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December 17, 2013

Michelle Miles: Christmas Goodies

I love to bake, especially around Christmas. I like making special treats and then packaging them up and giving them away (much to the dismay of my husband – who loves the treats as much as I do. But hey, if I didn’t give them away, we’d be 300 pounds!). Anyway…this year I decided I was going to be proactive and start baking ahead of time. That way I wouldn’t kill myself the week before Christmas trying to get it all done.

I’d been reading up on how to freeze cookie dough and baked cookies. I had no idea it could be done. But I discovered that most cookie dough can be frozen for up to 3 months before baking. Cookie dough that freezes well: chocolate chip, sugar, peanut butter. I also have this recipe for chocolate crackle cookies. You have to refrigerate the dough for a certain amount of time before baking. I ran out of time that day and ended up freezing the dough. I made the cookies the following weekend then froze the cookies in Ziploc containers. You put wax paper between each layer and it’s wonderful and beautiful.



So far I’ve made about 6 dozen cookies. I also made these wonderful pecan cranberry tassies. Four dozen of them. They came out SUPER good. Since I made them ahead of time, I was able to freeze them too. Next I’m making sugar cookies and cranberry walnut oatmeal cookies. I’ll make those fresh, though, and then package them all up.

By the time I’m finished, I will have made about 12 dozen cookies plus the 4 dozen tassies. I’m also going to make and freeze mini New York Cheesecakes. This is an experiment as I’ve never tried it before. I found these mini graham cracker crusts, though, that I’m dying to try. I hope they come out. I’m going to get some strawberries and slice them to put on top. And yes, those will most likely be gifts too (don’t worry, honey, I’ll save you one).

I’ve found that baking and giving treats as gifts are always well-received. It’s a personal, thoughtful gift.

What about you? Do you enjoy giving (and getting) baked goods for Christmas?

16 comments:

Sylvia said...

Hi Michelle, Please include me in your Christmas baking gift list. Love love love it when friends give me something they've made. To me it's more personal than a store bought gift and it's a real act of love. I'm going to try freezing the cookie dough. That sounds like an excellent idea.

Denise said...

Love this and I love cookies! I'll have to try this and see how it goes. Thanks for sharing your story.

Denise
denisealicea.com
thepenmuse.net

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

I'm with Sylvia--I want the cranberry ones. I don't think you ever slow down, girl. Hugs.

Unknown said...

Although I love giving and sharing throughout the year, something about Christmas makes it more magical and leaves me with a wonderful feeling.
My daughter, granddaughter and I will bake this Sunday. Each year we give out round 20 plates of cookies, cakes and candies.
I also love to experiment in freezing foods. Family and friends call me the Freezer Queen!
Have a Merry Christmas!

Michelle Miles said...

You should give it a try! I was very pleased with the results :)

Michelle Miles said...

Hi Denise! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you try it. I thought it worked well!

Michelle Miles said...

They are hubby's favorite :)

Michelle Miles said...

Hi Rose! Merry Christmas and happy baking :)

Kathy Ivan said...

Any why wasn't a recipe included for the cranberry pecan tassies, I'm asking? LOL I love to bake and try to give out some home made goodies each year, although this year is looking like it might not get done (this dang cold just won't quit and has sapped all my energy).

Great post!

Michelle Miles said...

Kathy, I will happily share! I'll send it to you :) Feel better soon!!

Melissa Keir said...

Hi Michelle, I wish I had time to bake more. I was making white chocolate and cherry scones each weekend for my breakfast that week. They were so yummy! Then hubby complained about the amount of weight gain, so goodbye! I'd love to send my treats on to others. Learning how to freeze them would be great!

Unknown said...

I am exhausted just thinking about how much work this took! What a wonderful accomplishment to be able to give them away to friends. So thoughtful and personal.

I don't think I'm going to get any cookies baked this year. :(

I'm trying to bake a book instead. :)

Happy Christmas!

Barb Han said...

I used to bake and give cookies to favorite neighbors, but haven't for the past couple of Christmases. Luckily, we moved so no one around here realizes they're getting short changed. Ha! We bought cute plates the other day, so my new neighbors might get a little surprise this year. :-)

Phyllis said...

You are Sooo ambitious!

I'm not a baker. In fact, I barely cook.

I know all your family and friends just LOVE you this time of year!

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