Inventing a truly great cookie requires a kind of genius. The men and women on below all have that mega-talent, and each has a terrific new cookbook as well. They share some of their best Christmas cookies with Food & Wine.

Holiday Cookies by Cindy Mushet

• Vanilla Crescents (left)
• Roll-and-Cut Sugar Cookies
• Royal Icing

Holiday Cookies by Jacques Torres

• Cherry-Nut Mudslides (left)
• Sugar-Crusted Chocolate Cookies

Holiday Cookies by Nick Malgieri

• Ginger Sandwich Cookies (left)
• Coconut-Pistachio Meringues

Holiday Cookies by Flo Braker

• Butterscotch-Glazed Coffee Shortbread Bars
• Hazelnut Sandwich Cookies (left)

Holiday Cookies by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito

• Cinnamon Spritz Sandwich Cookies (left)
• Chocolate-Mint Thumbprints

Published December 2008