It’s no secret that I love to bake.
Especially around the holidays!
Baking dozens upon dozens of Christmas cookies for family and friends was a tradition my mom and I started way back in once upon a time time when I was a child. Her friend Mary Kelly would join us and we would literally bake all-night-long.
Oatmeal fudgey bars, rum balls, Tollhouse cookies, Spritz cookies, jam dots, snickerdoodles- the list goes on and on. By the time we were done, we’d have enough cookies for my dad to take to work, my mom to share with her co-workers at school, and a plate for just about everyone else!
My mom loved the holidays, and I’ve carried on that enthusiasm in her absence by continuing these fun traditions that we started long ago. 
I started baking on Sunday, when we held our annual Christmas Cookie Swap for the families at the Ronald McDonald House in Tampa! 
We baked tons of cookies for the families staying at the house while their child receives medical care, and each family was gifted with a gorgeous plate of cookies- just like at a traditional cookie exchange. We also whipped up an Asian themed dinner, and brought home some cookies for our own families too! 
We even brought my mom’s spirit into the house by using her Kitchen Aid stand mixer that I brought over from my kitchen! 
Yesterday I tapped into my inner Mrs. Fields 😉 and started baking for my nearest and dearest, and will continue through the week. I baked a variety of cookies for Mr. Fields to take to work, and to share with family and friends. I made SO. MANY. COOKIES! Jam dots, blondies, cinnamon palmiers, oatmeal, rum balls, lemon crinkles, and savory sausage and cheddar balls! 
I also whipped up a variety of low carb, no sugar, keto friendly cookies that turned out to be SO delicious! Paleo blondies, cream cheese sugar cookies (with homemade colored Truvia), melt-in-your-mouth pecan snowballs, and iced sugar cookies (just like those iced cookies you buy in the grocery store!). 
Here are the links to all of the recipes listed above! With a few days left before Christmas, you still have plenty of time to make a batch of these for your loved ones!
Sugar Cookies (sprinkles and iced)
Pecan Snowball Cookies (keep in the fridge overnight for more of a traditional ball shaped cookie)
Paleo Blondie Bites (use Sukrin gold sweetener and Lily’s chips to keep these sugar free and keto friendly)
PS- If you’re local and want some cookies, message me! I have to-go boxes! 😉
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
xoxo Steph
