RecipesVanilla Crescents These cookies are especially cozy at Christmastime, but are wonderful all year long. Try them dipped into hot tea or coffee.—Cara McDonald, Winter Park, Colorado
RecipesRaspberry Almond Strips Get ready to pour yourself a cup of tea, because you won’t be able to resist sampling one of these cookies. Almonds add taste and texture to the simple strips that are dressed up with raspberry pie filling. —Taste of HomeTest Kitchen
RecipesApricot Raisin Rugelach Rugelach is a classic addition to holiday trays. The flaky, buttery pastry slices encase a spiced fruit and walnut filling. —Laurie Klett, Hamilton, Michigan
RecipesAlmond Biscotti I’ve learned to bake a double batch of these crisp dunking cookies, because one batch goes too fast! —H. Michaelsen, St. Charles, Illinois
RecipesAlmond-Pecan Date Truffles My daughter and I came across a date candy recipe when she was learning about ancient Egypt. We changed some of the spices and nuts to suit our taste. My dad was a beekeeper and Mom always made a coconut date ball for Christmas. The truffles remind me of past Christmases and are ideal for something quick yet festive on a holiday tray. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia
RecipesCoconut-Almond Cookie Bark As kids, my friends and I sandwiched Almond Joys between cookies. For our high school reunion, I re-created the idea with a tasty baked version that breaks apart like chocolate bark.—Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, California
RecipesMole New Mexican Wedding Cookies Heat and sweet is such an amazing combination. I added chili powder and chocolate chips to give a new twist to traditional Mexican cookies. They melt in your mouth, and then the spice hits you. I just love them. — Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico
RecipesChocolate Chip & Pecan Meringue Bars I’ve had recipes for chocolate chip cookies and pecan meringues in my collection for a number of years—and I combined them to make these bars! They’re a lovely addition to any holiday cookie tray. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
RecipesApricot-Filled Sandwich Cookies I bake these delightful cookies every year for Christmas and when I share a tray of my homemade treats with the faculty at school, these are always the first to disappear! I’ve even had requests to make them for wedding receptions.—Deb Lyon, Bangor, Pennsylvania
RecipesRussian Tea Cakes I like to present my favorite holiday cookies in a special way. I pile this fresh-baked Russian tea cakes recipe on pretty plates that I buy throughout the year, then wrap them with colored cellophane to give friends. —Valerie Hudson, Mason City, Iowa
RecipesMexican Wedding Cookies As part of a Mexican tradition, I tucked these sugar-dusted Mexican wedding cookies into small gift boxes for the guests at my sister’s wedding. Most folks said the cookies never made it home! We bake them around the holidays too. —Sarita Johnston, San Antonio, Texas
RecipesPecan Kisses These lighter-than-air treats shared by Norlene Razak of Kyle, Texas, make for a sweet snack kids of all ages will love.
RecipesPistachio Cookies This wonderful pistachio cookie recipe is fun to make and everyone will be impressed with how pretty the green coloring is. They’re one of my favorite holiday cookies. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas
RecipesHoliday Nuggets Mom made these family favorites every year for the holidays. I still remember how much I enjoyed “helping” with the mixing bowl. Now my son helps me! —Anna Minegar, Wauchula, Florida
RecipesCranberry Pecan Tassies A traditional pecan tassie is a small tart with nuts. This holiday version adds cranberries. How festive! —Peggy West, Georgetown, Delaware
RecipesKipplens My Great-Aunt Hilda makes this recipe every Christmas, and everybody loves them! Kipplens taste a lot like Mexican wedding cakes, but I like my aunt’s version better. —Susan Bohannon, Kokomo, Indiana