New Year Care Packages

At the end of every year, my mother and I make cookie care packages for family members.  Sometimes even my husband helps out!  We send these out instead of sending Christmas gifts.  This way, people get something homemade to enjoy during the holidays.  We spend so much more time with these care packages than we would have spent purchasing a gift.  They are made fresh with love and care!

Honey butter cookies

The days spent baking are always crazy, as I try to get it all done in two days so the cookies stay fresh. Everything must be made, packaged, boxed and mailed in two days flat. This year we made 17 cookie care packages. It was a baking frenzy.  And I loved every minute of it!


Every year I try out different recipes to see what everyone likes best. I've used many different cookbooks. All the goodies are packaged separately and labeled, so everyone knows what they are eating.





This year we made honey butter cookies, walnut chocolate chip cookies, Swedish butter cookies, oatmeal caramel bars, oatmeal raisin cookies, macaroon brownies, and chocolate covered pretzels.

The honey butter cookies took the longest to make. The honey dough had to be chilled, rolled, cut with cookie cutters, and iced with a sweet honey icing. They were very honey-ey. I don't think we'll be making them again. They took too much time.

Oatmeal raisin cookies



The walnut chocolate chip cookies were from the standard Toll House Recipe on the back of the chocolate chip package. I used both semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips and crushed walnuts. I always make these cookies.


The oatmeal raisin cookies were from recipe on the the oatmeal box.  Standard oatmeal raisin cookies.  Good old faithful cookies.

The Swedish butter cookie recipe came from a cookbook.  They were oh-so-buttery, light, sweet, and just melted in your mouth.  They were by far my favorite cookie this year.  I was quite impressed with them and will be making them again!  Not only were they delicious, but they were simple and super fast to make.

Swedish butter cookies



 

Macaroon brownies





The macaroon brownie recipe came from a cookbook, too. They were basically homemade brownies with coconut in the center. Although they were good, I wasn't too impressed with how they turned out. This recipe will probably not be used next year!

Chocolate covered pretzels

The chocolate covered pretzels are always excellent. I can't mess them up - who doesn't love them, no matter how they look?!

More chocolate covered pretzels

The oatmeal caramel bars were made from a cookbook recipe.  This one was chosen by Randy.  They had oatmeal, caramel, and chocolate chips inside.  They turned out very good.  They were my second favorite treat this year.   


More oatmeal caramel bars



After all the cookies and treats were baked and cooled, each type of treat was individually packaged and labeled.



Cookie packages



More cookie packages



The care packages then were packed with all the delicious treats.  They were mailed out yesterday.  One day I'll open a bakery and everyone can get some treats anytime they wish!  Until then, I hope the people who get them enjoy them.  They were packed with love!


Happy New Year, everyone!