25 Years of Holiday Cookies: "The 34 Cookies of Christmas"

A few years ago, we "counted down" the 34 varieties of holiday cookies we made that year... Of course, since that time, a few cookies have been "retired," a few have been added, and some "take the year off" and stay in the orenji vault.  This year, to mark our 25th Anniversary, we are producing our 35 existing "core" cookies, supplemented by six "featured" cookies.  We hope tht you are as excited as we are!

Don't wait to order, as supplies promise to be limited this year!

Presenting the "34 Cookies of Christmas:"

1) Vanilla and Cardamom Press Cookies
2) Bittersweet Chocolate Cookies with Garam Masala
3) Apricot and Almond Shortbread
4) Coconut Kisses
5) Chocolate Caramel Surprises
6) Peanut Butter Secrets
7) Maple Pecan Logs
8) Walnut Dreams
9) Pear and Hazelnut Rugelach
10) Vanilla Shortbread "Acorns"
11) Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
12) Pine Nut and Pistachio Bisotti
13) Orange and Chocolate Chip Shortbread
14) Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Brittle Fingers
15) Lime Meltaways
16) Peanut Butter Kisses-- Retired 2009
17) Guava Thumbprints
18) "Hugs and Kisses"
19) Triple Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Dried Cherry Biscotti-- Retired 2009
20) Viennese Shortbread with Mocha Buttercream
21) Ginger, Pecan, and Dried Cranberry Shortbread
22) Caramel Pecan Tarlets
23) Lemon Blueberry Tarlets
24) Cappuccino Flats
25) Tropical Log Jams
26) Mocha Cashew Toffee Bars
27) Kahlua and Marcona Almond Balls
28) Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with White Chocolate and Raspberry Ganache
29) Chocolate & Nut "Dogbones"
30) Toasted Coconut Shortbread
31) Anise-Scented Fig and Date Swirls
32) Hawaiian "Teacakes"
33) Chocolate and Hazelnut Swirls
34) Lavender Shortbread
35) Five-Spiced Sesame Cookies
36) Eggnog Press Cookies
37) Matcha Green Tea Shortbread

Tomorrow, a "sneak peak" at the first of our five "featured" cookies for 2010!

It's never too early to order! Check out our offerings on the 2010 Winter Holidays Pricing Guide, available now by clicking here!


Not on the orenji mailing list? Press the button on the left-hand sidebar, enter your information, and you will receive our future (safe and secure) marketing emails, pricing guides, and updates.

Celebrating 25 Years of Orenji Assorted Holiday Cookies!

As we enter the 2010 Winter Holiday season, we are excited to celebrate our 25th Anniversary of Orenji Assorted Holiday Cookies!  We've published our brief history of Orenji holiday cookies in the past, but after 25 years, we can't help but stroll down "Memory Lane!"


the history of orenji holiday cookies

In 1985, at the age of 12, Jacob Palm, the owner of orenji and culinary artist behind our creations, made his first holiday cookies. Nearly twenty-five years later, we are still making cookies in the same manner— by hand, with trusted family recipes.

The history of orenji cookies began in upstate New York, with Jacob watching his mother, Linda—the first major influence on orenji holiday cookies-- bake holiday classic cookies, and gradually (to her delight!) replacing her as the holiday baker. It was in these early days that holiday cookies were mostly for friends and family, although sales began shortly thereafter.

After a few years, Jacob was working as a pastry chef under the skillful guidance, mentorship, and friendship of Cheryl Hanzlian Bevacqua—the second major influence on orenji holiday cookies. Cheryl “introduced” a significant number of now-classic recipes, and for many years the two friends baked cookies together. Sadly, in 2005 Cheryl passed away following a lengthy struggle with cancer. One of the cookies created each year since that time, Kahlua Balls, is decorated with pink sanding sugar—the color of breast cancer awareness-- as a simple tribute to an amazingly kind, loving, and talented woman.

Since the start, orenji holiday cookies have moved from upstate New York, to the upper east side of Manhattan, to our current location in southern California. Over the years, cookies have been shipped to a multitude of countries spanning four continents. Each year, the 35 “core” recipes— many variations on those first baked by Linda or Cheryl—are supplemented with new yearly creations. We hope that the love and attention that go into each hand-crafted cookie enhance your holiday season and communicate the long history of culinary artistry that these cookies represent.

From all of us at orenji: Happy Holidays!

Tommorrow, we will post an archive of our previous posts describing each of our 35 "core" holiday cookies... and then in the days following, a "sneak peak" at this year's featured flavors!  Be sure to check back!


It's never too early to order!  Check out our offerings on the 2010 Winter Holidays Pricing Guide, available now by clicking here!

Not on the orenji mailing list? Press the button on the left-hand sidebar, enter your information, and you will receive our future (safe and secure) marketing emails, pricing guides, and updates.