there are certain cookies that the mere mention of invokes childhood memories. three cookies that my holidays would be incomplete without are my grandmother's pizzelles, my mother's peanut blossoms, my aunt's caramel nut balls. i can remember my mother and both of my grandmother's buzzing around the kitchen for weeks before Christmas. my sister and i would beg to help. we would chop nuts, unwrap kisses and roll out dough until our little hearts were content.last week, lucky and i tied on our aprons, put on our favorite carols and set to work. the scent of freshly baked cookies filled our house for days. it was wonderful.

aunt ruthie's caramel nut balls

next on my baking list are kolachi rolls, oreo truffles and popcorn balls for ace's class party. what are some of your holiday favorites from the kitchen?