Raise your hand if you also can’t manage to bake delicious cookies? I’ve tried those “easy” recipes, and the closest I’ve ever come to success was due to the help of those pre-mixed Betty Crocker boxes. If you want really good cookies to give to friends and family this holiday but are not the most talented baker, here are a few places we highly recommend for getting your holiday desserts.

Peach

If you’re in the mood for pies, look no further than Peach! They’re your hands-free solution to the holiday feasts. Peach’s Merriest Pies provide pies 100 percent homemade with love and freshly baked, even during the busiest days. Some pies are worth waiting for. Pre-order before 5pm to receive next day by noon.

Peach is also selling a Christmas-themed cookie box and it’s quite possibly one of the most delicious boxes of baked goodies that’s also incredible value for money. Trust me when I say that for RMB 188 you get a heavy-duty box of freshly baked goodies.

Comptoirs de France

They’ve got a huge selection of Christmas cookies, Stollen bread, yule logs, cakes, and more. Visit their shops in person or explore their mini program.

Mary Sweets

What started as a home kitchen operation has grown into a well-known brand that makes all sorts of delicious treats while never losing their homemade taste. This holiday season, Mary Sweets is offering Christmas donuts, gingerbread cookies, and peppermint cookies.

Sweets & Spices

Ready for a sweet holiday treat? It’s the season to indulge in a variety of cookies. Cookies are freshly baked to order.

EFE Bakery Pastries & Sweets

Get the classic holiday favorites at EFE. Find everything from rice pudding to zesty lemon tarts and even something called a chocolate salame.

Chef Fiona

Christmas is just around the corner and what better way to get ready than by making Stollen, a classic German festive treat? This enriched dough is packed to the brim with Christmas spices, blanched almonds, boozy fruits and is drenched in butter and icing sugar – what’s not to love about that?! Each loaf is 650g and must be ordered in advance. Get in touch with Chef Fiona via WeChat at fionayaoxi or scan the QR code below.

JCC Bakery

If you have children or are allergic to alcohol, the non-alcoholic Christmas cakes from JCC Bakery are the best choice for Christmas!

Looking for a specific dessert? Join the Sweet Cravings Beijing WeChat group, where local bakers share their signature desserts regularly. Add Camkon on WeChat to request to join.

Images: Courtesy of vendors

Cookies are treats that satisfy kids and everyone with a sweet tooth. They come in different sizes and flavor, including ginger! In fact, that’s the key ingredient of “Sticky Gingers,” the winning cookie from The Hutong’s 2017 Cookie Monster Charity Bake-Off held in May.

Jennie Chow, the baker who created the recipe, is sharing the secret of these chewy treats, loaded with crystallized ginger, drizzled with gooey caramel, and topped with more crystallized ginger. She will be holding a class at The Hutong on August 12, from 2.30pm to 5pm. But hurry, as there are only 10 seats for the class.

For all of you who are asking how Jennie came up with the recipe, she shares that the inspiration behind “Sticky Gingers” was the first cookie she baked when she was 10 or 11. Jennie said baking has given her so much joy that she turned that hobby into a career, opening a home bakery she named after herself in April 2016. She operates Jennie’s Oven in her hutong apartment. In the fall, Jennie is set to go to New York to start a pastry school at the International Culinary Center.

Cookie Baking Class By “Jennie Chow of Jennie’s Oven”
When: August 12, 2.30-5pm
Where: The Hutong, 1 Jiudaowan Zhongxiang Hutong (southeast of Beixinqiao subway station), Dongcheng District 东城区九道湾中巷胡同1号(北新桥地铁站东南边）
Price: RMB 300 (RMB 260 for The Hutong members)
Notes: This class only holds a maximum of 10 seats. Book your spot now here.

Photos: courtesy of The Hutong and Jennie’s Oven

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Email: andypenafuerte@beijing-kids.com
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It’s that time again to submit your cookie recipe for the Annual Cookie Monster Charity Bake-Off and get full bragging rights if your recipe is crowned the winner. This year’s deadline is February 13 and should be sent to Kristen Lum of Lum Dim Sum. The cookie monsters can get to munch on these year’s entries on March 19. Spaces are limited and the earlier you send your application the better.

The Hutong and lumdimsum.com co-host an annual charity bake-off – now in its fourth year – to feed the city’s cookie lovers and help aspiring bakers get more publicity. Additionally, part of the money from the sale of cookies goes to charity.

The entrance fee is RMB 150 for non-members, RMB 100 for members, and RMB 50 for children under the age of 12. The entrance fees include samples of cookies and a cup of warm milk. The selected bakers are asked to bake enough samples to feed 50 people and small packets to sell (RMB 20 which RMB 5 are donated to charity) on site to people who might like their cookies. If you don’t score big in Chinese New Year hongbaos (red packets) then be sure to get your hands on the raffle tickets that will be used to raise money for charity.

The beijinger’s managing editor, Margaux Schreurs wrote, “if we can give you one piece of advice, it’s to make sure you come hungry because 20 cookie samples is quite a lot.”

You can find more information here.

Photos: thebeijinger.com

• ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup Nutella
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp. Vanilla
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Photo by Flickr user: Y’amal