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Showing posts with label we bake Bon Appetit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label we bake Bon Appetit. Show all posts

12.21.2009

We Bake Bon Appetit... Day 10 White Chocolate Cranberry and Pecan Cookies


Forgive me. I got sidetracked in my cookie baking. But with the Uncles death, flying to Vienna for three days for the funeral, coming home, other obligations, and the main man Certain Someone returning, it takes a while to get back on the saddle. And that was just in one week! Hard to believe Christmas is here . I posted two savory dishes when I returned just to get acclimated to my kitchen again. Thankfully my baking group is a no pressure group and we all remember this is fir fun, not an obligation.I cranked out these simple , non glamorous cookies for a friends holiday party last Sauturday. Nothing fancy here, but just good wholesome deliciousness. They went over well that evening. The original recipe was for White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies by Tyler Florence. But with almost bare baking cupboards and a more empty wallet due to the unexpected travel, etc, buying expensive Macadamias was not a priority for me . I had tons of pecans from Mississippi just dying to be used, and these made a suitable substitute for a high fat nut. I have seen others using pecans here as well. I also used fresh cranberries rather than dried, as I did in an earlier cookie recipe because I liked the tang it gave. This is an easy recipe to pull together and requires not a a lot of time. You can find the recipe here.
Just two more days to go hopefully by Christmas.!


Be sure to visit the other bakers:

Andrea of Andrea's Recipes (honorary member and our founder but not participating this year)Claire of The Barefoot Kitchen
Courtney of Coco Cooks
Di of Di's Kitchen Notebook
Judy of No Fear Entertaining
Kelly of Sass & Veracity
Michelle of Big Black Dog
RJ of Flamingo Musings
Sandy of At the Baker's Bench
Tiffany of The Nesting Project




Also this may be of interest to some of you if you like contests.
Enter to win a 12 Place Table Setting For the Holidays!

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Posted by glamah16 at 9:43 AM 8 comments
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12.09.2009

We Bake Bon Appetit...Day 9 Tea Cake Sandwich Cookies

This was one of the first cookies that caught my eye for We Bake Bon Appetite.The Tea Cake Sandwich Cookie looked so simple and perfect. I kept putting this recipe off as I was trying to knock out the easy, no chill cookies first. This recipe contains no eggs and at first seems dry, but comes together nicely as you blend.The process and chilling times in this recipe can be a little tedious, and I readily admit I skipped over some steps in the rolling out. If you are an experienced baker you know the key is to keep the dough well chilled.

I used a scalloped cutter for these. I am trying to avoid royal icing this year and just stick to sugar sprinkles. I embellished my cookies with various sugars I had laying around. I even made my own sanding sugar with some powdered food color and raw sugar. I plan to play around with that more and more. I found some red glittery edible dust and made a few dabs here and there. All in all a festive platter of cookies. The fillings are Goya's Strawberry and Passion Fruit jams. The beauty of these is that you can dress them up or down.
You can find the recipe here.



Be sure to visit the other bakers:

Andrea of Andrea's Recipes (honorary member and our founder but not participating this year)Claire of The Barefoot Kitchen
Courtney of Coco Cooks
Di of Di's Kitchen Notebook
Judy of No Fear Entertaining
Kelly of Sass & Veracity
Michelle of Big Black Dog
RJ of Flamingo Musings
Sandy of At the Baker's Bench
Tiffany of The Nesting Project




Also this may be of interest to some of you if you like contests.
Enter to win a 12 Place Table Setting For the Holidays!

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Posted by glamah16 at 10:55 PM 11 comments
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12.08.2009

We Bake Bon Appetit ... Day 8 Holiday Biscotti With Cranberries and Pistachios



Forgive me. I OD'd on cookies this week coupled with work and family related issues. One of my favorite uncles is not doing well and its just a matter of time. He lives in Vienna Austria, so the distance is stressful on my family here. Thankfully I have another uncle ( paternal) checking in on him and we are getting daily updates from friends. It seems death and illness is rampant with most of my acquaintances lately. So many sad stories lately.So you can imagine cookies were the last thing on my mind these past few days. But baking is always great therapy and a way to unwind.
I chose what looked like an easy recipe to pull together.The appeal of Holiday Biscotti With Cranberries and Pistachios was no chilling time! My dried cranberries didnt look all bright and red like Bon Appetites photograph, but I loved the flavors of anise, lemon, and pistachios mingling with the tart cranberries. I used Anise extract and I didn't have whole anise seed. I wonder why I don't use that flavoring more often in my baked goods. My only problem was baking two sheets at a time and the bottom sheet burning a bit when I toasted the sliced biscotti. That was easily remedied by scraping the burnt bits away like toast. I used an off set spatula to aid in the dipping of chocolate as my pot wasn't deep enough. The offset spatula made the chocolate easy to handle.
You can find the recipe here.

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Be sure to visit the other bakers:

Also this may be of interest to some of you if you like contests.
Enter to win a 12 Place Table Setting For the Holidays!



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Posted by glamah16 at 9:40 PM 7 comments
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12.07.2009

We Bake Bon Appetit ...Day 7 Stained Glass Lemon Cookies



For a few years I have been seeing these Stained Glass Holiday Cookies. Ground hard candies are inserted into the cookies cutouts for a stained glass effect. I used Jolly Ranchers. The recipe called for red and green candies, but I took artistic licensee and used the assorted colors. I love the zesty lemon bite to these buttery cookies. My only problem with them is sometimes the candy oozed out of the lines. But no biggie. Once hardened its like two treats in one, the cookie and the candy. Be creative with this. I tried to mix two colors but they all ran together.
You can find the recipe here.


Be sure to visit the other bakers:

Also this may be of interest to some of you if you like contests.
Enter to win a 12 Place Table Setting For the Holidays!

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Posted by glamah16 at 12:05 PM 11 comments
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12.06.2009

We Bake Bon Appetit...Day 6 New England Molasses Gingerbread Cookies



I really need my weekend to bake. One little thing can throw your game off. Happily I received my latest Springerle from House On the Hill. I became
obsessed with these molds a few years back. Last year while reading Martha Stewart's Living Magazine, she featured a few Springerle from House On the Hill, a local vendor. The irony is that I could not find these in Germany. Its a lost art and those that have them use them for wall decoration if anything. Here is my first attempt with Springerle last spring. You can use the molds for cookies, cake decorations, and even ornaments. I decided to use mine in New England Molasses Gingerbread Cookies For Day 6 of our 12 Days of Cookies from Bon Appetit.

The recipe states these cookies are not so crisp but more tender and cake like. I was worried it wouldn't be stiff enough for my Springerle mold, but it held up very well.

Forgive me not using the cutesy Gingerbread Men, Would you believe I don't even have a cutter in that shape? I did make other traditional Holiday shapes , however. This recipe yields a lot and my mold for the Christ Child with Angels was very large. I still didn't manage to use the third disc, and put that away in freezer for later use. The mold is a Medieval reproduction based on a work Stuttgart's Wurttembergische Museum.

Sprigerle molds are tricky and when using a dark dough, I used oil to paint in every crevice to get the detail, rather than flour or confectioners sugar. The dough was soft and crumbly and you really had to press or lightly roll with a rolling pin to ensure the detail. Releasing was very tricky, but after a few attempts I got it.



I decided to take out my other mold , even though it wasn't as Christmas like. These would make stunning little token gifts. When cooled I brused gold luster to highlight the detailed work.
You can find the recipe here.


Also this may be of interest to some of you if you like contests.
Enter to win a 12 Place Table Setting For the Holidays!


Be sure to visit the other bakers:


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Posted by glamah16 at 7:32 PM 10 comments
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12.05.2009

We Bake Bon Appetit...Day 5 Brownie Thins

On Day 5 of the We Bake Bon Appetit challenge, I am baffled by these Brownie Thins. The photo on the Bon Appetit holiday slide show captured me.This is a quick batter to whip up, but a worrisome cookie when baking. The directions called for dropping the batter which is on the loose side and pressing an oiled piece of plastic wrap to shape and flatten. I used oiled parchment first, then tried it with plastic. I found each way the batter clinged onto the paper/plastic, which called for me to scrape off with a bench scraper and try again. I manipulated the shape with an offset spatula as this other method wasn't working for me. When I baked these I didn't have pistachios which added a nice garnish, so I economized and used pecans ,which I felt would taste just as good. The Brownie thins baked up regardless and I had a very thin delicate and fragile cookie. They do taste like the tops of brownies, so maybe I wasn't to far off course.
Surprisingly these cookies went over very well at the office. In fact I received two separate holiday orders for these cookies as well as the Orange Almond Lace on platters. The same combo.This seems to be the year of Skinny Cookie. Who knew?
You can find the recipe here.


Also this may be of interest to some of you if you like contests.
Enter to win a 12 Place Table Setting For the Holidays!


Be sure to visit the other bakers:
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Posted by glamah16 at 12:00 AM 9 comments
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12.04.2009

We Bake Bon Appetit... Day 4 : Pecan Lace Sandwich Cookies with Orange Buttercream

So far in day four of the 12 days of cookies, I have to say Pecan Lace Sandwich Cookies are a leading favorite. Another lace cookie like the Orange - Almond Lace Cookies I made earlier on Day 1, these have a richer, deeper flavor with use of fatty Pecans. As an extra added bonus is an orange butter cream is sandwiched between the layers. These cookies can stand alone with out the butter cream in my opinion as well. No egg is used in this cookie. Just the butter, sugar, corn syrup and flavors cookies on the stove stop before being dropped on the parchment baking sheet. This cookie can be made ahead and assembled. They keep very well once assembled.

You can find the recipe here. This has to one of the easiest, yet most refined cookies I have ever made.

Be sure to visit the other bakers:

Andrea of Andrea's Recipes (honorary member and our founder but not participating this year)Claire of The Barefoot Kitchen
Courtney of Coco Cooks
Michelle of Big Black Dog

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Posted by glamah16 at 12:00 AM 9 comments
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12.03.2009

We Bake Bon Appetit...Day 3 Triple Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

Oh Yeah!
I find so far these cookies are the most festive without relying on cute cookie cutters and royal icing decoration. My third cookie in the 12 days of cookies is the Triple Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie. This cookie uses 3 chocolates ranging from dark, semi, and white alongside fresh cranberries and rolled oats. Heaven , literally in a bite. Of course I rationalize with myself the oats and fresh cranberries make it healthy! Right?
These cookies went over big in the office. A nice breakfast treat, if you will.
You will find these cookies are easy to pull together and require no chilling or shaping. Just pop them in oven and bake. You can get snazzy with your drizzle, but that's quick and easy too. I didn't go through any changes piping my chocolate topping, just used my spoon and went freestyle. Perhaps a mixed white and dark chocolate drizzle next time? If you are in hurry and want the topping to set, pop them in the freezer to harden and set. The bits of red and chunks of assorted chocolates will make this cookie stand out on any tray. The fresh cranberry adds a nice zing to each bite.You can find the recipe here. Enjoy.




Be sure to visit the other bakers:

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Posted by glamah16 at 12:00 AM 11 comments
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12.02.2009

We Bake Bon Appetit...Day 2: Hazelnut - Butter Cookies With Chocolate Chips


Who doesn't love a good Chocolate Chip Cookie? When I saw this recipe for Hazlenut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chips on Bon Appetit's Holiday Slide Show I was sold. Certain Someone even had a few of these. I have never been a fan of nuts in my baking. But Hazelnuts, Almonds, and pecans are the exception. Oh and Pistachios! OK , maybe I need to revise this. What I haven't been a fan of in baking is peanuts, And I have seen many a good cookie ruined with Peanut Butter, But a Hazelnut Butter? Now we are talking!
Baking cookies over 12 days is costly, and I was not trying to add any more expense than I had to. Rather than but Hazlenut butter, I decided to make my own with the scant amount of hazlenuts I had in my cupboard. I added a few almonds too and blended it up with a drizzle of vegetable oil to form a paste( like making a hazelnut praline). I confess I threw in a tablespoon of Nutella too to make up the difference! Nutella is not hazelnut butter , but a spread of hazelnut chcolate, and milk. It couldn't hurt. I also did not have mini chocolate chips , and used regular dark chocolate chips.
These cookies baked up to perfection! Really buttery and crips. The nut oils with the butter yielded a excellent crisp texture. Be sure to follow the directions and chill the dough for the 2 hours required before baking. You can find the recipe here.

Be sure to visit the other bakers:

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12.01.2009

We Bake Bon Appetit ... Day 1: Orange-Almond Lace Cookies




Last year a group of intrepid bakers, including myself decided to bake 12 Days of Cookies for the Holidays. Our inspiration was a great spread on Gourmet.com chronicling decades worth of cookies .With the demise of Gourmet ( may she rest in peace) we turned to another Conde Nast publication. I must admit Bon Appetit has never really captured my interest, but their holiday slide show provided just the ticket our growing group needed.


I must be insane to do this again. Last year the cookies built up and overtook my house. I ended up giving them away at a few friends Holiday parties. Certain Someone , at first indulgent, was not amused after a while. He will be away while I bake this year. I knocked out three recipes with him here and he liked one in particular, which is rare as he does not like sweets so much.
The first cookie Im posting is similar to another one I will post a little later. I worried about this, but the taste are way different and each cookie stands apart. What I love about these challenges is I am introduced to new recipe , I might not otherwise bake. So indulge me over these next 12 days. I will be posting a lot this December, as Tis the Season! Bon Appetit!

My first Cookie is the Orange - Almond Lace cookie. I love these butter and sugar based cookies that are mixed on the stove before baking to a deep golden color. If you are scared of butter, back away. The recipe called for finely chopped almonds, but I ran mine more into a coarse almond meal with some sliver chunks remaining. Don't be alarmed at the batter, it it runny and you drop it by the spoonful inches apart to bake . They spread into a delicate lacy pattern as they crisp up. Addition of a little egg makes then stronger. Dont be afraid that these are turning too brown while baking. The more golden and dark, the more the flavor comes through, as the sugars caramelize. You can find the recipe here.

Be sure to visit my other fellow bakers:


Andrea of Andrea's Recipes (honorary member and our founder but not participating this year)

Claire of The Barefoot Kitchen

Courtney of Coco Cooks

Di of Di's Kitchen Notebook

Judy of No Fear Entertaining

Kelly of Sass & Veracity

Michelle of Big Black Dog

RJ of Flamingo Musings

Sandy of At the Baker's Bench

Tiffany of The Nesting Project



Last Years 12 Days of Cookies from Gourmet.com
if you need further inspiration.

Brandy Snaps
Galettes De Noel
Old Fashioned Christmas Butter Cookies
Rugelach
Maida Heatters Chocolate Cookies With Gin Soaked Raisins
Chocolate Wafers
Viennese Vanilla Cresents
Bizcochitos
Brown Butter Cookies
Chocolate Meringue Biscuits
Benne Wafers
Navettes Sucres (Sugar Shuttles)

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Posted by glamah16 at 12:00 AM 15 comments
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