Christmas Cookie-palooza: Hazel’s vanilla bean cookies.

The first recipe in my Christmas Cookie-palooza comes from my great-grandmother’s recipe box and was given to her by her daughter Hazel (my Grandma Dorothy’s sister). They’re pretty enough to feel special but not fussy, and they’re super easy to make ahead. Get the recipe for Hazel’s Vanilla Bean Cookies!

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Christmas cookie inspiration.

Ready to start your Christmas cookie baking? Here’s a gallery of my favorite cookie recipes from Christmases past: fancy and simple, chocolatey and buttery, classic and new. Check out these Christmas cookie recipes and get baking!

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old-fashioned Spritz butter cookie recipe | writes4food.com

Getting ready for Christmas baking.

OK, whew! Thanksgiving is behind us, so we can get down to the REAL holiday cooking: Baking Christmas cookies! Get all my tips on preparing for your holiday baking here, then stay tuned throughout December for great Christmas cookie recipes, old and new! Get the baking tips!

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Easy nibbles for pre-Thanksgiving dinner.

If your family is like mine, there’s this whole pre-dinner thing that happens before we even sit down at the Thanksgiving table. Here’s an array of great holiday appetizer recipes to keep your guests happily snacking while the turkey roasts (and roasts … and roasts). Get the recipes!

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Best Thanksgiving side dishes.

Whether you’re planning a full Thanksgiving menu or you’ve been asked to bring something to the table, here are some tasty Thanksgiving side dish recipes that will shake things up this year. I’m thinking fresh flavors, fall vegetables and healthier options that taste great and impress your family! Get my best Thanksgiving side dish recipes!

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recipe for sea salt chocolate chunk bar cookies

Sea salt chocolate chunk bar cookies.

Do you really need another chocolate chip cookie recipe? Yes, you do. You need this one: an easy-to-make pan cookie with a crisp shortbread base, boulders of semisweet chocolate and a dusting of sea salt.

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Clean-out-the-larder minestrone.

I call this ‘clean-out-the-larder’ minestrone, because you can make it with whatever leftover or not-enough-for-a-meal vegetables, fresh or frozen, that you have on hand. Dump everything in a pot, simmer, and voila! Soup! Get the recipe (plus 2 secrets for excellent soup).

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Chai spiced biscotti.

After some not-so-successful tries at biscotti, I found a basic recipe and technique that works beautifully (thanks, King Arthur Flour!). Then I created a biscotti recipe that’s perfect for fall, with warm chai spices. Get the recipe!

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