Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza – 2021

Teresa Ambra

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza – 2021

Well, here we are. After baking about 20 different cookies, several cakes, sweet breads, muffins, sweet rolls, and a pie, I present to you our Christmas Cookie Extravaganza for 2021. Below you will get a little idea of our process for the baking, bagging, sealing, labeling, and freezing all of our cookies each year. We love arranging them in festive hampers just like the gift hampers perth, making them the perfect holiday gift for family, friends, and neighbors.

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This year, in addition to my regular cookie baking, I received a large box of assorted fruits from Paradise Fruit Company. There is a special section of the baked goods I made using their candied fruits also. Our neighbors got extra goodies as I gave out many of those goodies for samples before we actually gave away the cookies.

We divvied out 122 gift bags; 100 of which went to our neighbors, 22 went to friends from church. We made up 5 popcorn tins; some for family and others for special former employers. We made up 6 large buckets which went to friends and former co-workers. Finally, we made up 23 trays which were sent out to doctor’s offices, former co-workers, friends and church office staff’s.

We spent the month of October and the first week of November working on this. We baked almost every one of those days! Needless to say, we were glad to be finished this year. By the time you see these goodies, we’ll have caught our breath and are no longer exhausted. 🙂

It is a labor of love. After John’s stroke last year, I didn’t think we’d ever manage to pull this off again. But he pleaded with me to undertake it as a way to give back to others and especially to get acquainted with our neighbors. We have made many new friendships as a result of giving the cookies away again this year. And those who’ve received them in the past are always delighted with our goodies and can’t wait to dig in. We’ve made lots of different flavors so there’s something for everyone. Enjoy! 🙂

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

The Process:

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Start with a large batch of cookie dough. This batch is Chocolate Butter Pecan Cookies.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Roll the cookie dough into balls. This batch is Strawberry White Chocolate Cookies.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Bake them up! This batch is Crunchy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Allow the cookies to cool. This batch is Candied Pineapple White Chocolate Cookies.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Once the cookies cool, it’s time to bag them and seal them. This batch is Candied Pineapple White Chocolate Cookies.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Seal, label and freeze the cookies temporarily. I usually freeze overnight. This batch is Gingerbread White Chocolate Cookies.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

After the cookies have frozen, remove to large zip lock bags and store upright to maximize space in the freezer. These cookies are Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Fruitcake Balls are frozen before bagging.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

I made a couple of batches of miniature Holiday Sour Cream Pound Cakes. I had several requests for them as everyone raved over them.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

I loaded two freezers with cookies! This freezer has about 3,500 cookies loaded into it! I made about 4,500 this year.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

After setting out all the bags, trays, popcorn tins and other cookie containers, I start placing cookies in each container. I do one kind of cookie at a time until are used up before starting on a different cookie.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

It takes us about 5-6 hours to get all those cookie bags and containers loaded up.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

Then we add Candy Canes and other Christmas Candies.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

We include a personal letter and a set of recipes (so our recipients can cross reference for allergies).

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

We added a copy of The Christmas Code which is a devotional book for Advent.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

After everything is loaded into the bags we add crepe paper on top and either re-freeze the cookies for later delivery or refrigerate them until we’re ready to deliver them (usually within a couple of days). This year we made up 122 gift bags for neighbors and friends.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

We make up trays of assorted cookies and bars. We made up 23 trays.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

We use every inch of space and pull out all kinds of folding tables to make this process go smoothly.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

After we organize the trays with cookies, we wrap each one tightly in Stretch-Tite plastic wrap, add recipes and make up a personal label.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza - 2021 | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - 30 different ideas for #holiday #baking! #Christmas #Thanksgiving #dessert #cookies #cakes #HolidayBaking #HolidayDessert

We made up 5 popcorn tins and 6 large buckets.

The Christmas Cookies:

Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies

Apricot Cream Cheese Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Chocolate Butter Pecan Cookies

Chocolate Butter Pecan Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Chocolate Potato Chip Sandwiches

Chocolate Potato Chip Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Coconut Date Balls

Coconut Date Balls | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Cranberry Nut Swirls

Cranberry Nut Swirls | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Cream Cheese Brownies

Cream Cheese Brownies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Crunchy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Crunchy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing whopper-sized #PeanutButterCookies contain #ChocolateChips making them some of the best #ChocolateChipCookies ever! They're terrific for #holiday parties or a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #chocolate #PeanutButter #PeanutButterDessert #ChocolateDessert #dessert #HolidayDessert #CrunchyPeanutButterChocolateChipCookies

Gingerbread White Chocolate Cookies

Gingerbread White Chocolate Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Gluten Free Cheesecake Brownies

Gluten Free Cheesecake Brownies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these luscious #brownies have a #cheesecake layer swirled into the batter. They're rich, decadent & divine! On top of that, they're #GlutenFree so you can share them with anyone with gluten intolerance. #dessert #cookie #holiday #HolidayDessert #ChocolateDessert #CheesecakeDessert #coconut #GlutenFreeCheesecakeBrownies

Iced Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Iced Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these spectacular #cookies have it all! #ChocolateChips, #pumpkin & icing. They're perfect for #holiday #baking & #Christmas parties or a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #PumpkinDessert #ChocolateDessert #chocolate #IcedPumpkinChocolateChipCookies

Lemon Coconut Pecan Cookies

Lemon Coconut Pecan Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Lemon Curd Almond Bars

Lemon Curd Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these drool-worthy #cookies are perfect for #holiday #baking & #Christmas or #NewYearsDay parties. #LemonCurd in the filling makes these goodies sensational. #dessert #HolidayDessert #LemonCurdDessert #almonds #AlmondDessert #LemonCurdAlmondBars

Molasses Date Cookies

Molasses Date Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This vintage #recipe is terrific for #holiday #baking. The #cookies are filled with #molasses & #dates and are unbelievably scrumptious. #ChristmasCookies #ChristmasCookieExchange #dessert #HolidayDessert #MolassesDateCookies

Strawberry White Chocolate Cookies

Strawberry White Chocolate Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Recipes using Paradise Candied Fruit:

Best Lemon Pecan Muffins

Best Lemon Pecan Muffins | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these scrumptious #muffins are made with #pecans & #CandiedLemonPeel. Then they're iced with a #lemon icing to top them off. Perfect for a #holiday #breakfast like #Thanksgiving, #Christmas or #NewYearsDay. #HolidayBreakfast #ParadiseFruitCompany #ParadiseCandiedFruit #LemonPecanMuffins #LemonMuffins #BestLemonPecanMuffins

Candied Orange Cookies

Candied Orange Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these delightful #cookies are made with vanilla chips & #CandiedOrangePeel. They're festive & beautiful enough for any #holiday party or #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #ParadiseFruitCompany #HolidayDessert #ParadiseCandiedFruit #OrangeDessert #CandiedOrangeCookies

Candied Pineapple White Chocolate Cookies

Candied Pineapple White Chocolate Cookies | these delightful #OatmealCookies include #CandiedPineapple  & #WhiteChocolateChips for a robust flavor that will knock your socks off! Terrific for #holiday or #tailgating parties or a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #cookies #ParadiseCandiedFruit #chocolate #ParadiseFruitCompany #pineapple #holiday #dessert #HolidayDessert #HolidayBaking #Christmas #Thanksgiving #NewYearsDay #CandiedPineappleWhiteChocolateCookies

Cherry Pineapple Nut Bread

Cherry Pineapple Nut Bread | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this sensational sweet #bread is perfect for the #holidays. It uses #ParadiseFruitCompany's cherry-pineapple mix which includes green & red #cherries & green, red & gold #pineapple. The flavors of this bread are so mouthwatering it's perfect for a #Thanksgiving, #Christmas or #NewYearsDay #breakfast. #pecans #HolidayBread #CherryPineappleNutBread

Cherry White Chocolate Brownies

Cherry White Chocolate Brownies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these lovely #brownies rock! They're filled with #CandiedCherries, #pecans, #coconut & #WhiteChocolateChips. Every bite is rich, decadent and heavenly. #ParadiseFruitCompany #CherryDessert #WhiteChocolateDessert #holiday #HolidayDessert #ChristmasCookie #ChristmasCookieExchange #CherryWhiteChocolateBrownies

Christmas Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Christmas Cream Cheese Pound Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this luscious #PoundCake is made with #CreamCheese & #ParadiseFruitCompany's #CandiedPineapple. It's absolutely amazing. The #icing has #PineappleExtract so it pops with flavor. Great for #holiday parties & get-togethers. #Paradise #ParadiseFruitCo #dessert #Cake #HolidayDessert #PineappleDessert #Christmas #ChristmasCreamCheesePoundCake

Fruitcake Balls

Fruitcake Balls | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these lovely #cookies include #fruitcake mix, #pecans #RiceKrispies & #coconut. They're fantastic for #holiday #baking, #tailgating parties & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. This is a mouthwatering & irresistible #GlutenFree #dessert #ChristmasDessert #HolidayDessert #FruitcakeDessert #ParadiseCandiedFruit #ParadiseFruitCompany #FruitcakeBalls

Fruitcake Upside Down Cake

Fruitcake Upside Down Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this moist & delicious #cake is nothing like traditional #Fruitcake. This #UpsideDownCake is moist, drool-worthy & full of flavor. It will wow your #holiday company & friends. Beautiful, elegant & festive enough for any holiday party or gala. #HolidayDessert #FruitcakeDessert #FruitcakeUpsideDownCakeFruitcake Upside Down Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this moist & delicious #cake is nothing like traditional #Fruitcake. This #UpsideDownCake is moist, drool-worthy & full of flavor. It will wow your #holiday company & friends. Beautiful, elegant & festive enough for any holiday party or gala. #HolidayDessert #FruitcakeDessert #FruitcakeUpsideDownCake

Ginger Meltaways

Ginger Meltaways | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these scrumptious melt-in-your-mouth #cookies include #CrystalizedGinger & vanilla chips. They are phenomenal & perfect for a #ChristmasCookieExchange, #holiday #baking or parties or even potluck dinners! #ginger #ChristmasCookie #GingerMeltaways #ParadiseFruitCompany #ParadiseCandiedFruit

Green Cherry Cookies

Green Cherry Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these festive #cookies are terrific for #holiday #baking & parties, a #ChristmasCookieExchange or even potlucks! #GreenCherries, #pecans & #coconut combine for a fantastic #dessert that everyone will love. #CherryDessert #HolidayDessert #ParadiseFruitCompany #ParadiseCandiedFruit #GreenCherryCookies

Green Cherry Sweet Rolls

Green Cherry Sweet Rolls | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | These fantastic #SweetRolls will knock your socks off! No kidding. They're perfect for a #holiday #breakfast like #Thanksgiving #Christmas or #NewYearsDay. If you want to wow your family and friends, serve up a batch of these rolls. They'll be drooling from the first bite! #almond #cherries #GreenCherries #CherrySweetRolls #ParadiseFruitCompany #ParadiseCandiedFryit #HolidayBreakfast #GreenCherrySweetRolls

Holiday Sour Cream Pound Cake

Holiday Sour Cream Pound Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this lovely #PoundCake includes #almond flavoring & #FruitcakeMix in the batter. It's made in miniature #bundt pans & makes a terrific #Christmas gift for friends & neighbors. So many people have told us how much they enjoyed this scrumptious #cake. #SourCreamPoundCake #dessert #ParadiseFruitCompany #HolidayDessert #ParadiseCandiedFruit #CherryDessert #HolidaySourCreamPoundCake

Tropical Fruit Bread

Tropical Fruit Bread | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this luscious sweet #bread includes #almonds, vanilla chips & #ParadiseFruitCompany's #TropicalFruitMix. It's sweet, crunchy and so satisfying. Terrific for a #holiday #breakfast like #Thanksgiving, #Christmas or #NewYearsDay or for sometime during the season. #ParadiseFruitCo #ParadiseCandiedFruit #mango #pineapple #papaya #cantaloupe #TropicalFruitBread

Tropical Fruit Pie

Tropical Fruit Pie | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this amazing #pie contains #CandiedTropicalFruitMix, #almonds & vanilla chips. It absolutely explodes with flavor & is a terrific way to use #CandiedFruit in a #recipe. Great for #holiday #baking. #HolidayDessert #ParadiseFruitCompany #dessert #ParadiseCandiedFruit #papaya #mango #pineapple #TropicalFruitPie

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