Christmas 2007 Cookie List (now updated)

Hard to believe Christmas is here again, and I have only added a handful of posts since last Christmas... I tried to be realistic in my cookie baking plans this season, what with the new baby and all. Is a 10-item list realistic? Don't think so. But a girl can dream, can't she? So here is what on my list so far (I will add reviews as I bake these, so stay tuned).

1. Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies (from Cooking Light)
I made these by mistake this year. They are a repeat from last year, and my reaction is very much the same. Underwhelmed. Child helped me make these this year, so the process was definitely more fun, but the taste is just so so. They are not bad--just not as exciting as they sound.

2. Sugared Cranberries (from Cooking Light)
Made these last year, will make them again. They totally deserve to be on the annual list.
Update: I actually didn't get to make these this year because I could not find decent fresh cranberries anywhere. Really pissed about that.

3. Spiced Maple Pecans
See above. Ditto.
Update: I made several batches of these, and even mailed a package to Iowa to my family.

4. Death by Chocolate Cookies or Black Forest Cookies or Chewy Chocolate Cherry Cookies
The first ones I made last year and loved them. If I make them again this year, I plan to make them smaller and add cranberries. The second and the third I haven't tried, but they sound so tasty. What to do, what to do...
Update: I made the Black Forest ones, substituted bittersweet chocolate chunks and dried cranberries. Oh. My. Lord. Chocoholic's dream. Wow. Definitely, definitely a winner. However, these do not freeze well.

5. Chocolate Cherry Biscotti
Update: I made these with whole wheat flour, and they just didn't turn out great this time. They were tasty, but not hard and crumbly, as the biscotti should be.

6. Pumpkin Walnut Loaf (from Cooking Light)
Will be tripling it this year. So good.
Update: this was good, as always, but did not raise as well this year and ended up being a more dense, heavier bread.

7. Kringla
Bingo. I finally found the right recipe. I have made these before and did not care too much for them, plus the dough was so tough to work with. This recipe is perfect. Husband (who was the requester of these cookies) approved with two big thumbs up.

8. Apricot Cream Cheese Thumbprints
Yummo. Tried apricot, raspberry and strawberry jam this year. Very good. Note for next year: if using whole wheat flour, increase the baking time--otherwise they end up being pretty cakey.

9. Peanut Blossom Cookies
I am craving an old-fashioned cookie.
Update: These turned out great, and Child loved helping me put the candies on top of the cookies. We used milk chocolate, dark chocolate and milk/white swirl chocolate candies. Very pretty.

10. Black Bottom Coconut Bars
A friend of mine made these a few years ago, and they are so, so good. Love me some coconut.
Update: These did not turn out very well for me. Note to self: do not use whole wheat flour next time, big mistake.

And these two recipes, I am not planning to make because I don't want to have a coronary. Two cups of butter? Yikes. But they deserve to be here because OMG, they do sound tasty.

Death by Caramel Bars
Espresso Biscuits