I love the hieroglyphics of the holidays, the evergreen in the dead of winter. The ancient traditions & customs we’ve accumulated over thousands of years. Winter meant more before, before central air & heat and 70°F Decembers. Before electric ovens and take out. It probably meant fur pelts and mostly suffering. Big fires and steaming cups of hot anything. Now I burn quaint fires that I don’t need, at least not physically though it arguably meets another need, and I wrangle a balsam fir up my front steps, hands black and sticky with sap. But I can’t remember why, an historical amnesia brought on by did I get the dry cleaning and I need to swing by the bank. Brought on by having too much. Why am I doing this? Why are there spices simmering—juniper, nutmeg, cinnamon, rosemary, and slices of deep red apple in a copper pot? Why the cookies, the small army of cookies? It’s not just festive. They’re symbols. And now I remember why I bring a whole tree into my home when bare limbs are etched deep into the stark sky, when nights are their longest yet slowly dwindling. I remember that everything always dies and something green remains. The year is a wheel, not a line. And in the heart of winter human beings have celebrated rebirth & life for as far back as we can see. Winter can still mean a thing. We’ve only to remember.
That’s why I like to keep my festivities close to the earth—rustic modern if you will. Come the holidays you probably won’t find me in sequins & velvet. I’ll stick with my plaid and Warby Parker glasses (I favor the Lyle in English Oak but I really want these as my next pair) while I bake cookies, make simple garlands of pine cones & evergreen, infuse warm spices & tree trimmings into syrup for gifts, and wrap parcels (poorly—I have the gift wrapping prowess of a kindergartner—really, you should see the ends) in twine and brown paper with bits of cotton & greenery & berries from the yard—packages of handmade edibles & goods to be warmly given with hand written notes that actually say something.
That said, you best believe that I don’t make beautiful snowflake shaped cookies come Christmas day. No. I make legions of Boba Fett’s, Vaders, Yoda’s and all manor of spacecraft—TIE fighters, X-wings, and, of course, the Millenium Falcon. Gingerbread men? Ha! Gingerbread R2-D2. So while I keep it classic in most arenas, we all have our soft kitschy spots. Though if anyone ever called Star Wars kitsch I might get in a fist fight with them. Epic, it’s an epic. I digress. Anyone know where I can find Dr. Who cookie cutters?
So if you’re like me and spending this Christmas Eve running around doing everything from baking cookies to wrapping gifts to oh…I don’t know…picking up a case of 100 oysters (yep!), I hope this inspires you. Merry Christmas & Happy holidays! I really do rather love you all.
Slightly salty, buttery, and flecked with rosemary & fennel these are grown up sugar cookies for the holidays. These cookies are the best of both worlds, both flavorful & visually inspiring. You won't find bland, play dough cookies here.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1/2 lb, 232 g) unsalted butter, room temp
- 3/4 cup (165 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 egg, room temp
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp natural orange flavor (optional)
- 2.5 cups (315 g) all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, ground to a powder
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer beat the sugar, salt, and butter until pale and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl half way through.
- Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, mix flour, fennel, and rosemary.
- Add in the egg, vanilla, and orange and beat on low to incorporate.
- With mixer off add in the flour mixture. Beat on low until just incorporated.
- Using a spatula make sure the dough is well combined, and then form it into two disks and wrap in plastic. Chill at least one hour and up to over night. Set out for about five minutes before rolling out.
- Heat oven to 350°F. Line a sheet tray with parchment and lightly grease the parchment.
- Roll out cookies on a floured work surface. If your dough is cracking, it's too cold. Just smoosh it together and let it get to a workable consistency & temperature. Don't give up on it!
- Cut cookies into desired shapes (whether that be a delicate snowflake or Darth Vader's head) and place on the sheet tray about 1" apart.
- Bake 8-10 minutes until very barely golden around the edges.
- Cool fully on a rack and store at room temperature in an air tight container.
Notes
https://localmilkblog.com/2013/12/local-milk-christmas-2013.html
I can't imagine anything that tastes more like Christmas than this pine & warm spiced syrup. The acid in it cuts the sweetness making it the perfect mixer for cocktails (especially gin), tea (hot or iced), and it makes a wonderful instant soda mixed with sparkling water. But don't stop there! You can also pour it over baked goods, drizzle it on yogurt, make marshmallows with it, make a sweet +savory glaze for fowl or game... sky's the limit!
Ingredients
- 8 cups of water
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 cups light brown sugar
- 3 cinnamon sticks, crushed
- 1 nutmeg, crushed
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- pinch of ground cloves or 6 whole cloves lightly crushed
- pinch of mace (optional)
- pinch or two of salt
- 2 tsp citric acid or 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1.5 cups balsam fir or other edible conifer needles, roughly chopped
Instructions
- In a large saucepan bring the sugar and water to a boil together, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.
- Remove from heat and stir in all the other ingredients. Let steep at least until the mixture is completely cooled. I prefer to steep mine over night. Stir occasionally. The next morning strain through a cheese cloth lined mesh strainer into bottles. Store in the fridge. Should keep a few months due to the acid.
Notes
Make sure you wash your trimmings very, very thoroughly unless you are certain you have a tree that wasn't sprayed with chemicals.
These photos are so incredibly beautiful. I want to print them all out and hang them on my walls and pretend I live in them. Hehe.
Happiest holidays.
Beautiful Beth. Have a great holidays!!!
Is that you in the photo?! I love your longer hair! And the Warby Parkers, of course. And I’m so in love with these pine and fir flavored goods you have these days. Fir syrup sounds out. of. this. world. Hope you have a perfect Christmas, Beth.
Making your Lapsang Souchong Carmel has become a new holiday tradition for my family. Blessings on your holiday season!
This very well may be my most favorite post of yours, Beth. Your rendition of the holidays seems of the purest and honest. I deeply admire that, as it has been a goal of ours (since having kids) to maintain that sense of, as you say, rustic modern plaid wearing, feel-good type. Merry Christmas to you and yours! I look forward to reading along with you into the new year!
I’ve only recently discovered your site, with it’s moody photographs filled with nature, vintage, and delicious food. This post was particularly lovely…your holiday musings resonate. Cheers and happy yule things!
Your words always paint such a gorgeous picture in my mind. Your pictures, grand icing on the cake. Thank-you for sharing. Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful post to read on Christmas Eve – but – reality check time… your gift wrapping is out of this world lovely. I know whereof I speak since I got to open not one but two packages from Sweet Gum Co. recently. I am almost tempted to order something else just to get another one. No “poorly” anywhere in sight!
Great recipe. Merry Christmas to you too!
I love that you make Star Wars shaped cookies – those would go down very well in this household. Dr Who ones even more so – might have to start looking for some cutters 🙂
Merry Christmas!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/168706175/doctor-who-3d-printed-dalek-and-tardis?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=doctor+who+cookie+cutter&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery
Beautiful post, as always. Merry Christmas Beth. 🙂
Aww merry christmas to you too! And I love the syrup!
I mean, your photos are awesome and tell a story by themselves. Awesome!
there’s just an extra umph in these photos knowing that the cards have messages that actually say something. i love it! and that garland. as soon as i get myself a fireplace, that is going up. merry christmas to you, beth!
ooh and a random question: where did you get those scissors?? i have been looking everywhere! i’ve seen joyce chen ones online, which are a similar shape, but only seem to come in such bright colors. i like the metal ones that you have!
Everything is so warm…
You in those warby parkers is the cutest pic evahh.
You should see the one’s where Gremlin is crawling all over me! Suh kewt.
Just found your website and can I just say WOW. So much photo inspiration here. Love the moodiness of the scenes. Can’t wait to spend some time going through your blog!
I love your writing. I so appreciate how genuine, thoughtful and generous you are in sharing your reflections. Also, someday I hope to live somewhere where I can wander out and gather some edible conifer needles to make this syrup. I sounds perfect!
Long live Star Trek, Captain Kirk, Spock and Bones. Live long and prosper.
With the craziness of the holidays, baking took a back seat. Now with a cold snap filling the emptiness of the holiday, this is just perfect to fill the air with winter. Thanks!
Love everything about this post Beth…especially the self portrait!
So I just made these, completely unsure what to think, and the savory contrast is out of this world. Topped with homemade buttercream frosting delicately trimming the cookie was the perfect balance. These are going to be ringing in the New Year with us and our closest friends. So excited to share these!
Your work is inspiring. And your words are beautifully arranged like images themselves. Have a wonderful new year. I do look forward to getting to know you better in 2014. c
You have such an amazing blog. Great pics and delicious recipes. Keep up the good work!
This is so pretty and really embodies winter. I love it! Thanks for posting such beautiful photos. Happy New Year!
This syrup recipe is fabulous. Do you know if you can use another type of fir? Not sure if our tree is fraser or douglas or noble or?
As long as they’re edible (i.e. non toxic)… no problem!
I am so so so inspired. Thank you for these gorgeous photos and recipes. Also, I love to wrap gifts like that, only it just now occurred to me that now I can use red berries from the neighborhood. I had forgotten that I live in a place where I can gather them up.
I actually just read a post where someone had a Dr. Who cookie cutter for cookies and included a link. If I find it again, I’ll let you know.
Thank you so much for those recipes.
Every winter I infuse olive oil with balsam fir to make balm, but it’s the first time I use it for cooking. Made the syrup this week and put it on everything lol
Lovely photos! The recipe sounds delish 🙂 Your new glasses are gorgeous as well, I’m such a fan of Warby Parker and love my own pair dearly. Hope the holidays were swell, and your new year is off to a good start!
Such a beautiful, atmospheric post. As for Doctor Who . . . http://www.lakeland.co.uk/brands/doctor-who?intcmp=INTSRCH:doctorwho
Have a wonderful 2014!
you are such a constant source of inspiration, to make and create in ways weird and imperfect
Wow what a delightful celebration!
Thank you so much Beth for an inspirational post. I am assuming one could use 8 cups maple syrup for this recipe instead of 8 cups sugar and water. What do you think?
Take care, Ellie
oh man, my sister-n-law won over my four boys last year by having them over to make Christmas cookies with our pooled collection of Star Wars (me) and Dr. Who (her) cookie cutters…
I’m pretty sure we’re long lost sisters. Our first Christmas living in France we wanted to forgo buying a bunch of mass produced ornaments, so our ornaments were either procured at local christmas markets or handmade by us out of salt dough. And they all happen to be made with Star Wars cookie cutters…much to my mother in laws chagrin. 🙂
There are tons and tons of Dr. Who cookie cutters on etsy! (And Sherlock (BBC) too, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Happiest of holidays!!!
…….so so so beautiful
Hi Beth,
Loving this post too! And another request if you could share where those white beaded edged plates are from? So love them!!
like your diy
Everything is so very warm!
ovely photos! The recipe sounds delish
so beautiful!
milk is something that give us so many good stuff. especially cheese.
Loving this post too!
So love them!!
Wow what a delightful celebration!
The recipe sounds delish
so beautiful!
Another delight from you! This goes into my Nutcracker themed baskets as a Nutcracker. Thank you again !