Episode Overview
Title: Celebrating Holiday Cookies with Dan Pelosi
Podcast: Things Bakers Know: The King Arthur Baking Podcast
Hosts: Jessica Battilana & David Tamarkin
Guest: Dan Pelosi (Grossi Pelosi)
Date: December 1, 2025
The episode is a festive deep dive into the world of holiday cookies—an exploration of traditions, practical tips, and the pure joy of baking and sharing cookies during the holidays. The hosts discuss their own cookie rituals, share new King Arthur holiday cookie recipes, and are joined by cookbook author and famed cookie party host, Dan Pelosi. The conversation highlights the importance of variety, the philosophy of cookie platters, the ethos of homemade treats, and plenty of practical baking Q&A from listeners.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
The Joy and Art of Holiday Cookies
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Early Planning and Traditions
- Both hosts share that planning for holiday cookie season begins well before December—sometimes even as early as January, highlighting the centrality of cookies as gifts and as traditions in their households.
- Jessica hosts an annual cookie party, making 10-12 varieties for maximum variety and fun.
- David collects boxes all year to send cookies as gifts.
"I need more people to eat all the cookies I want to make. And it has become a really beloved tradition in our household." – Jessica (02:00)
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Philosophy of the Cookie Platter
- Variety is emphasized as the most important aspect of a cookie tray or box:
"It’s not the number of cookies on your cookie plate… it could be just two cookies, but those cookies have to speak to each other." – David (03:22)
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Cookie Selection Strategies
- Jessica is very selective about which cookies make the party, aiming for a diverse mix.
- Spreadsheets, freezing, and baking logistics are discussed as key tools for managing large quantities and varieties.
2025 King Arthur Holiday Cookie Collection (05:10)
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New Recipes Highlighted
- Sparkling Pistachio Cookies: Tender, crumbly, beautiful green color.
- Pistachio Gingerbread Biscotti: "Delicious biscotti, great for mailing."
- Striped Peppermint Shortbread: Festive, has a peppermint stripe—careful when boxing to avoid flavor transfer.
- Cannoli Cookies: Ricotta-filled sandwich cookies.
- Soft Chocolate Sugar Cookies: Debate over frosting's necessity—frosting is optional but provides holiday flair and balances cocoa flavor.
- Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies: Naturally green, stamped, and fun for decorating.
“If you made these six cookies and only these six cookies, you’d have a lovely assortment.” – Jessica (08:40)
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Tips for Gifting and Mailing Cookies
- Shortbread and biscotti travel well.
- Avoid mixing strongly flavored cookies (like peppermint) with others in a gift box.
- Think through variety of textures and flavors.
- Use spreadsheets to plan your bake.
Interview with Dan Pelosi (Grossi Pelosi) – Legendary Cookie Party (11:13–17:07)
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Origins and Evolution of His Cookie Party
- Started over a decade ago in a tiny NYC apartment—a gathering celebrating Italian-American holiday traditions and storytelling through cookies.
"All my Italian Americans will know… I grew up eating holiday cookies out of tins and trays. My tradition has evolved… the entire first cookie party as one does: talk about the cookies, tell the stories. People wanted recipes, they just wanted to know everything." – Dan Pelosi (11:50)
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Rules of Pelosi’s Party
- No store-bought cookies—homemade only. If you don't bake, bring a drink or yourself!
“No store bought cookies. It’s just not… what the Grossy holiday cookie party is about. It's a celebration of recipe making and the act of making and the act of cooking for others and sharing and storytelling.” – Dan Pelosi (13:43)
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Party Mechanics
- Each attendee labels their cookies and shares the story behind them—encourages connection through food and conversation.
- Guests take home mixed assortments—often re-gifted or enjoyed as special treats.
"I just am like, everything's fine. But yes, I do have a rule that's like, if you're not gonna bake them yourselves, don't bring cookies. They won't go on the table." – Dan Pelosi (13:21)
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Cookie Lineup and Experimentation
- Likes to bring a mix of signature cookies and new recipes each year—emphasizes trying others’ recipes as well.
- Sharing, generosity, and curiosity about “undiscovered gems” are key to his approach.
Cookie Q&A – Advice for Home Bakers
Q1: Cookies Too Cakey? (20:08–24:18)
- Tip:
- Weigh ingredients for accuracy—too much flour can make cookies cakey.
- If not weighing, use the “fluff, sprinkle, sweep” flour measuring method.
- Try reducing flour or leavening slightly.
- Try naturally “short” cookies (butter, flour, sugar, salt - no egg) for crispness.
- Different cookies have different natural textures (e.g., ricotta cookies will always be cakey).
“A tablespoon or two of extra flour could make a dramatic difference in the texture of your cookie.” – Jessica (21:10)
Q2: Cutout Cookies Losing Their Shape? (24:24–27:48)
- Tips:
- Roll dough to proper thickness—not too thin.
- Chill dough before and after cutting shapes to preserve definition.
- Use parchment; store rolled dough in the freezer to bake later.
- Double-chilling helps maintain shapes despite handling.
“Chilling them for 15 or 20 or 30 minutes before you put them in the oven will help them retain their shape.” – Jessica (26:21)
- Oven temperature: If cookies spread, the oven may be too cool.
"If your oven is not hot enough, it will not set the cookie in time. The cookie will lose its shape.” – David (27:28)
Q3: Alternatives to Royal Icing (27:55–31:14)
- Alternatives:
- Dip cookies in chocolate or white chocolate for a simple, tasty finish.
- Roll slice-and-bake cookies in sparkling sugar.
- Use simple American buttercream (tasty, but can’t stack cookies).
- Try the simple cookie glaze recipe (confectioners’ sugar, corn syrup, milk) for a shinier, tastier finish that sets firm.
- Royal icing is best for elaborate designs, but not for taste.
"Royal icing is there for looks... If you want to have a decorated cookie in the classic sugar cookie tradition, I just make an American buttercream." – Jessica (29:47)
Jess's Holiday Cookie “Hot Take” (31:36)
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Opinion: Chocolate chip cookies do not belong on a holiday cookie platter.
"A chocolate chip cookie is not a holiday cookie. It does not belong on your holiday cookie platter." – Jessica (32:40)
- David agrees: "It just does not give me holiday vibes…"
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Clarification: Cookies with chocolate chips in Danish butter tins aren't the same; they are butter cookies with chocolate specks.
Hosts' Own Holiday Cookie Plans (34:32–36:00)
- David: Dual holiday bakes: Chocolate rugelach for Hanukkah; classic piped vanilla shortbread for Christmas.
- Jessica: Whipped lemon shortbread (with masa harina and citrus for seasonal brightness).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "Variety is critical... those cookies have to speak to each other. Otherwise, you're failing at holiday cookies." – David, (03:20)
- "I have a very high bar for holiday cookies... I think really hard about what cookies should be there and the textures and the flavors and having this sort of variety." – Jessica (02:53)
- "Homemade is really the tie... if you don't wanna bake, please come, but bring a drink or bring yourself or bring whatever." – Dan Pelosi (13:29)
- "Jessica, what is your holiday cookie Jess opinion? ...A chocolate chip cookie is not a holiday cookie." – David/Jessica (31:36, 32:40)
- "Make a spreadsheet." – David (09:04)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Cookie Philosophy & Party Traditions: 01:06–04:43
- King Arthur’s 2025 Holiday Cookie Lineup: 04:43–09:04
- Introduction to Dan Pelosi/Interview Start: 10:39–17:07
- Dan Pelosi’s Cookie Party Rules/Stories: 11:13–16:25
- Listener Q&A - Texture, Shaping, Icing 101: 19:08–31:14
- Jess's Opinion (No Choc Chip on Holiday Platters!): 31:36–33:59
- Hosts’ Holiday Cookie Picks: 34:32–36:00
Tone and Style
- Friendly, deeply passionate, and inclusive—emphasizing joy, generosity, and the personal meaning behind holiday cookies.
- Practical, but never preachy—focused on making baking accessible and fun.
- Candid “hot takes” and lighthearted disagreements woven throughout.
For Those Who Haven’t Listened
This episode is a treasure trove of holiday cookie inspiration, full of practical strategies for planning, baking, and sharing cookies; touching stories of tradition and family; and plenty of good-humored, expert advice. Whether you’re a spreadsheet-cookie-platter planner or a spontaneous holiday baker, you’ll find wisdom, recipes, and validation for every stage of your cookie journey—along with a warm invite into the joyful world of holiday baking.