Holiday Vittles

My family never had many traditions around holiday fare – or maybe I was just too blinded by the greed of gift-getting to notice. There was the time that I decided to make 10 different kinds of truffles to give as gifts, but that was not a tradition worth repeating by my tired, grumpy self. However, I can totally get behind (other) people whipping themselves into a cookie-baking, booze-mixing, hors d'oeuvres munching frenzy and I am here to enable you to do just that with a collection of snacks, treats and libations from this very site.

Triple Ginger Molasses Cookies, three ways

Why not start things off right with a glass of creamy Eggnog?It's perfumed with sweet vanilla bean and peppery nutmeg, and (optionally) (very) boozy.

If you're looking for something to warm you to your toes, add a shot of rum or whisky to a steaming mug of Masala Chai (a favorite of ours lately).

Get your guests hooked on Herbed Cheese Straws (a.k.a Crack Sticks)

and Lentil Walnut Pâté.

Consider ending a festive meal with Persimmon Puddings,

Cranberry Pear Upside-Down Gingerbread,

Smoked Porter Chocolate Cake

or Sticky Date Pudding.

A mason jar filled with homemade granola would make a welcome gift; choose from Maple Almond,

Chocolate,

or Honey Cardamom.

Give new meaning to the term 'fruit cake' and spread cheer in the form of Tangerine Olive Oil Pound Cakes instead.

Wow anyone on your gift list with a box of Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut Bars

or Buttercrunch Toffee.

Sticky Pumpkin Cinnamon Buns, made with Pumpkin Challah dough, are a luxurious way to start both Chanukah and Christmas mornings.

As for cookies, some of my favorites include:
Rosemary Pine Nut Biscotti

Maple Bacon Sugar Cookies

Cardamom Snickerdoodles

and Triple Chocolate Chile Cookies

For more cookies (even some gluten-free/vegan ones) see the recipe index (which was designed by Genius Jay, and is the second nicest gift anyone's ever given me).

Happy Holidays!

Want more Holiday Recipes?

• Thanksgiving Round-Up, 2011