I cooked up this idea of the Virtual Goody Plate in the summer, and thought it would be no problem to get 31 goodies baked and written up in time, so I started making some old favorites and finding a few recipes in books and online. I was way ahead in the fall!
But I didn't account for all the holiday cookie magazines that would start showing up on the racks in November and December. Each one I looked at had at least 5 to 10 I wanted to try, and the math was overwhelming. So I made a list and checked it twice, and reprioritized, and went back and forth on a few. For the last 6 weeks or so I have been making 3 to 4 different cookies a week. Some good ones didn't make the cut, mostly for variety's sake, and some were so good I made them more than once. I don't know what I'll do with all my spare time now. Maybe I'll actually get back to losing weight!
Ed and Mom and I tried all of them and came up with our Top 5 lists. I found it amazing that we had no overlap - just goes to show how good all the cookies were!
Kari's Top 5
Chocolate Marshmallow Meltaways
Chocolate Peanut Blow-Out Cookies
Chocolate Turtle Cookies
Chocolate Chewies
Turtle Candies
Ed's Top 5
Black and Brown Chocolate Chip Cookies
Hazelnut Chewies
Cranberry-Orange Pinwheels
Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
Kari-Can't-Stop-Eating-This Bark (and now neither can Ed)
Mom's Top 5
Peppermint Bonbon Cookies
Lemony Bonbons
Buried Cherry Cookies
Brownie Waffle Cookies
Citrus-Drizzled Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Bonus ('cuz she can't pick just 5): Raspberry Almond Cookies
So, OK, the month is over, the year is over, the VGP is over. But I figured I've got all these recipes with all my notes and all the pictures - why not make a book so they're all in one place next time I want to make them? Plus I could toss in the other few that were really good but didn't get a VGP appearance, like Cocoa Fudge Cookies and Maple Walnut Spice Cookies. Dave even flattered me by saying he would give it as gifts to friends. So I checked out a couple cookbook-making sites and found Blurb had the best quality and lowest price. I've already ordered my copy of Disco Mom Takes on Christmas Cookies, and now you can, too.
I don't make a profit because then I'd have to get copyright permission and everything, but if you want to order it at cost click here. It is $24.95 for softcover, $35.95 for hardcover with dust jacket, and $37.95 for hardcover image wrap. It is 78 pages with 36 recipes and pictures. And I'm just a little proud of it.It's my final goody...from me to you. Happy New Year!
You are so talented! I loved the cookies you made for Enrichment. I had to laugh at the chocolate chip cookie part. It's true, I guess nothing is better than a good chocolate chip cookie, except for maybe the uncooked dough :)
ReplyDeleteI also had to laugh at the horse head dirk post. I loved the pics. Why not cute the tags and ribbon with the "Dirk". It's funny how things become a tradition. You guys are awesome! Happy New Year!
Hooray for Disco Mom!!you simply are talented..cryphi
ReplyDeletehahaha...sorry i didn't notice that i typed the word verification in my comment!
ReplyDeleteI've ordered 3 copies! One to keep and 2 as future gifties!
ReplyDeleteholy smokes do you rock! this is NOT helping me get healthier!
ReplyDeleteYou are AMAZING! I always love reading your blog, but have especially loved the month of December! We have enjoyed the delicious results of all your hard work! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletelove this! can't wait to order mine. such a good idea.
ReplyDeleteNot only did all the cookies sound amazing you are also a great photographer. You made them look as wonderful as they sound - and I know that is not easy, it takes talent. I love that you put this book together. I like your brother Dave's idea. I may have to order a couple extra for gifts. Is "blurb" the sight that you can make a book of your blog as well?? What site did you find that you liked for that??? I don't blog very often so I can put two years together but I want to do that and save what I have done so far.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a real pleasure to read through the VGP recipes, not to mention admiring the photos attached to them. Thanks for your hard work! It's great to know someone so gifted in the kitchen. Baking is definitely a talent I hope to discover one day, of course, after I've mastered the will to stop at one or two cookies.
ReplyDeleteKari--I am excited to get a couple of your books--what great gifts? How long will it be avaiable? I am a little low on cash now, but don't want to miss out.
ReplyDeleteEmily - they are available indefinitely in the Blurb bookstore unless I ever remove them but I won't so you have forever. Yes, that post-Christmas cash shortage is annoying; I can relate.
ReplyDelete