The Skinny Life: So, You Don't Bake. Who Cares....You Know Someone Who Does

Every December I help the non-bakers of the world by creating decadent gift assortments for the holidays....it should be considered my good deed for the year. Order up....my oven is waiting!!

Happy Holidays


	Chocolate Turtle Cookies from Holiday Cookies by Cook's Illustrated

Oh my goodness, I just creamed my butter. I'm looking at a copy of Holiday Cookies from Cook's Illustrated, drooling. Looks like holiday baking just got a little more ridiculous. I mean that in the best possible way, of course.

If you want to deny yourself joy this holiday season--don't place an order. If you want to experience cookies and brownies so good you'll proudly sing Fa-La-LaLaaaa at the top of your lungs.....gimme a shout.

With last minute additions like, Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownies, Oatmeal Butterscotch Bars, Cinnamon Swirls, & Hazelnut Chewies....you'll be debating whether these cutesy comfort gifts are better to give or to receive.

Be the one who starts the season of giving, even if it's to yourself.

First things first, the cookie jar.

Order your cookies in 1/2 or full batches

(average batch yields 24-32 cookies but number varies based on recipe )

The Cookie Monster Assortment ~32 mixed cookies

Give: to the people that get you through the year, co-workers, friends, hairstylist, neighbors, & nannies. Keep: for a cookie swap, Christmas day, or as your private stash of sugar joy.

Chocolate Turtle Cookies (soft)

Chocolate, pecans, and caramel....Joy to the world.

Hot Chocolate Crackle Cookies (soft)

A picture perfect holiday cookie with an attitude. Dark chocolate, cinnamon, a dash of cayenne.

The OMG Bite (soft)

Two of my top five sweets hugged into one...My chocolate chip cookie wrapped around Reese's miniature peanut butter cup. Shut the front door!

Hazelnut Chewies (soft)

I am Italian in spirit & so are these beautiful babies. Chocolate, Hazelnut, Nutella, Espresso.....Omg, all we're missing is a pizza and glass of wine.

Cinnamon Swirls (crunchy)

Imagine Cinnamon Toast Crunch only bigger.

Almond & Orange Shortbread (crunchy)

Lightly sweetened cinnamon almonds and bright orange zest in a rustic sliced cookie.

Bubbie's Snowball Cookies (crumbly)

Subtle and sweet these simple powdered sugar balls are holiday perfection.

The OMG Bite

Hot Chocolate Crackle

Hazelnut Chewie from Cook's Illustrated

Mint Chocolate Chip JoyCake

Introducing JoyCakes.

JoyCakes, aka cakeballs, are a mixture of cake crumb and frosting that have been scooped into two-bite sized balls & dipped in white or dark chocolate.

Order JoyCakes by the 1/2 or full dozen or in a 24 piece assortment.

Give: to the host or hostess of a holiday cocktail party. Keep: to dress up your dessert tray

Mint Chocolate Chip (dark), Red Velvet (dark),

Maple Bacon (white), & Blueberry Cheesecake (white).

Blueberry Cheesecake JoyCake

Brownies & Bars

Order by the 1/2 or full dozen or an assortment of 15 pieces.

Give: to anyone who made the nice list. Keep: for when you're feeling a little naughty

Layered Mint Brownies

Three layers of love starting with a base of fudge brownie, a thick and soft peppermint middle, and a dark chocolate ganache to finish.

Caramel Blondie

Homemade caramels, salted peanuts, & a tender whole wheat blondie batter.

Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownies

A cream cheese center smashed between dark chocolate to balance the sweetness of the raspberry jam

Brown-Butter Rice Crispy Treats

The original recipe is great but my recipe is perfect.

Oatmeal-Butterscotch Bar

Browned butter and toasted oats are the secret to this chewy bars deep flavor.

Caramel Blondies

Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies

Something extra.....you're so thoughtful!

Give: because you have to bring something, it's just polite. Keep: to share at your own fabulous family gathering.

Maple Rosemary Walnuts

Just a little something to have sitting around.

Cabernet Cranberry Sauce (2 cup serving)

All other side dishes will stare when you arrive with this sophisticated whole berry sauce.

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes (12 mini cheesecakes)

The only way pumpkin pie could get better is if you make it into a cheesecake.

Ultimate Coffee Cake (6 mini-Bundt sized cakes)

Lemon olive oil makes this coffee cake super special and extra moist.

Almond Zucchini Bread (loaf)

What? You've never had zucchini bread?? First-timers, I'll have you spoiled. As for the rest of you, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the tricks in this recipe.