I used to be in sales, and at Christmas, I wanted to give my customers something more personal than a tin of cookies or a fruit basket. Since I could bake, I started the yearly holiday cookie marathon. Baking my holiday gifts became a tradition. Every year, I would bake over 4,000 cookies and arrange them elaborately on covered trays. It became such a hit that as early as August, customers were asking me what new Christmas cookie recipes I would add to the cookie list for that year. And yes, by August I was testing new recipes.

I would bake every weekend for two weekends, dawn to dusk and every night during the week to accomplish this task. But the cookies were fresh when the trays went out and the reception was pure elation. Work would literally stop when I came in with the trays and popped the covers. Grown men would become little boys, hiding chocolate chip cookies in their desks before they were all gone. Women would fight over who got the last raspberry white chocolate bar or frosted cashew cookie.

I did this for over 15 years. So trust me when I say, I have one of the best tasting cookie recipe collections anywhere. Of course, I don't only bake cookies. I have some wonderful pie, cake, torte and quickbread recipes as well. Enjoy, for these desserts are the best of the best!