Christmas Cookie Classics

In addition to the cherished Christmas cookies on page 6, these tasty treats rank high in Taste of Home’s all-time favorite recipes.

Gingerbread Snowflakes
PREP: 30 min. + chilling BAKE: 10 min./batch
"Cutting my favorite gingerbread cookie dough into snowflake shapes and decorating them with white icing was ideal for my theme get-together," says Shelly Rynearson of Dousman, Wisconsin. "I save these crunchy treats to enjoy on the way home from our Christmas tree outing."

Sugared Raisin Pear Diamonds
PREP: 40 min. + cooling BAKE: 30 min. + cooling
With their tender golden crust and tempting pear and raisin filling, these fabulous bars stand out on any buffet table. "Substitute apples for the pears, and you’ll still get yummy results," says Jeanne Allen of Rye, Colorado.

Almond Icebox Cookies
PREP: 20 min. + chilling BAKE: 10 min.
"With a roll of this cookie dough on hand, I can serve freshly-baked cookies in a snap," says Elizabeth Montgomery of Taylorville, Illinois.

Chocolate Pecan Thumbprints
PREP: 15 min. + chilling BAKE: 20 min. + cooling
"Every Christmas for over 30 years, I have rolled, cut, shaped and baked batches of cookies for family and friends," notes Jim Ries from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "These melt-in-your-mouth morsels with a dollop of chocolate in the center are among my favorites."

Cream Cheese Finger Cookies
PREP/TOTAL TIME: 30 min.
Says Jeanne Voss of Anaheim Hills, California, "These cookies are one of my mom’s specialties. Made with cream cheese and butter, they’re very rich...and the pecans add wonderful flavor. They’re great with hot cup of coffee or a tall glass of milk."

Rosettes
PREP: 20 min. COOK: 30 min.
"I like to dip the edges of these traditional favorites in icing to define their lacy pattern," says field editor Iola Egle of McCook, Nebraska.