Cookies, Cookies & More Cookies!    by Lilach German Order:  USA  Can Charlesbridge, 2011 (2011) Hardcover     Reviewed by Bob Walch This is the time of year when holiday baking means dusting off your old cookie recipes. If you are in an adventurous mood and would like to add a little zest to your usual fare, this is just the book you'll want to consult. In this nicely illustrated book you'll find cookies for chocolate junkies, cookies for kids, and tasty, sweet morsels for the cookie connoisseur who craves something unusual or exotic. 'The wonderful thing about baking cookies is that they are so simple to make; even those who don't consider themselves a whiz in the kitchen can enjoy making homemade, beautifully tasting cookies,' writes the author. I'm not sure I totally agree with the simple to make part of this quote, but German does spell out the instructions for the recipes here so succinctly that I have to admit you have to not be paying attention to mess up most of these cookies. First, you'll find some Basic Recipes for turning out butter, chocolate, dairy-free, and shortbread cookies plus French meringue kisses. There's also a simple, two-step recipe for making Royal Icing (three large egg whites, a little cream of tartar and four cups of powdered sugar) which can be used to top any of these cookies. Once you've mastered the basics, then it's on to the classics. The dozen recipes here range from Madelaine Cookies, Linzar Sables, Florentines and Lemon Bars to Chocolate Rugelach and Red Current Financiers (friends). The children's section (although adults will love these cookies too) includes Nutella Thumprints, Sprinkled Chocolate Balls, Mini Marshmallow Cookies, Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches, and Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich Cookies. Nine recipes will be found in the Cookies for Occasions chapter. Christmas Meringue Snow Sandwiches, Gingerbread Man Cookies or New Year's Pop Rick Cookies would be quite appropriate now, but the triangle-shaped Hamantaschens filled with chocolate or fruit jam look pretty enticing also, although they are usually made for the Jewish holiday of Purim. There's also a special section for the health conscious cookie addict and you'll find Pine Nut Cookies, Green Tea Cookies, Energy Bars and Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies among the selections. The Chocolate Lovers chapter with eleven recipes is more to my liking, though, and there are fourteen cookies found in the closing section - Cookies for the Connoisseur. The Raspberry Macroons and Marmalade Squares are both winners as are Palmiers (Elephant Ears) which are made from puff pastry. Whatever your taste or skill level, there's something in this cookbook to make holiday cookie making more exciting this year. You don't have to wait until December to whip up a batch of delicious cookies. Homemade cookies are perfect for any occasion or holiday. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews