Well this year has been off to an uneven start thus far. On the one hand, we’ve managed a short family getaway involving actual snow. On the other, we have then been plagued with sick babies for what felt like eternity. So after my firstborn has been a feverish mush for over 2 days (amidst a panicked trip to the emergency) something had to be done to cheer her up and soothe my nerves. Enter these rye cream cheese cookies. Obviously baking is nothing if not therapeutic. And the last time I made these for a small social gathering, my better quarter stole almost the entire batch off the cooling rack.

Even though the holidays are nearly here, there is still time to create something for yourself or your loved ones. These festive Greek cookies (known as melomakarona) are very easy to make, don’t require too many ingredients and make a perfect gift when you want to spread happiness. The amazing thing about them is that they keep for weeks at room temperature simply covered with cling film. Perhaps the only drawback you might find in them is that the initial recipe makes a gigantic batch. But then Greeks love to eat and they enjoy abundance while doing it, as previously seen here. So if the danger of overflowing in cookies is stopping you, then luckily the recipe can be easily halved.