CAN YOU IMPROVE on a classic? The answers to these questions are “Yes” and “Absolutely, when it comes to holiday cookies.” You want to hit the traditional notes and quell nostalgic cravings, but you also want to provide satisfying surprises. Since publishing “Rose’s Christmas Cookies” 32 years ago, I have authored 11 more cookbooks, but I haven’t devoted another one to the subject of cookies—until now. Published in October, “The Cookie Bible” is the sum of a lifetime of learning, testing and tweaking. My goal was to create the best possible version of all my favorite cookies, old and new, and to offer the easiest and best technique for making them.

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