ASHLAND, Ohio, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- When unpacking Christmas decorations and entertaining guests this holiday season, don't forget to bring your appetite for one of the sweeter holiday traditions -- cookies. The unique and flavorful varieties of Archway® Holiday Cookies will be available beginning November 2 at many of the same grocery and mass merchandise retailers that carry the everyday Archway cookie varieties.

According to the 2008 Christmas Holiday Profile report by The NPD Group (a leading market research company), cookies are the number one snack food traditionally eaten at Christmas. Sixty-five percent of consumers say they eat cookies during the holidays while 42% of consumers report giving cookies when gifting food during the holidays.

To share in these seasonal traditions, Archway is offering seven great-tasting, classic holiday varieties for the 2009 holiday season:

    --  Bells and Stars - A classic sugar cookie baked crisp in holiday shapes
        and topped with red and green sprinkles.
    --  Cashew Nougat - A shortbread cookie filled with finely chopped cashews,
        rolled into nuggets and carefully baked for a dense, crisp bite.
    --  Chocolate Coconut Macaroon - Tender, sweetened coconut flavored with
        cocoa, formed into delicate cookies and baked to soft perfection.
    --  Gingerbread Man Bag - A favorite holiday tradition with a perfect
        combination of ginger and spices baked into crispy gingerbread man
        shapes.
    --  Iced Gingerbread Man -  A classic gingerbread cookie lightly glazed with
        icing and topped with red and green sprinkles.
    --  Pfeffernusse - A German-inspired holiday favorite with molasses, raisin
        paste and flavorful spices combined into a perfectly round, soft cookie
        tossed in confectioner's sugar.

    --  Wedding Cake - A melt-in-your mouth cookie with a base of shortbread and
        nuts rolled into small cookies and coated with confectioner's sugar.

"We are thrilled to offer our Archway® Holiday Cookies fresh from our bakery straight into the homes of consumers," said Archway Brand Manager Holly Tolson. "We're honored that so many consumers include our holiday cookies into their favorite holiday traditions and celebrations, and we are happy to once again be part of these special moments spent with friends and family."

Under the new ownership of leading snack food manufacturer, Lance, Inc., Archway is continuing with its decades-long tradition of baking holiday cookie varieties. Only a limited amount of these unique holiday treats is baked so consumers are encouraged to buy early before supplies are gone.

Archway® Holiday Cookies retail for about $3.49. Prices and availability may vary by retailer. For more information about Archway, please visit www.ArchwayCookies.com.

Archway® cookies are widely available in most grocery outlets for consumers to enjoy or share with family and friends. The great-tasting, freshly-baked Archway® cookies are available in more than 20 soft and crispy varieties -- with Archway Holiday Cookie varieties slated to be available in November 2009. The origins of Archway date back to 1936 when a husband and wife team began baking soft oatmeal cookies in their Michigan garage. Since that time, Archway® cookies have been enjoyed as part of family traditions and moments shared between friends.

SOURCE Archway