Thank you. I still haven't gotten all the things I need to wrap everything up with and I have NEVER seen holiday parchment paper before. I will be going to get some!

I know!!! and i figured, you can even wrap cookies in it, you can stack them and tape it or put ribbon around it. It'll be handy one way or the other.

Is any one labeling what each goodie is?

I just found Christmas themed ceramic mini loaf pans at AC Moore for $1 each.

I would check about where they came from and what is the lead content of the loaf pan. It seems a lot of things with certain paint made in China seem to end up being recalled, cause of a high led content.

At this rate I will never be finished baking - 2 more relatives called requesting special goodies that I made for them last year, so I'm adding to my list: peppermint meringues with chocolate and roll up cookies filled with either dark chocolate ganache or eggnog ganache

Here is a link to the "roll up cookies" if anyone is interested - it's a rare good Martha recipe ! lol
http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/candy-stripe-cookie-sticks-recipe

Wow these all sound so great. My relatives never ask me for anything, even though I do make the same goodies every year....I wonder if I should stop? I make:

Butter Toffee
Buttezueg
White ginger cookies
bosenberry bark
Italian nougat candy
meringue snowflakes
peanut butter bon bons
reeses peanut butter cup cookies
Mexican wedding cake cookies
Almond Biscotti


LaBellaflor those almond cresents and biscotti sound wonderful, my Italian father is always asking for treats like his mom used to make.

One other thing, I can't remember who talked about the Better Homes and Gardens magazine, just a note, it's the exact same information and pictures as last year for their holiday cookie/baking issue. They've actually repeated a couple years in a row now so if you have last years issue, you don't need this years issue (I think that's kind of lame, but that's me).

Thanks! I got the recipe for the biscotti on here. The almond crescents are one of my favorite! I didn't make them last year & I really missed them. What are white ginger cookies? I know I shouldn't ask, cause my list is complete, but they sound very interesting right now.

They are my family's favorite, from my German grandmother (along with the buttezueg). They look like sugar cut out cookies (with frosting and sprinkles), but have that ginger zing, no molasses or cinnamon. A very tender cookie. If you want the recipe, just let me know . Did you get the almond crescent recipe from here too?

I know I should bes aying no, but YES! I want the recipe. No, I got the recipe from a book I have. Would you like me to post it?

Hi Girls, me again!

Pop quiz time!!!

Can you please post your production schedules/timelines? Maybe if we see it broken down it'll help get going! (plus that way I can keep track of what your doing! (just kidding!!)

the goal is to start baking monday and be ready in two weeks!

Hi quick question, I'm making my cookie dough this weekend, on some recipes if says ok to freeze on others it doesn't say anything. The ingredients are in the same areas im just wondering if I can freeze all doughs? I have a gingerbread recipe its butter flour sugar ginger syrup. Doesn't look like there is anything there that will object to freezing but what do you think? Hanxx

LaBellaFlor, I sent the recipe via PM, I didn't want to clutter up the thread with it.

This thread has given me some new ideas unfortunately, so I may have to plan another day for the extra items you all have suggested (I've already got ingredients). The one thing I really need is a very inexpensive way to package a large amount of candy/cookie. I can't afford the baskets or anything really that is over $1 each, do you all think the paper plates are tacky? Any other ideas?

Rough Timeline
Thursday 11-26: Go to Michaels to stock up on basket supplies during their 30% entire purchase coupon sale *glee*
Nov 28th: Ingredient shopping
29th-30th: Making cookie dough and freezing batches.
Dec 3rd-5th: Cooking round 1 for baskets for a Non-profit animal shelter fundraiser on Dec 6th and for shipping to folks on Dec 9th
Dec 10th-12th: Work on wedding cake for Dec 13th wedding (Yes I'm doing a last minute wedding cake for a friend. She's paying me $350 for a 60 serving cake. I can't complain!)
17th-19th: Cooking round 2 for delivery of baskets on 20th and 21st.

VERY rough timeline. But the main thing is this weekend I will be making all of my dough. It really does make life so much easier when it comes time to bake. It's also easier as far as clean up goes too. I don't make near the mess when I'm baking and decorating as I do when I'm doing all the prep!

Dang, I was keeping up and started getting supplies already but then I got sick and haven't been on here since page 8. Lots of catching up.

I bought alot of stuff from dollar tree as well, but I did find the cutest 'paper chinese take out containers' at Big Lots. They have several Christmas designs, don't know what I will put in them but had to get them.

I started my list, but it is not finalized yet, still not feeling the greatest. I have strepp and an ear infection in each ear. Hurts to even swallow water!!!

Well good luck to everyone and happy baking.

Veronica,
Girl take care of yourself - we want you well so you can be with us on this baking marathon ! The Christmas Chinese carry out containers sound cute - I need to find some.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone - gear up for baking next week!

I got started on my list today. I started the cake balls (chocolate mint truffle, egg nog & gingerbread) by mixing and shaping them - then I threw them (undipped) into ziplock bags into the freezer for dipping later. I was able to make about 250 total - so at least I have one thing partially out of the way... only 500 more to go! LOL!

Vagostino, I don't have a time line yet, but I will soon. Thanks for staying on me, because my middle name is procrastinate.

Veronica, I hope you feel better soon too, and you better be getting rest. We have a lot of work ahead of us.

Happy Turkey Day to all of you!! Now I'm headed back to the kitchen...

I love this thread. I have also been lurking around and reading it and have decided to join into the group as well. This will be my third year doing Christmas baskets. Here is a list of what I put into mine but now that I have read everyone elses, I might just change them a bit.
Regular baskets:
1. Triple Chocolate Brownie Cookies
2. Pan de polvo
3. RKT snowman and christmas tree dipped and decroated in chocolate
4. 3 decorated sugar cookies
5. Family-favorite Oatmeal Cookies
6.Pumpkin Pecan Tassies
7. Empanadas de calabaza
8.Raspberry spritz cookies
9. decorated chocolate covered caramel apple looking like santa, penguin, or snow globe
10. Homemade marshmallows dipped in chocolate

and for the few sugar free baskets this is what I make:
1. apricot ladder loaf
2. almond biscotti
3.chocolate cocnut macaroons
4.chocolate peppermint cookies
5.cappuccino brownies
6.Banana bread
7. decorated chocolate covered caramel apple looking like santa, penguin, or snow globe

But like I said I am really thinking about changing some of these out.

Ooooh, I so would like to have you Empanadas de Calabaza recipe. I haven't had any in years! And do you have any pics. of your carmel apples. they sound so pretty, but I can't get a visual on what he snow globe would look like.

And timeline, timeline, timeline. Thanks Vagastino for keeping us on track. Will have my timeline worked out by Saturday for next week. I know I'm starting with candies, but I gotta check freshness dates.

Right,
I have my list ready and I have a rough timeline. I love making lists does that make me sad??

Cranberry cookies
checkerboard cookies
cocoa shortbread diamonds
cranberry pistachio biscotti
shortbread
gingerbread men
tiger butter
gourmet rocky road
rocky road candy
almond cherry fudge
hot chocolate on a stick
chcolate truffles
caramel white chocolate fudge
rum pudding truffles
pralines
mahogany buttercrunch toffee

I have my packaging boxes bags bought I just have to get the main baskets. I am making my cookie dough this weekend and freezing it ready to cut and bake closer to the time. I have bought disposable trays with lids to put my tiger butter and fudges in so I can stack them to cool in my cake fridge. I have my shopping list made with exact quantites of ingredients needed (plus a little extra for mistakes) I;ve researched prices to make sure Im getting the best deals. I'm all now, just work getting in the way now.

Here is a picture of the snow globe, santa and the penguin. This year I will be covering the chocolate with fondant to get a smoother finish. I will post the recipe in a few.

WOW!!!! I had to double check to make sure you said they were candy apples! Those are gorgeous! That is so creative. I would have never though ot doing that with cany apples.

I have a special request...as everyone posts there timelines, can you please tell how you are storing (freezing till decroate, air tight container, etc.) and shelf life of your items. I know this is a lot to ask, but this would help me greatly and I'm sure many others would appreciate it also.

Jawdropping, those are amazing!!

And I forgot to say Thank You in advance!!