I try to always have a few packages of Almondina Biscuits in the Original flavor in my pantry. I've lost count of the times they've rescued me when I've needed a last minute dessert or something to pass with a little cheese and wine before dinner. Almondina biscuits are one of those handy versatile items that can take you from breakfast to dessert, stopping off for afternoon tea and cocktails along the way.

Read on for a few tips on how you can use these delicious, crispy, savory/sweet wafers! More

I'm sure you've all tasted the famous Peanut Butter Blossoms, which became universally popular after appearing on the back of a Hershey's Kisses candy bag many years ago. There's a reason they have such staying power; they're delicious. But here's the thing—I don't want to share the same old recipe that appears on every food site on the web. I want to share one that's even better. More

When I think of boxed cookies, Nilla Wafers are the most iconic and representative example that come to mind. These crisp, airy little wafers were a staple of kindergarten snacks and the base of more elaborate grown-up desserts (like homey banana pudding). But these classic wafers don't have to come out of a cardboard box; you can make them yourself! More

Q: I have for a couple of years been trying to make cookies using the famous Tollhouse recipe, but, no matter the quality of the ingredients it never matches the flavor that the packaged Nestle Tollhouse dough has. It really doesn't come close when you compare them. What am I doing wrong?

Sent by Simon More

Every holiday season we ask a few friends to join us here at The Kitchn for a series of guest posts. The topics range from favorite holiday recipes to family memories and traditions. Today's guest: Terry Boyd. Terry is a longtime reader and community member of The Kitchn, and he writes his own blog, Blue Kitchen. I always learn something when I visit there!

Fresh rosemary adds a subtle, mysterious something extra to Hazelnut Rosemary Jam Cookies. And unlike so many holiday treats, they're not overly sweet. So they're perfect with a cup of tea — and when holiday guests drop by. More

Every holiday season we ask a few friends to join us here at The Kitchn for a series of guest posts. The topics range from favorite holiday recipes to family memories and traditions. Today's guest: Domenica Marchetti. Domenica is a widely-published food writer and columnist, and she has published some wonderful books on Italian cooking, including this year's favorite, The Glorious Pasta of Italy. Welcome Domenica!

Fried dough.

That is what our house smelled like on Christmas morning when I was growing up. Even as my sister, Maria, and I attacked the presents piled under the tree, our mother dashed back and forth from the living room to the kitchen, where she fried batches of calcionelli.

These golden-brown crescent-shaped pillows of sweet dough, filled with ground nuts and honey, are a specialty of my Italian mom's native region of Abruzzo. I imagine that as she stood there at the stove at our house in New Jersey, the aroma of honey and orange zest and fried dough brought her right back to her own childhood Christmases in the hilltop city of Chieti.

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Q: I'm looking for a recipe or a tip on how to make homemade pirouette cookies similar to Pepperidge Farm's version.

I've found several recipes for the thin rolled wafers, but I don't know how I'd go about getting the chocolate cream and nuts in the middle. Any ideas?

Sent by Lily More

I realize that Christmas is still two weeks away but I really want to make cookies now. Of course I have a dozen cookie recipes from my family but I want to do something a little different this year. More

Q: Where did the tradition of baking a zillion cookies at the holidays start?

I know it happens every year, and it seems to have spread far and wide, but I would love to know where it started, and why? What was its purpose or intent? Just to share, or...?

Sent by Aimee More

It's the holiday season and while my household celebrates Christmas, we're also just as likely to attend holiday events that don't necessarily match its red and green theme. (Hanukkah, Solstice, Buddha's Enlightenment, etc.) I love to bring a plateful of cookies as a gift or put luck offering, so this year I gave my usual Christmas cookie recipe some new, more ecumenical party clothes. Read on for the transformation! More