Nothing says "Happy Holidays" quite like a five day baking fest. I admit...maybe I got a bit carried away. This post doesn't even contain the full extent of my cookie baking madness. I made 4 types of cookies and peppermint bark, and I have plans to make a cheesecake (post to follow) for actual Christmas. This is just my pre-Christmas baking! Brace yourself for a sugar overload. 
Up next were Spritz cookies. A simple butter cookie recipe designed for a cookie press. I left the recipe back home, but if anyone really wants it I can have it sent to me. They're very basic, but always a crowd pleaser. I made these white wreathes and green christmas trees (not pictured) and decorated them with colored sugars. 
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup finely ground husked toasted hazelnuts (about 2 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces high-quality milk chocolate (such as Lindt or Perugina), chopped
- 1/3 cup coarsely chopped husked toasted hazelnuts
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 325°F. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl until smooth. Beat in 1/2 cup finely ground hazelnuts and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture until just combined.
Shape dough by tablespoonfuls into 3-inch-long logs. Place on prepared baking sheet, spacing 1 inch apart. Bake cookies until light golden brown around edges, about 20 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool cookies completely.
Stir milk chocolate in top of double boiler over barely simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove from over water. Place 1/3 cup coarsely chopped hazelnuts in small bowl. Dip 1 end of cookie into melted chocolate, then into coarsely chopped hazelnuts. Return to rack. Repeat with remaining cookies. Let stand until chocolate is set, about 1 hour. (Cookies can be made 2 days ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.)
- 6 oz sliced blanched almonds (not slivered; 2 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
- 3 large egg whites
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Red or pink food coloring
For chocolate raspberry ganache
- 3 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (60 to 64% cacao), finely chopped
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 1/16 teaspoon raspberry extract (preferably McCormick brand)
- Special equipment: parchment paper; a gallon-size sealable plastic bag (not pleated)
Pulse almonds with 1/2 cup confectioners sugar in a food processor until very finely ground, 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a bowl. Sift in remaining cup confectioners sugar, stirring to combine.
Beat egg whites with salt in another bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until they just hold soft peaks. Add granulated sugar, a little at a time, beating, then increase speed to high and continue to beat until whites just hold stiff, glossy peaks. Add drops of food coloring to reach desired shade and mix at low speed until evenly combined. Stir almond mixture into meringue with a rubber spatula until completely incorporated. (Meringue will deflate.)
Spoon batter into bag, pressing out excess air, and snip off 1 corner of plastic bag to create a 1/4-inch opening. Twist bag firmly just above batter, then pipe peaked mounds of batter (the size of a chocolate kiss) onto lined sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart. Let cookies stand, uncovered, at room temperature until tops are no longer sticky and a light crust forms, 20 to 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 300°F.
Bake cookies, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until crisp and edges are just slightly darker, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely on sheets on racks, about 30 minutes.
