Baking with Grandmom
I have especially fond memories of baking cookies during Christmastime with my grandmom and cousins. The kitchen was an elaborate, sugary mess—my mom would always add “Mama Z’s Peanut Butter Balls” to the massive spread, and Grandmom never minded how many red hots or sprinkles ended up on the cookies. Of course, she would gently help us learn to decorate more edible cookies, but no matter their final presentation, we happily enjoyed sharing cookie plates with family, neighbors, and friends (and of course we saved some for Santa).
Because Grandmom prefers her cookies well-done, as adults, we relieved her of oven-monitoring duties. When I had children, we added to our group of cookie baking and the messiness returned. And of course, more fun. Now a proud great-grandmother, she continues the same beloved cookie-baking tradition with my children. It is so sweet to watch her immerse herself in the process, gifting us special, quality time with her and bringing the joy of yummy cookies to others!
The cookie lineup
The following is a list of the many recipes we make together. There are so many to choose from! Enjoy! I’m preaching to the choir here, but I have to say to please not forget to enjoy the process more than a list of things to do. I have been nicknamed “JJ,” which stands for junior Janet, my grandmom’s name. I learned from her to make lists and get things done. While Janet and Junior Janet are certainly capable of producing many delicious treats together, the emphasis should always be on the far more valuable experience of family cookie baking and giving to others during the Christmas season.
- Mama Z’s Peanut Butter Balls
- Copycat of the Girl Scout’s Peanut Butter Patties
- Peanut Blossoms
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Browned Butter Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
- White Chocolate and Fresh Cranberry Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Super Soft and Frosted Sugar cookies
- I use this recipe with my cream cheese frosting
- Soft gingerbread cookies
- Saltine cracker treats
- Peanut butter cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Rice krispy treats
- Peppermint bark
- Peppermint Bark Fudge
- Creamy Chocolate Fudge
- Pretzels dipped in melted chocolates
Related Recipes: Don’t forget to check out my other Christmas recipes!
