I love the Christmas season for many reasons. For the first half of my life, my memories of the holidays were much chillier than they are today. Growing up in a small town in Canada, my sisters and I couldn’t wait for the first snowfall. It meant endless hours outside packing snowballs, creating snow sculptures and snow angels, and sledding down the hills at the local golf course. It was what we lived for. When the sun began to set in the late afternoon, we would peel away our toques, boots, frozen mittens, and snowsuits — and thaw our fingers with a cup of hot cocoa and my mom’s almond crescents. There was no better way to spend a day off from school.
Now that I live in Tennessee I can’t enjoy the snow, but I can still look forward to seeing my family at Christmas. Over the years, we have formed new traditions, with secret Santas, stuffing stockings, midnight Mass and our Christmas Eve sushi binge. And let’s not forget about the cookies. Oh, so many cookies. The women in my family love to bake. It’s not uncommon for my sister to bake twelve dozen cookies (of 4-6 different varieties) alongside my mother, who also had a bake-a-thon last weekend, producing 6 varieties. With so many goodies already, I usually get my baking fix before I head home. This year, I modified my favorite recipe (glazed lemon cookies) with a holiday twist, to make Lemon Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies. They have crushed candy cane in them — yum! I have already tested it a few times, and I think it’s ready to share. It takes me 45 minutes to produce about 40 cookies, from start to finish; it’s so easy! I’ve had so many requests for the recipe so, without further ado, this is my gift to you.
P.S. One of the most important tools you’ll need here is a 1-inch cookie scoop, so you’ll have perfect round “snowballs.” I hope you enjoy them.
Wishing you and yours a warm and merry holiday!
Karen Culp
I'm the Creative Director at SmartFurniture.com and the sole Canuck on our team. Smart Furniture has been my life for the past 7 years, and it has been amazing. I work with a fantastic team, who are like family. I'm responsible for our website, our brand, photography and products. I love anything midcentury modern. During my college days, I dreamed to one day own an Eames Molded Plywood Chair. I am a new mom, and my daughter, Lily, has brought new meaning to my life. When I'm not chasing her around the house, I am trying new recipes, making up my own, honing my photography skills, or smacking tennis balls on the tennis court.
