Christmas in February?

No, no, no, Im not making a huge Christmas meal in February. I just want to tell you about all the delcious things that I made for Christmas and Thanksgiving.  I have a really big family and every Christmas/Thanksgiving we all go out to my Grandmothers house and eat, and eat, and then we eat some more. We also have a dessert competition every year. This year instead of making a decorated cake like my past winners:

I decided to make something that was just delicious: Chocolate mousse cake

Now, I regret to inform you that I didnt not win this year. The very first year that I lost. Good thing I didnt have my acceptance speech written out ( no it isnt really that kind of a competition.)

The cake is delicious, however. It is also from Tartine and Im convinced that there isnt anything in that cook book that isnt delicious.

And what Christmas would  be complete without some Christmas sugar cookies.

These are made from a basic buttery - shortbread like sugar cookie recipie and the cookie cutter is from Williams Sonoma. As if Williams Sonoma needed any help taking my money they had to come out with cookie cutters that you can change to spell out almost anything. I have not only the Christmas ones but also the everyday ones. You know, for all those everyday spelled out sugar cookie needs. And that doesnt even make sense!