25 Days of Christmas Cookies

Dec. 1, 2012 — -- intro: These cookies are perfect to give as gifts or to enjoy and eat. We've included several gluten-free and healthy recipes that your guests can enjoy without the guilt. Whether you love chocolate or vanilla, peanuts or cashews, there is something here that everyone will love. Make them for your holiday table, cookie exchange, or to give as gifts to family.

quicklist:1category: title: Chai-Kissed Chocodoodlesurl: 12334786text: You have to try this spicy chocolate cookie. Ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and all spice add flavor and fun to an otherwise ordinary cookie. Form the dough into balls and roll them in the chai spice sugar mixture.media:15065897 related:

quicklist:2category: title: CookieBar's World Peace Cookiesurl: 14713255text: A chocolate lover's delight, these world peace cookies are the answer to your chocolate prayers. Delicious, crunchy, and with a hint of salt, they're the perfect sweet and salty combination.media: 14716497related:

quicklist:3category: title: Christina Tosi's Blueberry and Cream Cookiesurl: 14834646text: Imagine if your favorite blueberry muffin took the form of a chewy, blueberry-filled cookie. If you're already starting to drool, you must try this recipe. Pastry chef Christina Tosi's baking technique is important: cream the sugar and butter for 3 minutes, and then add the eggs and mix for 7 minutes. This mixing is important in strengthening the bond in your cookies, as well as creating the most magnificent cookie you've ever eaten.media:14834041related:

quicklist:4category: title: Rocco DiSpirito's Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookiesurl: 13202547text: If you're trying to avoid gaining the holiday pounds, but don't want to miss out on the cookie baking, this recipe's for you. Rocco DiSpirito created the ultimate cookie combination with peanut butter and chocolate, for only 55 calories a cookie. Pop these indulgent cookies into your mouth guilt-free.media: 15057339 related:

quicklist:5category: title: Carla Hall's Pumpkin Spice Linzer Cookiesurl: 14581572text: These traditional linzer cookies get an update with hearty pumpkin. Flavored with spices like ginger, cinnamon, and clove, they're guaranteed to satisfy the pumpkin pie addict in your family.media:14589836related:

quicklist:6category: title: Amy Green's Gluten-Free Fig and Date Barsurl: 13793357text: These gluten-free fig and date bars taste just like Fig Newtons. (And they don't have sugar!) The cookies hold well - we love how we can make these cookies and freeze them for later.media:15057389 related:

quicklist:7category: title: Gourmet's Irish Coffee Crunchiesurl: 7288165text: Whiskey, coffee and heavy cream give these ordinary oatmeal cookies some life. These adults-only cookies will disappear off of your holiday table.media:15063724 related:

quicklist:8category: title: Dr. Howard Shapiro's Peanut Butter Cookiesurl: 12587034text: You'd never guess it, but these cookies are packed with protein! Made with protein powder and sugar substitute, you can pass these over to the kids without the guilt. The addition of chopped nuts give these cookies a nice crunch.media: 15063808 related:

quicklist:9category: title: Amy Green's Gluten-Free Spritz Cookiesurl: 15058150text: Fun and festive, your guests will never know these cookies are gluten-free and sugar-free. The bright colors will bring a bit of cheer to any cookie plate.media: 15057927 related:

quicklist:10category: title: Sandra Lee's Checkerboard Cookiesurl: 9390007text: We love the look of checkerboard cookies but hate the extra work. These cookies use store-bought cookie dough to create the look of a checkerboard cookie, without all of the hassle. Chocolate chips sprinkled on the dough add a festive touch.media:15063820 related:

quicklist:11category: title: Lidia's Simple Sugar Cookiesurl: 12459392text: This simple recipe is a holiday staple for many families. Cut the dough into these adorable wreath shapes with two circular cutters, and sprinkle with green or red sanding sugar.media: 15065823 related:

quicklist:12category: title: Amy Green's Gluten-Free No Bake Crunchy Chocolate Peanut Butter Barsurl: 15057975text: These simple no-bake bars are sugar-free and gluten-free. Wrap them up in festive ribbon and give them as a holiday gift!media:15057576related:

quicklist:13category: title: Tarina's Double Chocolate Drizzled Hazelnut Cookiesurl: 12341293text: Ground hazelnuts give this cookie dough amazing nutty flavor. Place the cooled cookies onto wax paper and drizzle melted white and dark chocolate on top.media:15066064 related:

quicklist:14category: title: Gingerbread Boys and Girlsurl: 15063798 text: These easy gluten-free cookies are a spicy and sweet Christmas tradition. Keep the dough cold, and dust the table with rice flour for an easy way to roll and stamp your cookies. If they last that long, the cookies can be stored in a closed container for up to a week.media: 15063798 related:

quicklist:15category: title: Sandra Lee's Peppermint Barsurl: 12330913text: These pretty peppermint bars are almost too pretty to eat. Made with premade cookie dough, peppermint candies, marshmallows, and white chocolate, these simple bars are easy to make and delicious to eat. They only take 30 minutes to prepare and bake, but your friends will think you spent hours in the kitchen!media: 15063842 related:

quicklist:16category: title: Chocolate Star Cookiesurl: 12459290text: While these cookies are delicious, they also function as beautiful tree ornaments. Decorated with icing and sprinkles, they're a sweet holiday gift.media: 15065834 related:

quicklist:17category: title: Amy Green's Gluten-Free Pistachio Cranberry Biscottiurl: 15058381text: These are one of the easiest gluten-free cookies to make. We love the little flecks of red cranberries and green pistachios scattered throughout the cookie.media: 15057839 related:

quicklist:18category: title: Dan Harris' Chocolate-Dipped Pecan Shortbread Logsurl: 12353965text: This is Dan Harris' secret family recipe. The crunchy pecan log shortbread cookies are dipped in chocolate and shortening, and then set down to cool. Watch them disappear!media: 15066074 related:

quicklist:19category: title: Kicked-Up Snickerdoodlesurl: 9242172text: Do you like your cookies with spice? The unexpected addition of cayenne pepper gives these cookies a healthy dose of heat.media: 15066084 related:

quicklist:20category: title: Sandra Lee's Peanut Butter Kiss Cookiesurl: 9390006text: These cute little cookies are made in mini cupcake tins. The store-bought cookie dough is swirled with peanut butter, but if you prefer, you can replace it with your favorite sugar cookie recipe. The chocolate kisses are added after the cookies are baked and completely cooled.media:15063830 related:

quicklist:21category: title: Lauren Brennan's Brownie Cheesecake Peppermint Barsurl: 12322837text: These brownies, topped with crushed peppermint, add a festive touch to your holiday table. Try Lauren Brennan's tip and score the white chocolate before refrigerating in order to prevent cracking.media:15065874 related:

quicklist:22category: title: Amy Green's Gluten-Free Chocolate Mint Browniesurl: 15058536text: These sugar-free and gluten-free brownies taste like a peppermint patty. Guilt-free, they're the perfect holiday treat everyone will love.media: 15057677 related:

quicklist:23category: title: Beth Leonard's Reverse Chocolate Chip Cookiesurl: 15066924text: The combination of white chocolate chips and nuts makes this decadent cookie a big hit. The slight addition of ground coriander gives these cookies unexpected flavor. media: 15067250 related:

quicklist:24category: title: Carmine Arroyo's Ginger Cookieurl: 15067187text: The addition of molasses gives these cookies a depth of flavor. Make sure you chill them for at least an hour before baking.media: 15067349 related:

quicklist:25category: title: Beth Leonard's Crunchy Peanut Butter Cookiesurl: 15067068text: The unexpected twist of oats and chocolate give these traditional cookies an update. The oats in the cookie create a delicious hearty combination.media: 15067378 related: