Editors Letter

I envisioned an issue that combined some of the best baking talent with the simple yet sweet tradition of baking holiday cookies. And like a present waiting under the tree, the reality has far surpassed my imagination.

From this issue came another, less official holiday tradition: “Christmas in July,” a two-week marathon during which our team bakes every recipe that is submitted for our special issue. I took on 12 of those recipes this year—and not just because I jump at any excuse to bake cookies. We are testing recipes from some of our dearest friends, and we’re baking them in our