Cherry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Cherry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies are just the ticket if you're looking to jazz up traditional oatmeal raisin for Christmas. The cherries add that chewiness that oatmeal raisin-lovers crave, while the chocolate chips make these irresistible to chocolate chip cookie lovers. 

Cherries feel more festive than raisins and make these extra special for the holidays and cookie boxes for friends and neighbors. Look for tart dried cherries if you can find them. (Be sure to save a few cookies for yourself. It's essential for the baker to TEST the cookies before giving. Right? Right?)

Recipes and Tips for Christmas Cookie Decorating

C is for Christmas Cookies!!! I'm kicking off the week with recipes and tips for Christmas cookie decorating! Maybe you're new here. Maybe you've been inspired by decorated cookies you've seen on Pinterest but are feeling a little intimidated. Maybe you're an old pro looking for a new recipe to try. I'm here for ya! 

Buckle in, babies. I'm going to hit you with a lot of cookie decorating info!

My first and most important tip: Cookies are not meant to be perfect; they're meant to be EATEN. 

Do not, I repeat, do NOT stress about what you as the baker might view as imperfections. Here's the reaction every recipient of your cookies will have, "Oh! These are the CUTEST cookies!" I promise. This is my guarantee. Do not be intimidated by cookies you see that are made by people (and I love them and they're dear friends) who make cookies for a living, decorate 100s of cookies a week, and might achieve their results with the help of a projector. 

Ok? Ok. 

Sweet on Trader Joe's: Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger

Our Trader Joe's review this round is of TJ's Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger. It's no secret that I'm a fan of crystallized ginger - find it in these recipes: chocolate ginger cookies, pecan streusel sweet potato casserole, ginger carrot bread, and ginger ale bundt cake. Yep, I love it. 

Trader Joe's Chocolate Covered Ginger is little nuggets of crystallized ginger enrobed with dark chocolate. Simple. They come in a 12-ounce tub and cost $4.49.

Graham Cracker Pie Crust

It's Thanksgiving Week - also known as PIE WEEK. If you aren't making a flaky, buttery pie crust, or buying one at the store, you'll need to know how to make a graham cracker pie crust. 

Oh, and if you're looking for a delicious pie to make...might I suggest starting here? 

Let's make a graham cracker pie crust! 

Calico Corn Cookies

Calico Corn Cookies...can we just agree that Calico Corn is the BEST corn? It's beautiful, and it doesn't get stuck in your teeth. I'm a fan. 

*this post is sponsored by my friends at Imperial Sugar

Maybe you're looking for a sweet project for the kids or grandkids over Thanksgiving break. This is it!