Colorful lemon wreath cookies add holiday cheer
Cream-colored ponies, crisp apple strudels, doorbells, sleigh bells, schnitzel with noodles and wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings indeed make an outstanding list of favorite things (courtesy of Julie Andrews and “The Sound of Music”).
I would add intricate frost patterns on windowpanes, freshly whipped cream melting atop hot cocoa, rosycheeked children after sledding, a hot toddy spiked with lots of lemon juice and bourbon and the aroma of holiday cookies just out of the oven.
Whether you make a single batch of cookies for you and your family or you bake dozens upon dozens for the neighborhood and office, this edition of the paper has you set up for success.
All manner of gingerbread, cut-outs and fruit-studded cookies can be found gracing these pages. And if you don’t find one you like here, remember this isn’t our first holiday cookie rodeo (just see jsonline.com/cookies).
If you are putting together a cookie platter for a party or a box for your inlaws, it’s easy to end up with a collection that is mostly brown and beige; chocolate, spice and sugar cookies are similar in tone. But there are lots of way to add some welcome color and holiday cheer to your plate.
The easiest way is to put your cookies on pretty waxed tissue paper or on a lovely platter. Add in a few “garnishes” like candy canes or foil-wrapped candies. Or make some of the cookies colorful themselves. Bake merry frosted Christmas trees or stars with vibrant sanding sugar. Bake up linzer cookies with a scarlet dollop of jam and a dusting of snow-white powdered sugar.
Or try your hand at these naturally decorated holiday wreaths. Your imagination is the limit here.
Cut out wreath shapes, either scalloped or smooth, with a hole in the center. Lightly ice them with a bright, lemony icing and make them festive with freeze-dried fruits, dried flower petals, citrus zest or crushed pistachios. These natural decorations will look gorgeous and add flavor and scent, and the cookies just might make your list of favorite things this holiday season.