It’s certainly looking like Christmas with pine boughs, simmering mulled cider and plenty of fresh holiday wreaths and trees at the ten Distinctive Inns of New England (DINE). And with the fresh pine smells come scents of Christmas cookies baking in the kitchens of the ten DINE inns. ‘Tis the season for everyone’s favorite sweet treat. Full disclosure: We love cookies all year round, but they take on gift properties during the holidays. While we may have to wait another year for cookie exchanges and cookie walks, there’s no reason you can’t benefit from some of our favorite cookie recipes served to our guests. Make them in your kitchens or enjoy them during your next romantic getaway to DINE country.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies from Captain’s House Inn
Ingredients: (large batch)
2 lbs Butter
4 Cups Sugar
8 Cups Brown Sugar
4 Eggs
1 Tbs Vanilla
8 Cups Pumpkin
12 Cups Bread Flour
2 tsp Baking Soda
2 tsp Baking Powder
2 tsp Salt
¼ Cup Cinnamon
1 Tbs Nutmeg
6 Cups Oatmeal
Method:
- Cream the butter and sugars adding in the eggs, vanilla and pumpkin, scraping the sides of the bowl to incorporate the ingredients.
- Sift the remaining ingredients and add to the wet mixture.
- Make small balls with dough and bake.
Optional: melt white chocolate chips and drizzle over cooled cookies.
Maple Walnut White Chocolate Cookie Recipe from Rabbit Hill Inn
Cookie Batter Ingredients:
1 cup butter (soft)
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp maple extract
2 TBSP maple syrup (dark grade is available)
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups white chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
** add any other dried fruit or nut desired
Method:
To begin:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cover your cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
Have a mixer and sifter or fine mesh sieve on hand.
Step one:
In large bowl, cream the butter and sugar, add eggs. Cream again until fluffy and light.
Step two:
In a separate bowl, sift flour, salt, and baking soda. add to bowl of creamed ingredients and mix on low until dough comes together.
Step three:
Add white chocolate chips and nuts. Chill.
*** At this point, you may freeze the dough for future use.
Step four:
Drop dough by teaspoon onto cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 -12 minutes (or until done). Cool on baking rack.
Warning – these cookies disappear quickly, making double batches would be a really good idea. Thankfully, these delicious cookies freeze very well.
Salted Blueberry Cookies from the Inn at English Meadows
These cookies have a delightfully sweet and salty combination. Be sure to use coarse sea salt to top off the cookies rather than regular table salt. It really does make a difference.
Ingredients:
6 Tablespoons butter
¼ cup brown sugar
¾ cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 Cup flour
½ t baking powder
½ t baking soda
1 t salt
½ cup quick oats
¾ cup dried blueberries
¼ cup white chocolate chunks
Method:
Blend butter & sugars, add vanilla & egg until well blended.
Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and mix until just combined. Mix in oats, dried berries & white chocolate.
Scoop using a 1” scoop onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper, slightly flatten and sprinkle tops with sea salt.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.
Candy Cane Peppermint Kiss Cookies from Captain’s House Inn
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 tsp peppermint extract
10 peppermint candies
2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar for rolling
1 pkg. Candy Cane Hershey kisses
Method:
- Cream together the butter and peppermint extract. Beat in the crushed peppermint candies. Add the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt; stir well.
- Chill for 30-60 minutes. Roll in 1” balls, then roll in sugar. Place on silpat lined or lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350° for about 12 minutes. Immediately press a kiss in the middle of each cookie. Cool for several minutes on the pan before removing to cooling racks.
Makes 3 dozen cookies.
Leave these cookies out for Santa but substitute the glass of milk for Deerfield Inn’s Adult Hot Chocolate and Santa will be most appreciative!
Adult Hot Chocolate from Deerfield Inn – the perfect hot toddy
1 ounce Kahlua
½ ounce Godiva Chocolate liqueur
¼ ounce Amaretto
¼ ounce Frangelico
¼ ounce house-infused Vanilla Vodka
1 scoop of hot chocolate mix
Poured ingredients into glass hot drink mug. Top with milk and whip with a heated with milk frother wand.
Add a small scoop of fresh whipped heavy cream and a bit of Belgian chocolate shaved on top for maximum yumminess and Santa will surely leave gifts and not coal no matter how naughty you’ve been!
Remember, if you’re still trying to find that perfect holiday gift, consider the gift of getaway to any of the Distinctive Inns of New England. Simply contact your favorite inn and they will deliver a gift certificate in the denomination you choose.
In Vermont: Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford & Grafton Inn in Grafton
In New Hampshire: Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness & Chesterfield Inn in West Chesterfield.
Connecticut: Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic
In Maine: Camden Maine Stay Inn in Camden and Inn at English Meadows in Kennebunkport.
In Massachusetts: Harbor Light Inn in Marblehead, Deerfield Inn in Historic Deerfield and Captain’s House Inn in Chatham on Cape Cod
In Vermont: Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford & Grafton Inn in Grafton