Cookies

Chocolate Orange Macarons

These definitely require some practice to get right, but you’ll be so proud to serve these rich, dark, pretty little French cookies. People like to make macarons in every color of the rainbow, and they’re certainly pretty, but I think chocolate is the best flavor by far — that bitter edge saves the cookie from being insipidly sweet.

Five-Spice Ginger Snaps

These are miles away from the comforting, homey ginger snap — spicy, chewy and almost exotically aromatic, these are an annual favorite on my Christmas cookie trays.

Grandma’s Sugar Cookies

This recipe comes to me from my grandmother via my aunt. It produces a cakey, tender cookie with a lovely lemon scent. The shortening is critical to the proper texture of the cookie — you could replace some, but not all, with butter for flavor.

Linzer Cookies

These pretty little tarts make a great centerpiece for a plate of Christmas cookies. The tender cookie is buttery and rich with hazelnuts, and the richness is nicely offset by a filling of tart raspberry jam.

Mom’s Coffee Bars

Something my mom used to make; I think the recipe came from my grandmother. Simple and tasty.

Navettes Sucrées

This is an odd old recipe. The cookies have a shaggy, crunchy exterior and sweet, cake-like crumb. They’re easy to make, and are sure to become a favorite.

Viennese Crescent Cookies

This lovely old recipe produces delicate little cookies, so handle them carefully. They’re crumbly, buttery and sweet with a soft note of vanilla. They’re fantastic with coffee.