Title:	Holiday Cookies: Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season
	Author:	Elisabet der Nederlanden
	Published:	September 5, 2017, Ten Speed Press
	No. of Pages:	168
	Cover Price:	$20.00 Hardcover, $11.99 Kindle

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During the holidays, you can never have too many cookies. They’re needed for cookie trays, neighbor gifts, dessert buffets, and family gatherings. Traditions in most families include several varieties of fancy holiday cookies, and it’s always fun to add a new variety. Holiday Cookies: Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season is one of the best new cookbooks to help any baker add incredible holiday cookies to the ever growing, but possibly run of the mill repertoire.

Although there are hundreds of holiday cookie cookbooks, this one is really worth having. It not only has traditional cookie recipes, but also dozens of new mouthwatering varieties that everyone will want to bake. The directions are concise and easy to understand and follow. The pictures – there is a picture of every one – are gorgeous, and the book is organized so that it’s easy to find a new recipe to try whenever in the mood.

Although the main focus of the book is cookies, there are also some excellent recipes for candies and confections, such as a rich Dark Hazelnut Fudge and crunchy and delicious Smoked Almond and Cacao Nib Brittle. Favorite new cookie recipes include Pain D’épices Shortbread Swirls which contain a beloved French spice, Fig and Cardamom Rugelach, Hot Chocolate Cookies with Aleppo Pepper, Dark Chocolate Cookies with Caramel, and Red Velvet Crackle Cookies. Some of the cookies incorporate the latest flavor trends, and some are traditional cookies made yearly by families.

In the beginning of the book, there are hints on Cookie Tips and Tricks, Storing, Packaging, and Decorating cookies. There are also recipes for a darling Gingerbread House, 3-D Christmas Trees, and Gingerbread Place Cards.

All told, if you want an excellent cookbook with both traditional and new cookies, this is the one. It is highly recommended and will be one that is used over and over.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.