IT’S DECEMBER 1! I say this over and over again at this time of the year but my heart is just so happy. A lot of people associate it with stress with all of the gifts to buy, things to ship, etc. which I suppose it can be but I choose to hear, smell, and see JOY all around me. It just makes me so happy. To make this time of year even sweeter, I’m so excited to be sharing 12 special cookie recipes during the first 12 days of December!

Multiple pounds of butter, many hours in the kitchen, and quite a few “failed” recipes later, I believe I have compiled a list that can make every person smile this Christmas season. I have some for the mocha peppermint coffee drinkers, some for the gluten free eaters, some for the classic cookie lovers, and more! I hope everyone can find something they love on this long cookie list.

First up on the list, the best chewy ginger cookies. Wait, pause. I feel like I should be singing to you. On the first day of Christmas Jordan Jean gave to me… Chewy ginger cookies… Okay stopping now.

Ginger cookies are my Mom’s favorite so growing up she made them every year at Christmas time. Eventually, as my palette matured, I grew to love them too. I had yet to try a ginger cookie better than my Mom’s until in undergrad at Virginia Tech, one of my professors, Dr. Duncan, made these chewy ginger cookies. I told her how much I loved them because they reminded me of this special time of year and home. A couple of days later I received this recipe in my inbox (thank you so much Dr. Duncan!) and it has been my all time favorite ginger cookie ever since. I bake them for 8.5 minutes exactly so they are soft and chewy. I hope you enjoy them!