Rose's Christmas Cookies by Rose Levy Beranbaum (1990, Hardcover, Reissue)

I love Beranbaum's other books (Cake Bible, Pie & Pastry Bible, Bread Bible), so this one seemed the natural next step in my collection, and it definitely hasn't disappointed!

Her step-by-step way of explaining everything, down to the last detail, seems to make even the most difficult of tasks simple and easy to do. My family makes sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies every year for Christmas, and I must say that her sugar cookie recipe is absolutely to die for. She also helped me keep the cookies from getting puffy this year, a problem I've had for years. I also love the pictures included of every cookie, so that you know what the finished product will look like. Rose tells you which cookies can be made ahead, and how far. She gives tips on what to do if the dough cracks while rolling, and seems to be expert at knowing where the amateur baker may go astray and writing her instructions such that problem areas are easily avoided.

I look forward to trying all the recipes in this book, and there are many from which to choose. Decorative, edible, cookies for kids, sophisticated party cookies, cookies for sending, and old time favorites: piped snowflake decorations for the tree, spritz butter cookies, biscotti, turtles, coconut kisses, brownies, Mexican wedding cookies, three-nut fingers, toffee, Lebkuchen, Pfeffernuesse, Moravian spice cookies, chocolate-pistachio marzipan spirals, cheese cookies, pecan tassies, praline truffle cups, lemon butter bars, chocolate madeleines, mini cheesecakes, and the list goes on! For the adventurous in spirit, there's even a gingerbread model of Notre Dame de Paris to be made, complete with stained glass windows and all the instructions and guides.

Wonderful cookbook! There's not a more thorough or complete holiday cookie book out there.

This is a great book for the beginner as well as the seasoned baker. It explains CLEARLY everything that needs to be done to achieve the greatest cookies. The directions are clear, the photography is excellent & there are baking "hints" that make all the difference in the world. As a cookbook collector, I can tell you this is an A+. Hope you love it.

I really enjoy Rose Levy Beranbaum. She is very descriptive and so enjoyable. I like how Rose puts a new spin onto food. She makes the process very fun and exciting. I enjoy how she has information for why she made the recipe and also how to make it the best with tips and facts.