Cookie

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 hr

Executive editor Barbara Fairchild has a reputation as the staff chocoholic, so it's no surprise that her kitchen gift for the holidays is a big batch of brownies. A tried-and-true recipe from her mother, these treats are rich and very moist.

You would never guess that this rich, moist and delicious cake is lighter than its high-fat counterpart.

This recipe calls for sand sugar or pearl sugar (both sometimes known as coarse or crystal sugar), both of which have larger grains than granulated sugar and are used for decorating baked goods. Sand sugar has slightly smaller and shinier grains than pearl sugar.

Grissini, long, thin breadsticks, are found at Italian markets and some supermarkets.

Sue Shadley of Indianapolis, Indiana, says that the biscotti from The Bakehouse in Bloomington are addictive. These can be baked three weeks ahead and frozen, making them an ideal Christmas gift.

This dough produces a crisp cookie with oats for added texture.

At Loaves and Fishes we have huge glass jars filled with a variety of very large cookies. Since we opened our doors, we have had to refill the peanut cookie jar over and over each day. This recipe is for our loyal customers and our guests at the Inn, who enjoy a good cookie.