Whatcha Got Cookin'?

It's clear from the photo what I'm about today:

My favorite part of the holiday--Christmas baking. I associate holiday baking with my childhood, my boys' childhood (though the days of decorating gingerbread boys have long gone), and most significantly, time spent in my grandmothers' kitchens. Each year I looked forward to Mema C's spritz cookies and Mema G's sesame biscotti, so I shouldn't wonder that my own sons have their own favorites from my kitchen. Magic bars--a cookie so easy and sugar laden that it comes with its own Eagle brand of guilt--are a must, for example:

That's some sweetened condensed paradise right there.

The other cookie we can't do without are Italian ricotta cookies flavored with anise.Tender little pillows that aren't biscotti, they're soft and sweet. These cookies are featured in The Wedding Soup Murder, which will also include the recipe. The secret is the anise; that gorgeous licorice smell permeates the house when I make these. (Bet you can't eat just one.)

 But what I enjoy most is giving the cookies away. Actually, that's a lie. What I enjoy most is eating them.

Have a wonderful holiday and the happiest of New Years!

 ♥ ♥ ♥