Crinkle Cookies, Decorating And More Stuff
I have no idea where time is going, it’s already the end of the week, Christmas is a week from today. I haven’t really done anything except make a few gift baskets, I still have so much to do, I am way behind schedule. Honestly, this year is very hard, I am trying, but my heart is not in it. I did sign up for Secret Santa/Wino on a wine blog I follow, The Drunken Cycalist and got a lovely gift. Jeff organzes this every year and this time I decided to participate. It was fun and I get to try some great wine. Thank you to Allison who sent me this wonderful gift. I have not opened the wine yet, waiting to make the right meal to pair with. That prickly pear jelly is so good, must find it.
Secret Santa gift, wine, sausage, candy, jelly
I have been baking, I made some gift baskets, have a few more to make, had our block association Holiday party and baked for that also. Last year I made fruit cakes and loved the recipe so I made them again this year, I really soaked them with the reserved cognac syrup. So delicious.
fruit cakes
Made some thumbprints, again same recipe as last year. They are delicious.
Chocolate thumbprint
I am adding some cookies to my holiday repertoire I mentioned the biscotti in a previous post along with Pecan Chewiess and Vanilice. I also decided to make chocolate crinkle cookies. I think they look so beautiful and I love anything chocolate. They turned out so good, it’s another recipe from Fida at Sweet and Savory Pursuits. The cookies are as light as a feather and so delicious, I have linked to the site so you can try the recipe, It’s wonderful. I also made my cardamom, orange and chocolate ribbon cookies.
Packing the cookies
Last but not least I started to decorate, I dragged multiple boxes of decorations upstairs and started unpacking and one of the first things I came across were Izzy and Nando’s Holiday Stockings. It made me so sad, I hung them on the mantle like I do every year. My sweet little dogs will always be with me in spirit.
decorated mantle.
I hope you all have a great weekend and get all of your holiday shopping, baking and decorating done. Are you the very definition of organization and efficiency? Have you done all of your shopping and decorating or do you make a mad rush to finish it all just in the knick of time?
apuginthekitchen 
Glad you hung Izzy and Nando’s stocking up on the mantle Suzanne! Baking looks yummy. Cheryl
Thanks Cheryl, they were a large part of my holiday I needed to do that.
Yes they were for many years!!!
Suzanne,
You must miss Izzy and Nando so much! It will be comforting for you to see their stockings hung up.
Your cookies and the fruitcake look amazing!Soaking them with the reserved cognac must keep them both moist and even more flavorful. Your baking has a professional finish to it! Everything you make looks awesome!
I do, yes I miss them terribly. Thank you so much, the fruitcakes are really wonderful. I am generallly not a fan of fruit cake especially the type with the candied fruit in them but these with dried fruit are wonderful. Thank you for the kind words.
Oh wow Suzanne – your cognac spiked fruit cakes sound fabulous! As do all those cookies! Izzy and Nando’s stockings look good up on your mantle!
Thanks seeing their stockings gives some comfort. The fruit cakes are pretty boozy, I give them a pretty good soaking and let them age for several weeks. Rich treat with a glass of egg nog. Thank you and Happy Holidays.
How very precious Suzanne, I love Izzy and Nando’s stockings up on the mantle piece, it must give you just a bit more comfort during these times. Your individual loaf fruit cakes are gorgeous. You know I’ve seen so many blogs with amazing recipes on their fruit cakes – it brought back a lot of memories for when I used to make them too. But now you’ve given me a great idea to perhaps bake them in individual loaf pans, I could probably freeze the rest to enjoy during the year. Off now to check out your recipe. Thanks and best wishes for the holiday season. Our girls are coming home from Brooklyn. 🙂
I tweak the recipe a bit Loretta, it does not call for soaking in the cognac syrup but I do. I soak the fruit overnight in cognac or bourbon and reserve the soaking liquid. When the fruit cakes come out of the oven I spoon some on and let them cool. Then I spoon on more and wrap in either plastic wrap or cheese cloth and put in an air tight tin. Every few days I spoon a little more reserved syrup on the cakes and let them sit at least a week. Thanks so much Loretta and I hope you have a wonderful holiday, so yood that the girls will be home.
It’s all lovely Suzanne… when I baked a large fruit cake (my mum’s recipe from England), I too used to feed the cake every few days till before Christmas. But I loved the idea of the individual loaf and the ingredients for a smaller version of the same cake. Thanks.
(Oh Suzanne… I cried with you about the stockings. You have more heart than I do. I still can’t look at a picture of my Aspen… Sending you sunshine super-hugs!)
What a wonderful prize/gift! Cab Sav is one of my favorites. I’m allowed at least a dozen favorites, right? 😀 And cognac syrup? Oooooooooo yum.
The cookies are gorgeous. For someone whose heart is not in it, you certainly are busy. Please don’t let it drain you. Remember to be good to *you*. Mega-joyous-sunny hugs my friend. 🙂
I am reminded of the pugs every day, there toys and beds and leads etc., I keep them in the same place they always were. I see their photo’s daily on my phone and computer. It is a bitter sweet reminder for me. Cooking and baking is theraputic for me so even though my heart hurts it helps go through the motions. Thanks Teagan, you are always a comfort to me.
Well Suzanne I have to say you are a lot further along then I am, I have been so so busy with work, I still have everything to do yet and I am not sure if I will get to it all. But I will make it all work out as I always do!! Merry Christmas Suzanne!!! Oh and if I get time I want to make your fruit cakes…yum!! 🙂
I am going to post the fruit cake recipe as I make it. I made some changes as I found flaws in the recipe. Oven temp, etc… Going to do that because I don’t want anyone making it and they are disappointed. Thank you Amy and Merry Christmas to you too!!
OK better still Suzanne, I just read your recipe…..the measurements are for 1 fruit cake in a loaf pan. OK, gonna make it :)…It might not be for Christmas, but coming up soon 🙂
I make mini loaves which is why you see 3 of them. I bake it at 325 not 350, and because I do the mini loaves the baking time is dramatically less. It’s a good recipe but I had to make some changes.
Great post. It is amazing how quickly Christmas has come. I’ve always said it should be in February, then we wouldn’t feel so rushed! My friend just lost her only child last week, and it’s been really tough to stay upbeat. It certainly changes your perspective on celebrations. But I’m trying. Sorry to tell you this, but I was done with everything a long time ago, except for baking, which I need to start! But I love Christmas. The carols are playing in October. I hope you have a lovely holiday season Suzanne! So sorry for your losses this year.
Mimi, I am so sorry to hear about your friends child. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. I totally agree, we need more time to prepare for Christmas after Thanksgiving, one month is just not enough. You are all done except for baking, good for you!!! You and your family have a wonderful holiday. Thank you so much.
The fruit cakes look amazing Suzanne.
Thanks so much. They are really good it’s a wonderful recipe.
My heart goes out to you Suzanne- I think it’s only right that you hung up their stockings. Our furry friends are a such a big part of our lives. Your cookie line-up looks quite impressive! I often find that baking is just what my heart needs when I’m feeling a little down. I’ve still got some more holiday baking to do before Christmas and I intend to buckle down this weekend 🙂
Me too Heather, I need to finish my baking. Have been doing in dribs and drabs and now is crunch time. Happy Holidays and thank you so much.
Have a wonderful week ahead dear. Your gift baskets are going to be loved by everyone.
Thank you so much and a very Happy Holiday to you!
Your fruitcake looks absolutely wonderful – I remember it from last year. Like you, I’m not usually a great fan but I thought these looked very tempting. I love Izzy and Nando’s stockings. I hope these holidays aren’t too sad for you. Hugo and Java send their love and think I’m very mean because I don’t have stockings for them!
They are really good fruitcakes, I am making another batch today. This time soaking in bourbon. I too love their stockings, every year I filled them with treats and toys. Oh no, Hugo and Java please don’t think she is mean, I am sure you will both get a wonderful Christmas treat!! Happy Holidays.
Oh my Suzanne, you made a lot!!! And everything is absolutely wonderful. These fruitcakes are to die for. I made my fruitcake in October, and it is resting in its dark spot soaked in booze until we are ready to celebrate, but I am most definitely going to give these a try, because one can never have enough of a good fruit cake. I know it’s been a tough year, have a wonderful holiday, all the very best and lots of love to you and your family.
I love your fruitcake, not only is it stunningly beautiful but it is also so delicious, Next year I will try your recipe. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and I know the food will be incredible, how could it not be. Love you and yours!!
Don’t feel guilty because of your current “state of mind”. Our furry friends are truly family members and a part of our hearts belong and will belong to them forever.
Everything looks yummy and festive. Truly wonderful. I love your pug stickers. So pretty!
Yesterday, I was in the City to attend a professional class and I thought it was pure madness in terms of people on the streets and Xmas shopping! 😉
Oh I stay away from the shopping area’s around the holidays. I love walking around the city and looking at the lights and decorations and the windows of the stores. It really is magical. Thank you for the kind words Francesca. I wish you and Stefano, The Queen and Sophia a very Happy and Delicious Christmas.
A beautiful, festive and warm post! I love the baking, the thumbprints are lovely and everything else! So sorry about your precious ones but glad you hung their stockings!! hugs! Again, such a warm and beautiful post that I will review several times! Lynn
Thank you so much Lynn, I am glad I hung their stockings also.
yes very nice! hugs
Perfect for Christmas post.. Yummy Cookies and amazing clicks
Thank you so much.
Wow Suzanne… Everything looks so good! I feel like eating everything right now lol. And I wish I would have signed up for that Santa thing (since I love wines too) thanks for sharing that info 😊
Oh you should, follow Jeff’s blog. He does this every year and you are guaranteed a great bottle of wine as a gift. Thanks so much.
Cool! Thank you so much!
I’m with you Suzanne! I have so much to do and it’s count down! I decided I was going to just put the computer away and catch up with my friends as I can. Fresh pasta is sitting for 45 more minutes. Your bakery is just beautiful as is your hearth. What a fun idea with the wine! I’ll have to start following this group.
I try to do some every day, today I made a batch of granola and bagged it. I bagged the cookies I made yesterday but then made some soup so I didn’t make the loaves I planned on making today and I am tired now. Tomorrow I will do it but clock is ticking and I have to get the packages to the post office, Ugh,,, Oh you should join our wine groups. It’s fun.
Didn’t realise you call them crinkle cookies. I know of them as crackle, because of Margot – let’s blame her for the name change. 🙂 Actually, maybe that’s what they’re called in Aus. And I was wondering which chocolate treats to make for myself. Yours look so perfectly sized! I’ll have to try using my new ice cream/cookie scoop to get them evenly sized like yours.
Hoping you get all done in time. 🙂
That’s what I used my cookie scoop. The dough is sticky and if you have got hands like me you have to keep rinsing in cold water. Love them they are lift as a feather and so delicious!!
Hi Suzanne, I loved seeing your mantle all decorated for Christmas. I am sorry it was so hard to see the stockings. You seem like you are handling everything in a positive way, allowing yourself to be sad, but still doing things to lift your spirits. You are a good example to others. All of your baked goods look so yummy! I would like to try the chocolate crinkles some time. I am not an organized person so Christmas is challenging in that way, but I am making progress, and I do love it. I have most of my baking done, though I keep thinking I need to make a batch of egg nog cookies just to make sure we have enough for sharing. Thank you so much for sharing part of your Christmas with us. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Thank you so much Shari, you have to try the crinkle cookies they are my new favorite. They are so light and chocolatey and so pretty. Have a great weekend and Happy Holidays!!🎄
Beautiful and nostalgic decorations. Not only your house is ready for the festivities but also with mouthwatering baking fragrance I’m sure. Merry Christmas dear Suzanne. Have Happiest of the Holiday Season! xx 🙂
Merry Christmas dear Fae and thank you so much. Wishing you a wonderful holiday!
Everything looks great, Suzanne! I have to make crinkle cookies this festive season too, I just hope they turn out looking as fantastic as yours 🙂
I have to say I am in love with those crinkle cookies. Not only are they delicious but they are so pretty!! Thank you so much.
Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine and commented:
I am not a fan of fruitcake but yours look very good I am sure the soak in Cognac Syrup and the dried fruit makes them really tasty. I have my decorating done, gift wrapping and cooking to do still.
I am not either Dyanna, a fan of fruitcake that is but this recipe is really good. I have made it for family and friends last year and they were not fans either until they tasted this one. Sounds like you are ahead of the game, good for you. I decorated my mantle but thats it so far. Thank you so much for the kind reblog.
Everything looks so good! The cookies look beautiful in the package. I’m so glad you find comfort in cooking and baking. Those kind of things are therapeutic for so many of us. Glad to hear you’re keeping up with your wonderful cooking. 🙂
Yes, being in the kitchen helps but being busy in general is good. Thank you so much I hope all is well with that beautiful baby. Happy Holidays!!
Time flies really crazy! Just a snap and it’s 2016! These cookies look so delicious, Suzanne! I have been craving for crinkles for some time now. 😀 Happy holidays!
I know right, can’t believe we are looking a new year in just a few weeks. Time really does fly. Love the crinkles. Thanks so much and Happy Holidays Jhuls.
Oh goodness, you’re well ahead of me, Suzanne! I’ve done practically nothing for Christmas! Never been this bad in the past! Too much to do this year! 😦 Love your cookies and fruit cake- I’m sure those will be well-received!
Hi Christina; You are quite the world traveller I have been following your trips. Hope you have a wonderful holiday and I am still thinking about your Zuppa Inglesse. It just looks so delicious.
Everything looks too beautiful ☺
Thank you so much Lina, Happy Holidays!!
To you too…unfortunatley I don’t have holidays and my semester exams will be going on..XD
I’m sorry, well I hope you do well on your exams and afterwards get some time to rest and relax.
You must miss them! The stockings must have been heartfully hung 🙂
I love that you package up your Christmas cookies and put on your adorable stickers 🙂
Thanks Linda, my heart broke again when I hung those stockings but I am glad I did. Thank you so much.
I had made hour chcolate thumbprint cookies last year and they were fabulous.
It’s still not too late and you are well on time! ❤️❤️
Loving those crinkle and striped cookies as well! I still have to work on my fruit cake :(.
Have a great season of holidays Suzanne! Your beautiful dogs are right there in spirit with you!!
Hugs!
Thanks Sonal, got quite a bit done today. Getting there, made a present for a good friend that I am seeing on Saturday, I hope you have accomplished a lot getting ready for the holiday, more than I have I am sure. Thank you for the kind comment about my pugs. They are and will be always with me.
Suzanne, you baked goods look fantastic. I know how you feel. You still have time and I hope that you have a wonderful holiday with your dogs being there in spirit. Let’s light a candle and celebrate. Warm hugs !
Thank you Gerlinde, yes I will light a candle and thank you for understanding. Sometimes I feel very badly because it’s so hard to rebound from this. I guess with time.
Such beautiful bakes ! I’m sure everyone is going to love them Suzanne 🙂 it must have been difficult to hang the stockings , but you sure do have some amazing memories associated with them 🙂 lotsa hugs 🙂
I have wonderful memories Freda, thank you so much and I appreciate your kindness.
I love their stockings, so precious ❤️ I’m all done, all ready to go 🙂 I’m annoying like that….!!
I wish I were you. Thank you so much. You are what I aspire to be.
Ha ha! That’s very kind 🙂
Suzanne, Your crinkle cookies are so beautiful, and I adore your stationery and stickers. Are you feeling festive? xox
Thanks Em, I love the pug stationary, cards and stickers that Azita designed for me. Everytime I place a sticker on package I think of my sweet Izzy and Nando. I am not feeling festive but am getting into the rhythm of the Holidays. Thank you so much.
Oh wow these cookies looks brilliant Suzanne…. perfect holiday treat…
Thank you so much Chitra!! They are really good!!
Suzanne, so glad you liked the surprise! Merry Christmas & happy New Year – Allison
OMG, Allison, thank you so much. I had no way of reaching you all I knew was your name. Thank you so much for the lovely gift. I really love it. I can’t wait to open the wine. I actually bought a steak that I will be having with the wine on Christmas Eve. Thank you!!
So sorry! I was so flustered after the whole ‘post office fiasco’ that I forgot to include any of my info. when I repackaged it. Fortunately I follow your lovely blog & got your post.
Thank you so so much. Oh the post office I am having anxiety just thinking about it. They have 2 people working here and the wait is over an hour to see a clerk. It’s so awful I can’t face going there. I loved my gift thank you so much!!
Beautiful to see your mantel all decked out Suzanne– with the sweet remembrance of Izzy and Nando. Praying you’ll have a Christmas full of unexpected blessings, at the time you are feeling such a loss. — and those fruitcakes! Saw the recipe on the next post. the look perfect. A sweet tender post Suzanne. thank you.
Thanks Rhonda. Happy Holidays and I wish you and your family the best in 2016!!
Izzy and Nando’s Christmas stockings are lovely. I know they will be with you in spirit this holiday.
Thanks so much Sharon a very Happy Hoiday to you, hubby, Bailey and Cody!!
I’m amazed by how many wonderful things you bake for Christmas, Suzanne. You’ve been so busy, but it all looks so worth it. Your cognac-soaked fruit cakes look delicious and I’ll bet they’re lovely and moist. And all those gorgeous cookies. Your family is heading for some fantastic treats. I love those holiday stockings, too.
Very busy, I am pretty tired. Still more to do but soon it will be but a memory. Thank you so much.
I didn’t know but so sorry for the loss of your 2 lovely dogs. Hugs! What a wonderful array of tasty & special cookies for Christmas! x
Yes Izzy last year in October and my Nando Aug. 1 this year. It has been a major blow for me and one I am having a hard time coping with. Thanks so much.
xx Christmas hugs to you! xxx
I love your site and your wonderful recipes. Happy Holidays!
Very sweet, thank you so much and Happy Holidays to you as well.
Izzy and Nando will always be with you. ❤ ❤ ❤
Yes they will. Thank you!!