CARDAMOM BUTTER CRESCENTS
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. I highly recommend this newsletter! Melissa writes, “The egg whites in the batter keep these buttery shortbread-like cookies crumbly and light (and provide a place for all those spare egg whites you accumulate during holiday baking). The cardamom flavor is pronounced, so use the freshest cardamom you can find. These are also perfect for gift-giving, since they’ll keep practically forever, or at least 3 weeks stored airtight at room temperature.” Time: 1 hour; makes 5 dozen cookies.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 teaspoon kosher salt
14 ounces unsalted butter (3 1/2 sticks), at room temperature
1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more for dusting
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup sliced almonds
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, add the flour, cardamom and salt, and whisk to combine.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on low speed until just combined. Add egg whites, beat until just combined, then add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece out into a log 3/4-inch thick. Using a bench scraper or sharp knife, cut 3-inch pieces off the log. Working with one 3-inch piece at a time, gently roll both ends so they taper slightly, then form into a crescent. Transfer to prepared baking sheet; repeat with remaining dough, placing the crescents 1-inch apart.
Gently press 1 almond slice into each cookie. Bake until light golden brown, 10 to 14 minutes. Cool, then dust with confectioners’ sugar.
GLUTEN-FREE PEANUT-BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES
This comes from The Food Network, and begins, “These gluten- and dairy-free cookies are super easy to make. And since there is no flour or butter to compete with, the peanut butter flavor is intense! Peanut butter purists, go ahead and make these without the chocolate.” Total Time: 1 hr 5 min; Prep: 20 min; Inactive: 30 min; Cook: 15 min.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/gluten-free-peanut-butter-chocolate-chunk-cookies.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 cup chunky peanut butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
Directions
Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Beat the peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and salt with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and egg. Fold in the chocolate.
Put some granulated sugar in a small bowl. Scoop tablespoonfuls of the cookie dough, roll them into balls and roll each ball in the sugar to coat. Evenly space them on the prepared baking sheets. Press each ball down with a fork to flatten it out and make an indentation.
Bake until the bottoms are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
GRANDMA'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
This was one of my grandmother's recipes, along with the oatmeal cookie recipe that follows. You can find them in my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking.
1/2 C butter
1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/4 C flour
3/4 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Cream butter & peanut butter together. Add sugar gradually & cream thoroughly. Add egg. Sift flour once before measuring. Sift flour, soda, baking powder & salt together & add to creamed mixture. Chill dough well, then form into balls the size of walnuts. Place balls on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork dipped in flour, making criss-cross pattern. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
GRANDMA'S OATMEAL COOKIES
Another one of my grandmother's recipes. When it came to baking, cookies were her specialty. You can also find these in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking.
Note: When you go to melt the butter, keep an eye on this. I was making a double batch of oatmeal cookies and had set the pan with 4 sticks of butter in it on the next-to-lowest setting on the stove, since I was juggling several things at once. At one point, I noticed that the butter was just about completely melted and, rather than turn off the stove (the smart move), I turned my back for a split second. That's when the butter exploded all over the stove...counter top...floor. What a mess! So, be forewarned...
1 C flour
1 C brown sugar
3 C quick cooking oatmeal (NOT the instant oats!)
1 C butter or margarine
1/4 C boiling water
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
Mix flour & brown sugar. Add oatmeal; stir. Melt butter; add to dry ingredients. Mix baking soda into boiling water; add to other ingredients, stirring well. Place batter into loaf pan, lined with aluminum foil & place in freeze for several hours. Slice & bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
Oatmeal Cookie dough, taken from the freezer; showing first cuts before baking
Then cut down the center, like so:
Placed on parchment paper-covered baking sheet, for easier handling
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
This comes from David Leite in The New York Times' cooking newsletter. David writes, “You may have memorized the foolproof gem on the back of the Toll House bag, given to the world by Ruth Graves Wakefield in the 1930s. But this may become your new favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. It’s a little more complicated, and you’ll have to plan ahead: after assembling the dough, you must chill it for at least 24 hours before baking it, and preferably up to 36. This allows the dry ingredients time to soak up the wet ones, which results in a firmer dough. It leads to a marvelously chewy, chocolate-rich cookie. Don’t skimp on good chocolate, and the sea salt is not an option -- it’s the beacon at the top of this gorgeous treat.” Makes 1 1/ 2 dozen 5-inch cookies.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups minus 2 tablespoons (8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks or fèves, at least 60 percent cacao content (see note)
Sea salt
Preparation
Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.
Note: Disks are sold at Jacques Torres Chocolate; Valrhona fèves, oval-shaped chocolate pieces, are at Whole Foods.
PUMPKIN COOKIES WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com's Southern Food expert. She writes, “If you're pressed for time, use purchased cream cheese frosting in place of the cream cheese filling.
“The pumpkin drop cookies are easy to prepare and bake, and the cream cheese icing makes the perfect filling.” Prep Time: 12 minutes; Cook Time: 12 minutes; Total Time: 24 minutes; Yield: Makes about 20 cookies
To view online, click here.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash nutmeg
4 ounces butter, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup whole milk
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
Filling:
6 tablespoons butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
Preparation
Line baking sheet with a silicone mat or buttered parchment paper. Heat oven to 350°.
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat 4 ounces butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well blended. Slowly beat in the milk and pumpkin, then add dry ingredients, beating just until blended.
With a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until bottoms are lightly browned and tops are firm. Cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet then loosen the bottoms with a spatula and let them cool completely.
Combine the filling ingredients in a bowl with an electric mixer. Beat well until the filling is smooth. Frost the bottom of a cookie, then press the bottom of another cookie on the filling to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining cookies. Makes about 18 to 20 filled cookies.
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