I absolutely love the holiday season. There is an electricity in the air that is almost tangible. The holiday spirit takes each person to a place they might not normally live in their every day lives. For me, and many others, it takes me to the kitchen. Being one that rarely (if ever) bakes during the rest of the year, I excitedly pull out my apron, and get started on traditional treats of the season.
Usually I bake a pie or make some rice crispy treats but this year I really want to try something completely different and out of my comfort zone.
Which is why I chose Holiday Cookies by Elisabet der Nederlanden. Let me start my saying that this book is absolutely stunning! The photos are gorgeous, yet the treats look like something that could be attained by anyone that attempts them. The author talks you through everything throughout the entire book which is extremely helpful for one whose knowledge is lacking and she has a very down-to-earth language. It has a "friend's swapping recipes" feel to me, especially when you read through the Cookie Tips & Tricks at the beginning of the book.
The "Very Merry Classics" chapter is pretty much the cookies that you'll see every holiday season but then there's the "Around the World" chapter which has cookies I've never even heard. Many of the recipes look and sound delicious and have piqued my curiosity. I also love the chapter entitled "Cookie Exchange Party" which are cookies that are easily massed produced for any of your holiday gatherings. The way the entire book is organized makes it easy to find what you're looking for.
While skimming the recipes I did notice a few ingredients that I've never heard of before and I'm not sure how hard they will be to find if I attempt that particular cookie which could prove problematic. I also have yet to try any of the actual recipes yet so I can't tell you how my results were just yet but I have several bookmarked and hope to bake them in the coming weeks.
I can't tell you if this book is good for the cookie novice but for a cookie newbie it is amazing! Highly recommend!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Ten Speed Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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