Welcome back to The Cookie Elf File! It’s that time of year when we send you cookie recipes, cookie trivia and simple baking tips to give you easy ways to bake 12 days of Christmas cookies.

This year, we’re sending you two recipes in each email to cut down on the mail in your inbox. Bookmark or pin these recipes so you can use them in your holiday baking.

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12 Days of Christmas Cookies, Day 9: Almond Toffee Bar Cookies - Easy “Back-of-the-Bag” Recipe

Image: The Cookie Elf

Almond Toffee Bar Cookies are an absolutely luscious layer bar cookie – one that looks incredibly elegant but is super easy to make, with just 7 ingredients.

You can find cookie recipe jewels like this one if you carefully study product packaging.

If you know where to find them, these “Back of the Bag” or “Back of the Box” recipes let you score big. They are created for specific products by manufacturers.

For instance, confectionary giant Hershey’s developed this recipe, sometimes known as Chewy Toffee Almond Bars (or other almond-toffee names) as a vehicle for its popular Heath Bits O’ Brickle Toffee Bits.

Here’s a secret: you can use any kind of toffee in this recipe – even homemade. Simply chop it first to allow you to melt it evenly.

Prep time: 15-20 minutes
Bake time: 30-35 minutes, divided
Makes about 35 bars

Almond Toffee Bar Cookies… and check out more Bar Cookies on our Pinterest board.

12 Days of Christmas Cookies, Day 10: Cranberry Walnut Squares - Easier Than Pie!

Image: The Cookie Elf

Can you say "better than pie"? Plus they are easier to make because you needn’t roll out a pie crust.

And you can cut them in smaller bites than a slice of pie.

That means you can eat more of them.

Seriously ... these bars are a great way to use up fresh cranberries when you have leftovers.

But you can use chopped dried cranberries, too. Which means you can make these all year long.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 45-55 minutes, divided
Makes about 60 squares

Get the full recipe for Cranberry Walnut Squares … and check out more Bar Cookies on our Pinterest board.

The Un-Santa Book: Plan Now for a Meaningful Christmas

It's filled with fun, meaningful Christmas activities for your kids, homeschool group, class, or event - with reproducibles!

You can even use the book to host a complete festival or sponsor a unique holiday event or simply doing Christmas crafts with kids during this special time of year.

Good gift idea, too! Learn more.

Cookie Baking Tip: Why Back-of-the-Bag Recipes Are So Good

Image: The Cookie Elf

See more helpful cookie baking tips on The Elf’s Baking Tips Pinterest Board .

Last Minute Gifts

Best-selling Wilton Spatula Set and other kitchen spatulas	Cookie scoops from Cake Boss, Oxo, Baker's Secret	Silicone, quilted, and padded oven mitts or potholders of all kinds

More Simple Cookie Recipes with Toffee

Happy baking,