Jan Norris: Food and Florida

We are the original cookie monsters – love cookies, especially at the holidays. My friend and fellow food enthusiast, Robyn Kalajian, offered up these Armenian cookies last year – scrumptious and perfect for dunking into coffee, hot chocolate or cinnamon or peppermint tea.

The Palm Beach Post Cookie Contest winners

I miss doing the cookie contest at The Palm Beach Post. It has been going on for quite a few years now, begun while I was food editor. It brings out great recipes from our local cookie bakers. Congrats to this year’s top winner, Rachel Rinker, for her lovely and judge’s favorite Gingerbread Christmas Cookies. They’re cute and very holiday-ish.

Get the recipes from the contest and the story online here.

Find other cookie recipes on JanNorris.com

I’ve already posted several other cookie recipes through the years that are great for your baking this holiday – check them out! Not all are complicated – but they’re all good!

* Surprisingly good: Cottage cheese chocolate crinkles; and molasses ginger cookies.

* Snickerdoodles – that old fashioned cookie jar favorite! Simple!

* My own family’s must-have favorite: Orange-drop cookies (it’s at the bottom of the story).

Get my favorite copper cookie cutters at Coppergifts.com or Sur La Table stores.

* The most-requested recipe ever on my site: A friend’s Oatmeal-applesauce cookie recipe.

* Rosemary cookies from my fellow food editor Judy Walker of the Times-Picayune.

* Pumpkin whoopie pies – a soft sandwich cookie, so delicious and a real handful – great for gifts!

* Fancy White chocolate macadamia nut cookies – pricey but good!