Something about rollout cookies just says Christmas to me. My family devoured them as quickly as my mom (and her poor back!) could roll them out. I never remember, ever, running out of rollout cookies at Christmas. And we were a big family! It didn’t stop with my mom either, my kids and my nieces and nephews all still light up when they see a plate of them. I spent a good decade trying to recreate the cookies before I finally made a batch that my mom said tasted just right, which was a huge win for me because as loving as she was, she did NOT hand out compliments on cooking often.

For some people cooking and baking is a wonderful creative outlet and a way to show love. I am not that person – ask my family who actually thanks me when I make a weeknight meal. That said, I am so happy I put in the effort to replicate these cookies. My mom has been gone for 4 years now and we all miss her every day, and especially at special times like Christmas. Being able to bring “her” cookies to my family brings such joy. Everyone’s eyes get big and they tear into them. Even my healthiest sister throws nutrition aside and buys extra milk to have with all the cookies when I come to visit during Christmas. My sweet dad is taken back to all the wonderful memories he has of my mom and her cookies. It’s like she’s reaching down and giving us all a wink and a hug.

So I guess those people who express their love through cooking/baking are on to something!