Christmas cookie round up (super honest style)

Ah, so it’s (let me count…) five days before Christmas and you’re now thinking “you know what, I SHOULD make some Christmas cookies for a gift / that party / to put in my face.”

You’re right. You should. Sure, some people are on top of these things weeks ago. But they’re also the same people who order things online in advance. Unlike me who is puzzled that nothing I want to buy online today as a Christmas gift will arrive on time.

Therefore I’ve rounded up some Christmas cookies for you, and also ranked them in order of “easy-to-make” to “really-you’re-going-try-that-right-now?”

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Best Christmas rolled sugar cookies

I did a lot of research before settling on this recipe for cookies and royal icing. I read a lot of comments, reviews and author’s feedback. So you can feel safe in the knowledge that I undertook this with a great deal of seriousness.

Which is kind of ironic because I iced them at midnight, after a lot of vodkas, that were consumed at a Christmas catch-up with a lovely girlfriend. BUT, I personally think that testifies to the safety of the recipe, the research I did, and the science of it all (coz I love the nerdy science aspects of baking).

Another reason this recipe needed to be foolproof was because it’s 30C degrees on average at the moment in Melbourne, and that adds an extra layer of difficulty to making traditional Christmas recipes, especially cookies that require rolling.

So I wanted absolutely foolproof. And vodka proof.

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Chocolate chip hot cross buns

Welcome to part two of my hot cross bun Easter super-special! Part one was traditional hot cross buns if that’s what you’re after.

I’ve been surprised to learn since my first post that hot cross buns are somewhat local to the UK, Australia and NZ. So, for my lovely American readers, these are an Easter bun (historically Christian – hence the cross) traditionally eaten hot or toasted during Easter.

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How to make hot cross buns

Look what I did! Look look! So proud. Don’t worry, I’ve got step by step instructions for you too.

And yes, they do taste better than store bought. Promise.

I did lots of research on this one. Combined three different recipes, checked what my favourite baker puts in his. Then, I made them again tweaking the things I thought could have been improved from the first batch. I’ve got your back on this one. AND, I’ve got a chocolate chip version I’ll put up in a few days.

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Rocky road (perfect for Christmas)

In part two of the uh-oh-it’s-Christmas-how-the-feck-did-that-happen posts, here’s some Rocky Road.

Marshmallows, coconut, Turkish delight, nuts cherries, chocolate… all these things are easy to find in the supermarket. And it’s a forgiving recipe, just swap out what you can’t eat or don’t want.

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