IN THE KITCHEN

IN THE KITCHEN

Christmas Cookies Tradition, Nostalgia and Storytelling All in One Bite

STORY & PHOTOS BY LISA PENA

Photo by Daniela Loera

The sweet convergence of traditions, new and old; family, present and passed; friends, close and afar; and oh, fabulous storytelling. Most agree, Christmastime is magic. The holiday season subtly encourages us to reflect on what is and what was, and that thoughtful pause in between is where nostalgia whispers to us all. It is a song that scoots us right up to the foot of our childhood Christmas tree as we admire the sparkling lights. It is a familiar movie that plops us back on the couch, sandwiched between family with matching pajamas adorned in red and green. It is the smells, tastes and sounds that lovingly tip their hats to the past and grant us full permission to recreate those same memories for those we hold dear.

There is nothing like a Christmas cookie that can wrap up tradition, nostalgia and storytelling in just one bite. The warm smell of vanilla. The perfect sound of crunchy chewiness. The way salt and sugar do-si-do so beautifully in your mouth. Delicious cookie recipes shared between family and friends can be a tender nod to the past and have the power to connect every generation at your table. So let’s get baking!

I recently spent time with some of the Rio Grande Valley’s phenomenal bakers, and together we collected five cookie recipes that are sure to leave your family and Santa swooning.

Grandma’s Originals, Please

“When it comes to gingerbread, I am a purist. I want it simple but flavorful,” shared Rebecca McBride of Batch Please Cookie Co. based in Harlingen.

This is no surprise seeing as McBride spent her holidays baking bread from scratch with her grandma in a house that was built with her grandpa’s own weathered hands.

Growing up in coastal areas of Virginia, McBride had an occasional white Christmas but even more memorable were the twinkling lights of Juniper Street and her grandma’s phenomenal baking. “Almost all of my recipes are from her original recipe book, with some special tweaks.”

Take, for example, her spiked snickerdoodle. The original recipe makes cinnamon the heavy hitter, but McBride’s version makes Screwball Cookie Dough Bourbon the shining star, with a depth of flavor that bursts through with the first bite. There is no need to worry because the alcohol content burns off in the oven, so Santa will stay nice and sober on his flight around the world.

My Abuela’s Kitchen

My abuela birthed seven sons. SEVEN. I was the first grandchild, a girl. Needless to say, I was raised with ZERO humility in her home. “Apaga la luz! Ya llego el sol!” The translation is, “Turn off the light! The sun has arrived!” This was how my abuela welcomed me into her home every holiday season.

I would sit on her brown-pegged dining chairs with shiny lacquer, my feet in laced socks and tennis shoes dangling, and she would serve me a cup of Popular hot chocolate. The gritty chocolate sugar crystals were fantastic. The way the fat from the thick whole milk layered itself on the top was a dream come true for every taste bud I’ve been gifted.

I became curious about food and flavors at a very young age, and forever deep-rooted in my food memory bank is the first time I smelled Mexican vanilla. With my bare toes gripping the rubber of the step stool and my shoulders barely grazing the countertop, my mom held the dark bottle up to my nose. Even as a young child I remember wondering how something could smell so good that it felt as if I was tasting it, too. With my newfound fascination, baking in my home became a roaring force especially at Christmastime. Flour and sugar would powder my hair and my nose. I would sneak frequent handfuls of chocolate chips and then carefully select the right Christmas baggie. My favorite time. Hands down, favorite childhood memory.

I am thrilled to share this delicious recipe that combines three kinds of chocolate and is sure to transport you back to your sweetest childhood holiday memories in your abuela’s kitchen.