There is just something special about the combination of chocolate and mint. So, when I went ingredient shopping in my downstairs freezer a couple of mornings ago for butter (lots of butter), a variety of nuts, and chocolate chips ranging from white to semi-sweet, I found everything I expected to find. In addition, I found 4 packages of Andes Crème De Mint baking chips. Wait! When did I buy these and why so many? And then I remembered that last Christmas Bartell’s drug store had these little packages of heaven on sale. And ever the frugal shopper, I took advantage of a great deal.

So, instead of Chocolate Chip Peppermint Shortbread Cookies (recipe on site and really yummy) which I had originally planned to bake, I decided to work up a recipe that included these delightful little morsels.

Now this is a cookie for a person with a sophisticated palate. Someone who normally looks and acts like an adult, but when presented with chocolate and peppermint together, reverts to a typical 6-year-old. (Mine, mine, MINE!) (And yes, I have someone in mind, but it would be unkind of me to mention his name in this reference.) (Hint: his lovely wife’s name is Margo.) Also, this might not be a cookie your young children would enjoy. It is very pepper minty. But truly, in a very good way.     

Anyway, this is a simple cookie to prepare. And perfect when included in a Christmas goodie package. And just for grins and giggles, I decided to post my list of the items I am including in this years goodie package for my 4 adult children and Andy’s sister Katie and her husband Rick. Not all of the treats will be in every package. Because, for example, I know Rick and Katie would prefer Anise Biscotti with Slivered Almonds to M&M Christmas Cookies. While Eden’s granddaughter Mary, would definitely scarf down M&M Christmas Cookies and Frosted and Sprinkled Sugar Cookies and not be at all impressed with Speculaas.

So, I try and match the treats to each family by age and number of people in the household (or kids living in the area who know grandma will be sending a package and they better be there when it’s opened. Thank you very much!)

Now I know I’m crazy and don’t expect you to do anything like this. But a goodies package from home when your kids or relatives aren’t in the area is a really nice way of saying “I love you” and “happy holidays”.

So, about this list. Every recipe is on this site.

Well, that’s it for now. As you can tell from this list, I am really busy in my kitchen getting ready to send these goodie packages, so they arrive before Christmas. So, please excuse me if I don’t post any new recipes for a few days. I am busy being Mrs. Santa.

May you too enjoy sending edible gifts to your loved ones. There is just nothing nicer than opening a package with treats you remember from your childhood. I try to mix things up every year. But one cookie my kids can always count on are Russian Tea Cakes.

I have been making Russian Tea Cakes every year since I was 20 years old. It’s really all about tradition. And if there ever was a year that we needed to celebrate family, humanity, and tradition, it’s this Christmas.

This has been a hard year for a lot of us. And it’s not going to get any easier in 2025.

So, I invite you to spoil your friends. Spoil your family. Make every get-together a celebration. We need each other. We need to know we are loved and that we will make it through because we are valued and loved by our friends and family. And we need to show our love to our family and friends. And if we can be the ones doing most of the spoiling, by showing off our cooking and baking skills, more power to us. We can bring joy.

So, to all of you who spend time in your kitchen, who cook wonderful meals and bake special treats, I salute you. Cooking and baking are time consuming. But a nutritious meal or a delicious treat is one easy way to show love. Keep up the good work.

And as always, peace and love to all.       

Patti’s 2024 list of goodies:    

CANDY

Chocolate and Almond Covered Old English Toffee

Easy Stove Top Peanut Brittle

COOKIES

Andes Crème De Menthe Shortbread Cookies

Anise Biscotti with Slivered Almonds

Candied Ginger Refrigerator Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate Chip Refrigerator Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate Orange Biscotti

Frosted and Sprinkled Sugar Cookies (recipe under Pink Cookies)

Fruitcake Shortbread Cookies

M&M Christmas Cookies

Russian Tea Cakes

Speculaas

NUTS

Sweet and Spicy Glazed Pecans

ANDES CRÈME DE MENTHE SHORTBREAD COOKIES

1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp.

1 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

½ tsp. fine sea salt

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. Andes Crème De Menthe baking chips

With an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt together until smooth.

In a separate bowl combine the flour and baking chips. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture just until the dough forms.

Place half of the dough on a long piece of plastic wrap. Using your hands, wrap the dough into the plastic wrap gently shaping it into a round log about 1½-inches wide. Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Do the same with the second half of the dough. Actually, you can make these cookies as large or as small as you want. (I usually make all my Christmas cookies on the small side because then people can have an assortment without feeling any gilt.)

Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Un-wrap log and using a serrated or very sharp knife, slice dough into 3/8-inch-thick slices. (If dough feels really hard, leave at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes.)

Arrange slices, about 1-inch apart on parchment paper lined baking sheets.

Bake until lightly golden around the edges, 15 to 18 minutes. (Do not under-bake.)

Remove from oven and cool on baking sheets for 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.