Because both our grandmother Mamcik and Great-Aunt Nela made this recipe (it also appears in Nela’s Cookbook, and I’ve copied her citrus topping here), it most likely came from the kitchen of their childhood home, Ilgovo, in Lithuania. I keep telling myself I should ask Nela’s children (along with whether they know what happened to four of their seven siblings who survived childhood – we … Continue reading Mazourka
Carla wheedled this recipe from a friend , who wheedled the recipe from an ex-boyfriend, who in turn wheedled the recipe from his grandmother, who made him promise not to share it with anyone ever. We say the statute of limitations has expired – enjoy for yourself. Continue reading Gingersnaps
Here are sugar cookies that are firm enough to hold a glaze, while still soft and tender inside. Not too-sweet or sickly-sweet, but fragrant with vanilla or almond or rum. There are never, ever, enough – they’re always eaten up too soon. These are the sugar cookies that put all other sugar cookies to shame. Continue reading Glazed Sugar Cookies
Laura got this recipe from a Scottish expatriate – and it is so much better than the packaged kind! Beat butter and sugar together until mixture resembles face cream. Add flour one cup at a time; beat well after each addition. Form shortbread into balls about the size of tennis balls. Pat balls out until they are about 7 inches in diameter. Prick shortbread all … Continue reading Scotch Shortbread
This is one of the recipes Laura makes every Christmas holiday season, mostly to give away as gifts. The filling is like pecan pie; the cream cheese dough is soft and luscious, and it’s difficult not to eat the whole batch before it’s packed up to give away. Cream together cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter and flour; chill dough for 1 hour or more. Shape … Continue reading Pecan Tassies
We found this recipe in a newspaper contest for holiday cookie recipes. Almost everyone loves these – coconut lovers, however, tend to swoon, speak in tongues, or grab the whole plate, refusing to share them with anyone Continue reading Coconut Drops
The Lebkuchen I recipe is probably closest to what Grammy actually made; there’s no question that her best versions contained almonds and a wee drop of spirits. Godiva chocolate liqueur works pretty well but doesn’t give quite the kick of the Jim Beam Granddaddy kept hidden under the kitchen sink Continue reading Two recipes for Lebkuchen
A vintage recipe from a beloved but long-lost neighborhood grocery and bakery Continue reading Wolferman’s Chocolate Drop Cookies
Good cookies don’t bake themselves. Here are some basic tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years Continue reading a gratuitous lecture about how to make great cookies
Around Our Table 