Saturday was our annual family holiday open house. It's a very casual gathering of friends and family where one can get a cookie or three or ten and a cup of hot spiced cider. It's something I start planning for after Halloween. First I go through my recipes and decide what I want to bake and make a list. After the list is made I check my baking supplies and make another list of what I need to buy. If the list is long I make my purchases over a couple grocery shopping outings, so it's not such a strain on the budget. The baking begins before Thanksgiving and continues until just before the party. This year I ran out of freezer space so I made rice krispie treats and pumpkin bars the night before the party.
I try to bake one new thing every year. This year I baked four (!) new recipes.
The best Christmas cookie ever! These were a huge hit!
Cheesecake squares (This was Dancing Daughters pick)
Fancy Date Ball - While these look really yummy I didn't like them that much and there were a lot left over.
Heath Bar Bit Snickerdoodles - Wow were these ever yummy!
All the new cookies I made were hits, except the date balls. Last years new recipe was chocolate mint cookies that everyone loved! This year I made some with Mint M&Ms on top, they all went really fast!
I also served hummus, crackers, veggie tray, chips and salsa, salmon ball (which I made), and cheesy bacon onion biscuits (that I also made)... No one went home hungry that's for sure!
Tomorrow, the people of the party!
You can see Monochrome Monday here.
I want the snickerdoodle recipe!!!!
Posted by: Mental P Mama | December 14, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Wow! Those Best Christmas Cookies Ever look good!
Posted by: Asthmagirl | December 14, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Wow! I believe I just gained 7 pounds just looking at the yummy stuff! Looks like a great time with great food!
Posted by: Lisa | December 14, 2009 at 09:54 AM
Are those Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding cakes witht he ground walnuts and the butter and the powdered sugar? I love those things!
MY cookie du jour is the Almond Crescent. J calls them Moon Cookies. They're delicious!
Posted by: Meg B | December 14, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Yummo! I haven't done any baking yet. Too much going on!
Posted by: Tracey | December 14, 2009 at 12:37 PM
they all look delish!! looks like fun too...jj
Posted by: joanne | December 14, 2009 at 10:57 PM
since i've been off line for a while, you went and changed your blog!!! totally threw me off guard!!
the food looks to die for!
Posted by: deb | December 15, 2009 at 06:13 PM