The ’12 days of cookies’ trend spreads

I don’t know who started the ’12 days of cookies’ phenomenon, but Food Network was the first entity to ask me to sign up for it. For several years now, beginning sometime in late November, I have received a dozen emails from Food Network, each with a different holiday cookie recipe (there is usually a bonus thrown in for good measure). In the beginning I dutifully attempted every recipe, but I have learned to temper my enthusiasm and now save my energy for the ones that are most appealing.

In the ensuing years, the ’12 days of cookies’ idea has spread, with the Los Angeles Times offering its own version titled 12 Days of Holiday Cookies and Food52 tweeting about its Holiday Cookie Chronicles. Bake from Scratch also has 12 Days of Holiday Cookies (plus some contests), and Spoon University has a straightforward list: 12 Days of Cookie Recipes. Even the Old Farmers’ Almanac has its own list of a dozen cookie recipes.

Some people might argue that having multiple lists of 12 holiday cookies results in too many recipes. That is rather like saying one can have too many cookbooks, which as we all know is rubbish. Of course I want to have multiple lists of a dozen cookie recipes! The more, the merrier!

Cookies aren’t the only food item getting the ’12 days’ treatment. Whole Foods is back with its 12 Days of Cheese promotion. Beginning next week, a dozen artisan cheeses will be offered at half price at most Whole Foods locations. Each day will feature a different cheese on special, so if you want to get them all you will have to make several trips.

For more cookie tips, lists and recipe links see our Cookie Time post.

Photo of Dried cranberry shortbread cookies from Bake from Scratch Magazine