Whether you’ve baked a dozen batches of every cookie bookmarked in your recipe file or have yet to fire up the oven, it’s never too late to squeeze in another sweet option. Especially true around the holidays, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the season than with a few homemade morsels of sweetness. The possibilities are simply endless, taking form in every shape under the sun, boasting colors and flavors previously beyond the scope of imagination. Even if you have a game plan all set out for your festive gifts, desserts, and midnight snacks, it’s never to late to add a few more recipes to that list.
This is especially true when you’re talking about the winners of the annual VegNews Holiday Cookie Contest. Certified delicious by a panel of discerning sweet teeth, I was tasked with an assignment of significant import: Photographing the top three victorious treats. Yes, it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it.
In third place, the Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies by Alison Sullivan sparkle with the warm spices and rich chocolate flavor. The only thing better than enjoying one still warm out of the oven would be to pair it with a cup of the eponymous beverage itself.
Coming in at second place, the Gingerbread Fudge Buttons by Anna Jurik are real beauties to behold. Luscious pools of melted chocolate resting in tender gingerbread cups, these options are sure to shine on any cookie platter.
Taking the grand prize in first place, it’s easy to see why the Salted Caramel Cookies by Michelle Norton took the cake- Or cookie, as it were. Dangerously easy to whip up, this sweet and salty combination hits all the high notes in every soft, chewy bite. Just try and leave a single one out for Santa, I dare you!
No matter how you decide to celebrate the holiday, or not, be sure to make it sweet. Have a happy everything!
What great recipes, and what wonderful photographs. Brava, amica. Congratulations and kudos also on the correct usage of eponymous! I send my warmest wishes to you for a glorious holiday season and a grand 2016.
Tough job indeed and these all look amazing, thanks! Happy Holidays!
So nice and festive, Santa will be sad not to get any. :-)
Certainly sweet, Hannah. Hope you had a wonderful day.
janet
It’s well and truly all over red rover here. I must admit, we didn’t do much different to what we normally do apart from eat a few different things and drink a bit more than usual. No cookie baking here but then it was 86f here yesterday so any kind of baking was off the agenda ;) Happy Hanukkah Hannah :)
The Mexican Hot Chocolate cookies are straight off the PPK website – not sure if a stolen recipe should have won?
http://www.theppk.com/2009/09/mexican-hot-chocolate-snickerdoodles/
Oh shoot, you’re right… I don’t think the folks at VegNews know about this. What a shame!
It is never too late for another batch of holiday cookies. Just the idea of a salted caramel cookie is tempting. I’m curious about the Mexican Hot Chocolate cookies– wouldn’t have thought of putting 1/2 tsp. of cayenne in a batch of cookies, it seems like a lot!
What tasty cookie recipes & what lovely photos too, dear Hannah! xxx