For the Love of Dessert: Pudding Cookie-Exchange Ideas

Tis' the season to be jolly! Yup! Christmas season is here. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of all holidays, but Christmas has got to be one of my favorites. Growing up, my family never really celebrated Christmas, but after meeting the hubby and combining both our cultures -- I have really gotten into it (maybe that's why I love it so much). The holiday cheer, festive decorations, aroma and the anticipated holiday break is just undeniably wonderful...in every way. I love putting up the Christmas tree (which the hubby and I decided to keep our peacock theme, to remind us of our wedding), the lights, and wreaths. Anf then lighting candles to fill the air with the aroma of sugar cookies, gingerbread, and peppermint. All while getting 3 weeks off?!?! Yes and Thank you :) 3 blissful weeks of cooking, baking, playing with Ninja, cuddling with the hubby and watching all my favorite television shows....ahhhh.

Cookies....a big part of Christmas, as tons of people gear up to participate in holiday parties and cookie exchanges! Although I have not been so lucky as to participate in a cookie exchange because most of my friends are (1) boys and/or (2) leave for the Christmas holiday; I cannot wait till the day when I can participate in my first one and maybe, just maybe, even host my own! I think it would be such a fun way to enjoy baking with company I enjoy. Plus I get to sample a lot of different cookies without all the effort of making them and without having a ton of cookies laying around. Let's be honest, the hubby can only eat so many dozens of cookies ;)

But who doesn't love their fill of cookies?!? Cookies...my favorite dessert, hands down. Yes, that simple. All the desserts in the world and this simple, little yummy circle takes the cake (hahahaha... more dessert). Nothing beats biting into a warm, freshly baked cookie of ooey-gooey deliciousness. mmmmmm... mmmmmm...mmmmm. It's edible happiness, that makes me drool like Pavlov's dogs ;) But my ultimate favorite cookie-- yes, duh-- I have said it about a million times is the pudding cookie. I am a pudding cookie advocate and ultimate PR pudding cookie pusher :) I wish it was a job, because I would own it! Why did it take me until my mid-twenties to realize the glory of pudding cookies! Their moist, soft, delectable amazingness?!? And so for your cookie exchange I offer you these awesome pudding cookie recipes:

1. Almond Joy stuffed chocolate pudding cookies