Cookie Apocalypse 2015

Mile Marker 3450:

It's our third Cookie Apocalypse, and we're getting really good at surviving!

The first apocalypse at Mile 1471 brought an unprecedented week of snowstorms.  The second at Mile 2309 encompassed three ovens and an entire floor of our apartment building.  This year brings new neighbors and spring-like weather.  Seems pretty easy, but you never know what's coming...

Let's just say we're prepared for anything!

BRING IT ON!

It's a good thing Donna's organized.  She turns one bedroom into a coat room and another into a cooling room.  She loads up an ingredient table with provisions.

We've got more people and fewer ovens this year.  So Donna creates a contingency plan.

Call it the 2015 Apocalyptic Challenge...
At least half our cookies must be NO BAKE recipes!

Here goes.  Click on your favorites to try them out!

I make a Philly standby, Chocolate Covered Pretzels with snowflakes and candy canes sprinkled on top.  (Technically not cookies, I know!)

With Sahil's help, they turn out awesome!

Sarah rolls spiked Fruitcake Balls while Helen wins for the most non-traditional Christmas treat -- Caramel Matzah Crunch.

Yum!  (Click to see recipe)

Donna puts aside her coconut aversion to make no-bake Peanut Butter Balls.  (And I put aside my peanut butter aversion to taste-test them!)

Jasmine creates Chocolate Haystacks using an unlikely ingredient, LaChoy Noodles!  We nickname them "Reindeer Poop."

For obvious reasons :)

As for oven-baked recipes, we've got those covered too.

Ben stirs together giant Molasses Chocolate Chip Cookies.   Helen mixes mini Anisette Cookies.

Yes, they really turn out like this!

I scoop Red Velvet batter and roll it in powdered sugar to make a crackled cookie.





Donna goes classic with Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip.

Rupesh jazzes up his usual biscotti with orange, lemon, and chocolate chips.  (It's his own secret recipe, but here's a link to something close!)

 Manali makes fluffy, light Lemon Ricotta Cookies.

With help from our littlest baker!

Kristin sticks with her successful Chocolate Hazelnut Spiced Cookies from last year.  Sarah chooses Gingersnaps with a marshmallow twist on top.

Jasmine bakes up Buttery Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies.  (Try saying that 10 times fast!)

And newbies Josh, Elah, and Adi roll some of the best Shortbread Cut-Outs I've ever tasted!

The end result?

Enough treats to feed the entire city of Philadelphia.
Or at least our neighborhood!

Not to mention a pretty good sugar rush!

No one knows what this season will bring...
But we do know how to make it sweet!

HAPPIEST HOLIDAYS and 
BEST WISHES FOR A HEALTHY 2016!
Enjoy the recipes!