2013 Resolutions

I have been thinking a bit about New Year’s Resolutions for 2013, and I thought I would share them here since they are all food related! I also want to tell you about a few of the amazing cookbooks I received for Christmas!

Cookies and Christmas Cheer

A week ago, I began baking cookies for the Team in Training cookie auction and carried the momentum all the way through Christmas. 

I put together cute cookie tins as gifts for friends, coworkers, and family. In addition to the chocolate chip, world peace, and ginger cookies I made for the generous cookie auction winners, I baked up lemon sugar cookies, cinnadoodles, and chocolate Nutella cookies from Cookie Cravings, the beautiful cookbook from Two Peas and Their Pod. I also made Biscoff snickerdoodles, almond ice box cookies, frosted Christmas tree cutouts, and even banana nut bread and orange cranberry walnut bread. Needless to say, I ran out of butter multiple times, and barely had enough sugar left to sweeten the iced tea to serve on Christmas. I love giving homemade gifts and I always hope they are equally enjoyed by those I love! I didn't photograph a single recipe after finishing the ginger cookies, so I will share some of our Christmas decorations here instead!

Ginger Cookies

I originally made these cookies for my older sister on her birthday a couple of years ago. I discovered them on David Lebovitz’s website, and the recipe sounded great. I love a chewy cookie and these were loaded with spicy ground cinnamon and ginger, candied ginger, and even a little black pepper for extra spice. To top it all off, they are a nonfat treat! 

I love the idea of sandwiching a scoop of ice cream between two cookies. Of course, that would negate the nonfat aspect of these cookies, but a cute little ice cream sandwich would totally be worth it.