Such a fun round-up. Happy holidays and all the best in 2017.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Claudia, those cookies are both worth making! Really good. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

~~louise~~ said...

Hi John and Mrs. K.R. Merry Christmas and a very Happy, Safe and Healthy New Year to you both!!!

You sure have served up some delicious sounding cookies and cocktails John. I'd take any one or all at any given time. Thank you so much for sharing such a delightful spread.

It has been wonderful dropping by for a nibble and a sip these past years John. Thank you for opening your blog to us and making us feel at home. Those loving banters between you and Mrs. K.R. when closing really added that cozy firendly feeling. Thank you for that too:)

I'm glad we are connected on Facebook. I plan on trying to learn how to use it better in the future. In the meantime, I can keep up with your yummy posts! Thanks again John.

Enjoy your break, Merry Christmas!!! Stay well my friend...Louise:)



Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

Great cookie and cocktail recipes. Wishing a wonderful Holiday Season. See you in 2017!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Louise, sorry you're going to stop blogging, but your reasons make SO much sense! And really glad we've met. Virtually speaking. :-) Thanks for the comment and Merry Christmas. And Happy New Year's!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, thanks for the comment, and Happy Holidays!

Beth said...

Hope you had a Merry Christmas too! Great roundup, and looking forward to more posts in 2017.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Beth, we had a great Christmas. And are looking forward to a Happy New Year's. :-) Thanks for the comment.

lisa is cooking said...

Two great lists! Hope you're having a wonderful holiday season.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lisa, a lot of good eats and drinks! :-) We're having a wonderful holiday -- hope you are, too. Thanks for the comment.

Gourmet Getaways said...

What a delicious collection!
Thanks for sharing
Julie
Gourmetgetaways

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Julie, loads of nice choices, don't you think? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Lux G. said...

Yummmm. A good excuse to indulge is the holidays.
Happy 2017!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lux, Happy 2017! Thanks for the comment.

motherrimmy said...

White Russians are this family's favorite cocktail (though the hubby would say a coffee nudge is a close second). I wanted to let you know that I've decided to put blogging aside for awhile. My paying job is taking priority, so I'll be watching you cook up and mix up delicious drinks and dishes from the sidelines. I wish you a wonderful 2017. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kristi, the White Russian is wonderful, isn't it? Such a fun drink! Sorry to hear you won't be blogging for awhile, but you certainly have good reason! Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!