-Isms: Views on life in rural America

The headline is intriguing: What’s your state’s favorite Christmas cookie?

The deck headline provides the source for the nationwide poll: Google shares unique holiday searches.

According to the accompanying graphic, Nebraska’s favorite Christmas cookie is ... wait for it ... Christmas cookie fudge.

What?

Interesting ... especially since our neighbors to the south searched for M&M Christmas cookies, while Coloradoans, Wyomingites, South Dakotans and Iowagens searched for Keto Christmas cookie recipes.

Nothing like a misleading headline. I began reading the article, discovering the search firm shared uniquely-searched Christmas cookies by state, in searches conducted between Nov. 29 and Dec. 6.

Perhaps Google needs to use its own image search. Type the term ‘Christmas cookie fudge’ into the search bar and you’ll see the said holiday treat is not a cookie, but instead, a creamy combination of sugar cookies mix and fudge. Most photos show square-cut candies topped with red and green decorations. The recipe calls for a bag of white chocolate chips, a packaged sugar cookie mix, a tub of vanilla frosting and holiday sprinkles.

Easy peasy.

The headline got me thinking about past holiday baking sprees, where Mom would make cookies and breads, while Laurie, Dad and I would each make a type of candy. We would share our goodies with friends and teachers and, if any goodies remained, we’d haul them to the grandparents’ houses for family holiday get-togethers.

I’m still wondering what holiday cookie is preferred by our state’s residents. I’m a decorated sugar cookie or cinnamon roll cookie girl. Some family members like the peanut butter thumbprint cookies with a milk chocolate star embedded in the center.

According to the Betty Crocker website, the peanut butter blossom cookie is the state’s favorite holiday treat. Delish, a New York-based recipe site, reports Nebraskans prefer toffee cookies during the holidays. In October, Readers Digest featured Nebraska’s favorite holiday cookie - a cranberry pecan oatmeal treat. Yummily, another recipe site, says the Husker state prefers popcorn balls.

Our Minnesota family makes the world’s best popcorn balls, so good, in fact, that multiple family members store a stash of them in their bags. They are ooey and gooey, with strands of marshmallow goodness exposed when pulled apart. But, popcorn balls are not a cookie, so ...

I’m curious what is your favorite holiday cookie. Do you prefer Christmas candies, like fudge, cherry mash bars and divinity? Or maybe you’re a popcorn ball afficianado. Share your answer via social media in this week’s poll or send a message to me at [email protected]