Best Cookies & Candies for the Holidays

There are oodles of reasons to love the holiday season. The crackling fireplace, colorful lights, festive music, and incredibly delicious foods and snacks. They create an ambience and warm glow that sink us deep into the holiday spirit. Christmas is a time when many of us put our hearts into baking scrumptious treats for our family and guests, and cookies and candies are at the top of the list. They are by far some of the most consumed delights during the holiday season, so it’s time to get baking. Two cookbooks that will inspire you are 300 Best Homemade Candy Recipes and 100 Best Decorated Cookies. The holiday season couldn’t get any sweeter.

300 Best Homemade Candy

I always thought that making candy was for those professional pastry chefs who were well trained and skilled in this culinary art. But, with some practical advice and lots of tips, 300 Best Homemade Candy will walk you through the steps to making a plethora of irresistible treats like a pro for the holiday season. But before you start, you can check the Recipes by Skill Level at the back of the book. It’s divided into six different skill levels from Novice to Expert.

With over 300 recipes, you’ll have access to a treasure troves of mouthwatering candies, caramels, toffees, fudge, pralines, crèmes, chocolates, holiday treats, and no-bake cookies. There are lots of luscious images that will inspire you to get in the kitchen and make the recipe.

The book is divided into six sections. The first section is educating you on tools you’ll need along with lots of how-to photos. The other sections are Heirloom Candies, Make Mine Fudge, Designer Delights, Farmhouse Favorites and Short & Sweet. Each section has lots of decadent recipes.

There are plenty of heavenly choices for the holidays — Cherry Almond Bark, Brittles, Peppermint Taffy, Holiday Pineapple Candy, Popcorn candies, and some Luscious Raspberry Fudge Truffles. This candy cookbook is packed with everything you need to successfully make confections for the holidays or special occasions.

100 Best Decorated Cookies

Cookies are aplenty during the holiday season, and no cookie is left plain. Part of the fun in making and baking cookies for Christmas is decorating them. But, let’s be honest, most of us could use some guidance on creating appealing decorations on our delectable cookie-cutter treats. And 100 Best Decorated Cookies will help us do that with over 750 step-by-step photos. It’s a quality ringed binder cookbook with fantastic photos –  each step is shown in sequence.

This book is divided into two parts, Getting Started and Decorating Cookies. Just like any good cookbook, this one starts you off with a chapter on the equipment and ingredients you’ll need plus there are lots of tips, techniques and troubleshooting so you’ll master cookie decorating like a pro. From using a pastry bag to rolling/shaping cookies to advice on cookie sheets and rolling pins. The second chapter is filled with a few sugar cookie and icing recipes. These include diet restrictions – gluten-free and vegan options.

Part Two gets right into cookie decorating and is divided into several sections including, Seasonal Cookies, Cookies for Kids, and Party Cookies. Some kid’s cookies featured are zoo animals, farm animals, sports, and under the sea. Party Cookies include wedding reception, baby shower, Vive la France, girls night out, and more.

Although we are technically is Autumn still, I flipped right to the winter section and got lots of great ideas. There are eleven different holiday-inspired cookies that are decorated with a festive flair. Each step is explained with photos and written content so you can’t go wrong. Plus, there are tips, techniques, and variations offered on the side columns.

These two books will get you ready for the holidays with addictive treats and stunning decorations. They would also make great gift ideas for the bakers in your family or friends circle.

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