Our Favorite Cookies for Holiday Gifting

BY Genevieve Kavanugh

RECIPES ADAPTED FROM SMITTEN KITCHEN

Last year I baked. A lot. Breads, muffins, and I even tried my hand at homemade cinnamon rolls. I have always enjoyed baking since being a young kid or at least I enjoyed eating the raw batters.

Last year (after a year-long of taste testing my favorite cookie recipes), we wanted a way to spread cheer to our neighbors whom without knowing, made staying at home easier on us through socially distanced conversations and new friendships. So got ingredients purchased, cookies boxes ordered, I began to bake. 

Here are our top three cookies to share as an easy gift.

Our Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie

Everything about this cookie just beats out the traditional CCC. I swap brown sugar for Coconut Sugar, and believe me; you'll love this swap. Using a cookie scoop, I place them onto parchment paper and bake for 15 mins. SK does recommend 18 mins, however, I feel that 15 is the sweet spot for ooey-gooey with a bit of crunch that doesn't dry out over a couple of days.

The Browniest Cookie

Love cookies? Love brownies? Well, here you go. Again, I swap the brown sugar for coconut sugar - not for any health reasons because, let's be honest, sugar is sugar. We just had it when trying this recipe, and it works. Start these cookies first to cool in the fridge the longest. (Insider’s tip, mix half with this peanut butter cookie recipe for a PB brownie cookie….say way?)

Thick Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Except! Ditch the raisins. Don't even replace it with chocolate chips. My sister-in-law has a chocolate sensitivity, so I made these for her sans chips one day, and they were a hit with everyone. Once again, I replaced the brown sugar with coconut sugar, and boom.

Box up, or keep for yourself. Either way, enjoy.