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.

Never Grease a Cookie Sheet Again

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Join us on Pinterest! Browse our 80+ boards (and growing) for cookie inspiration and simple baking tips, like chocolate chip cookies, no bake cookies, cookie gift baskets -- even special treats like gluten-free cookies! Happy pinning!

12 Days of Christmas Cookies, Day 9: Molasses Drop Cookies - Soft Variation of the Crispy Traditional Version

Image: The Cookie Elf

But the real tweak to the traditional Molasses Cookies recipe is the grated orange peel, which adds a fruity flavor to the cookies.

And the proportions in this recipe and the additional milk also mean these cookies are soft – not crisp, like traditional ginger cookies or ginger snaps.If you prefer a crispier texture, bake these cookies 2-3 minutes longer than the recipe calls for.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 10 minutes
Makes about 5 dozen cookies

Get the full Molasses Drop Cookies… and check out our Drop Cookies Pinterest board for more easy drop cookie recipes you can make for Christmas.

12 Days of Christmas Cookies, Day 10: Hot Chocolate Cookies - Better Than Cocoa!

Image: The Cookie Elf

These amazing drop cookies have just enough chocolate in the dough to classify them as a chocolate cookie.

But it’s the chocolate chips and miniature marshmallows – melted and browned on the top, just like they’d be if warmed under an oven broiler or over a campfire – that mimic a mug of hot cocoa.

The marshmallows melt and ooze, adding a hint of caramel flavor, too. Pair them up with a glass of milk or a cup of hot chocolate and you'll feel cozy and warm even when it's cold outside.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 9-11 minutes
Makes about 4-5 dozen cookies

Get the full Hot Chocolate Cookie Recipe … and check out our Chocolate Cookies Pinterest board for more easy chocolate cookie recipes you can make during the holidays.

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: How to Make Evenly-Sized Drop Cookies

Image: The Cookie Elf

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

Get the Scoop to Make Drop Cookies

Cookie scoop sets in graduated sizes: super handy for different types of drop cookies	Pro-grade (but not pro-priced) cookie scoops from Cake Boss, Oxo, Baker's Secret	Scoop it: Make uniform cookies with silicone mat and cookie scoop set

More Easy Cookie Recipes for Christmas

Happy baking,