BAKING MYSELF INTO OBLIVION

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PHOTOS FOR A CLOSE-UP VIEW DOUBLE BATCH OF PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
CHOCOLATE CHUNK BROWNIE DROPS
GINGERSNAPS TOPPED WITH CRYSTAL SUGAR
PLAIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES FOR MY SON-IN-LAW
PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES TOPPED WITH REESE'S CUPS
PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES WITH REESE'S MORSELS
MINT CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES
I FINALLY FOUND SOME NESTLES MINT CHIPS
THESE ARE A LITTLE BIT TOO "MINTY" FOR ME
NEXT TIME I'LL USE MINT CHIPS AND OMIT MINT FLAVORING

I waited until this week to make my holiday confections because I had sewing projects and gift shopping to do and I wanted a clear road before I began baking. Yesterday I made a double batch of the Peanut Butter fudge for which I posted the recipe. It's in the freezer and ready to be added to some cookie plates this weekend. Today I baked cookies.

I don't know how many batches of cookies I made today, but I'm about baked out. I wanted to bake one more kind of cookie today but will probably wait and make that one tomorrow, along with Spritz and Russian Teacakes, then I'll be done. Oh, I might throw together a batch of Butterscotch Fudge too. Most people make the Fantasy Chocolate Fudge but I like to do something different.

It just wouldn't be Christmas for me without making Spritz and Russian Teacakes. I've made them almost every year since I married - many moons ago. I don't know if the family loves them as much as I do, but that's ok. They are the two kinds of cookie I most enjoy baking. So my freezer is full and I need to pull out some holiday tins and fill them as cookie gifts for a few special neighbors and the family gathering on Saturday. I like to have enough for loved ones to take home some goodies after we've been together.

I'm sure neighbors and family members would be just as happy with a tin of homemade peanut butter fudge or chocolate chip cookies, but I like to offer an assortment. This cookie baker is tired but still has the kitchen clean-up to do. I did have a good time today, listening to Christmas carols, singing along, and making a huge mess. I'll get it cleaned up eventually. There's always a down-side to baking for the holidays, but it's worth the effort.