Week 52 :: A Year of Sweets!

Sorry this post is a few days late--my Grandmother has already e-mailed me to inform me I am behind!  

First--I can't believe 52 weeks have passed since beginning this adventure!  A lot has happened this year, and obviously I won't stop baking now--if anything my love for baking has multiplied. 

I began this year with a Cookie Recipe--so I thought I would end with one as well.  My favorite (and simple) White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie.  FYI--these are some expensive nuts!  So stock up if you find a good deal.

Ghiradelli Macadamia White Chip Cookies

Prep time :: 15 minutes

Bake time :: 12-14 minutes/batch
Yields :: 5 dozen cookies

::Ingredients::

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 cups (one 11 oz bag) Ghiradelli Classic White Chips
• 1 1/2 cups chopped Macadamia nuts

::Directions::

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream together butter and sugars until fluffy.  Add vanilla and eggs one at a time.  Beat well.
3. Blend in flour, baking soda, and salt.  Fold in chips and nuts.  Drop tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 12-14 minutes.
   
   

   

I also thought it would be fun to sum up this year and the blog. I haven't looked in to the site's statistics until now, and it was kind of fun to wait.  So here are some stats:

• There have been more than 7,000 visits to the site (not all me, I promise)
• Different countries include Netherland Antilles, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Russia, Italy, Romania, Phillipines, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Canada (Hi Grandma!)--among many others.  A big "hello!" to all those visitors.  It's amazing how quickly one can circle the world with a cake.
• The most popular cake is actually my first cake--the 80s Themed Cake!
• The most popular cookie is the McQueen Cookie
• The most popular recipe is the Royal Icing Recipe

I can't believe this year is over, I have had a lot of fun baking all these treats.  Right now I am not sure what 2012 brings, but I will keep posting and hopefully you will keep reading!

And finally, for the 52nd time, Happy Baking!  

Week 50 :: Christmas Treats

I have always loved home made treats at Christmas time.  There is just something about the time and love that goes in to making Christmas treats that makes them that much sweeter (pun intended!)

Linzer Cookies

Over the past year many of you that live nearby have been able to try my sweets.  Many of my loved ones that live far away haven't been able to, so I thought--perfect opportunity!

Completed Tin

I was fortunate in that my Mom was easily recruited for the task.  She is full of great baking ideas and has quite a bit of experience herself.  After much deliberation and a carefully planned grocery list we ended up with Linzer Cookies, Macaroons, Gingerbread Men, Mint Fudge (below), Peppermint Bark, Sugar Cookies, Pfeffernusse Cookies and Peanut Butter Balls.  Phew!

Peppermint Bark

Many of the recipes we used are linked above.  Here is the recipes for the Mint Fudge (super easy):

Mint Fudge

Mint Fudge

Prep time :: 10 minutes

Chill time :: 1+ hours
Yields :: 2-3 dozen fudge squares

::Ingredients::

• 1 lb. milk chocolate
• 1 lb. semisweet chocolate
• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp. peppermint extract
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

::Directions::

1. Melt chocolate and butter in a saucepan on low heat stirring constantly.
2. Once chocolate is fully melted and smooth, remove from heat.  Immediately add sweetened condensed milk and extracts.  Mix well.
3. Spread mixture on a wax paper lined 11x7 inch baking dish.  Allow to set in the refrigerator for at least one hour before cutting.
   
   
   Note :: For perfect fudge squares, let fudge sit a room temperature for 20 minutes before cutting.  Run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe dry before each cut.

We tasted everything (a few times to be sure) and I am really happy with how everything came out. Somehow I missed taking pictures of the Pfefferneuse Cookies and the Peanut Butter Balls before everything disappeared.  It was my Mom's idea to do Pfeffernusse Cookies and I am so glad we did.  There were by far my favorite and they have pepper in them--go figure!  Until next time...

Gingerbread People

Happy Christmas Baking!

Week 44 :: Chocolate dipped Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies were a bit time consuming but worth the tediousness.  First, you want to make your favorite peanut butter cookie recipe.  If you don't have one, try the one below:

Peanut Butter Cookies

Prep time :: 10 minutes

Bake time :: 10-11 minutes/batch
Yields :: 24-30 cookies

::Ingredients::

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt

::Directions::

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cream together butter, sugars, and peanut butter. Beat in eggs.
3. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Mix well on medium speed for 1-2 minutes.
4. Roll dough into balls about the size of golf balls, place on cookie sheet.  Grease a fork and press down to make an "X" onto cookies as demonstrated below.  Bake for 10-11 minutes or until slightly browned.

Once the cookies are complete, let them cool.  While the cookies are cooling melt chocolate in a double broiler.  If you don't have a double broiler you can put a couple inches of water in a sauce pan and place the chocolate in a glass bowl on top, like so:

I used dark chocolate chips, but you can use any kind of chocolate that you like.  Just dip the cookie in the melted chocolate about half way and voila!

Happy Baking!!

Week 29 :: Snickerdoodles

I actually made cookies this week! Gasp--I know.  Well...honestly, I made a couple cakes too (to be posted later) but cookies first!

These snickerdoodles were amazing--I have established (what I think) is the perfect recipe.  These cookies are light, fluffy and cinnamon-sugar-deliciousness.  But then again, you can't exactly go wrong with butter and sugar (why I love baking).

Snickerdoodles

Prep time :: 25 minutes

Bake time :: 8 minutes/batch

::Ingredients::

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening (butter flavor preferred)
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp. cream of tartar
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. white sugar
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon

::Directions::

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, eggs and vanilla together.  Add flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
3. Place dough in refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.
4. Blend remaining sugar and cinnamon together.  Shape dough into balls about an inch around and roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture (picture below). Place cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes.
   
   
   

   

   
   

Happy baking!

Week 19 :: Cutout Cookies for Dogs!

This week my sweet dog Napoleon and I made some dog cookies!  They are really easy and Napoleon loves them but then again he eats bugs and dirt. Here is my handsome man posing with his cookies:

Doggy Cookie Cutouts

::Prep Time:: 10 minutes

::Cook Time:: 2-4 minutes

::Ingredients::

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. onion salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chicken or beef stock

::Directions::

1. Mix the dry ingredients together.
2. Add egg and stock.  Mix until moistened.
3. Form dough into a ball and turn out onto floured surface.  
4. Roll out dough and cut as desired.
5. Place cutouts on microwave safe plate and microwave for 2-4 minutes in batches.
6. Allow to dry and cool completely. 

 Here is a pile of all the cookies we made!  And don't judge, but yes, I did try them and they aren't bad :o)

Week 15 :: Peeps cookies

I got this idea from the amazing SweetSugarBelle.  Her blog is incredible, with innumerable tutorials on how to make some pretty incredible cookies in just a few steps.  You can find the tutorial for the Peeps cookies here.

 

I love holiday baking so this is the first of many Easter creations this month including new recipes for "Bunny Bread" and Carrot Cake.  

Happy baking!

Week 12 :: Alpha Options Cookies

Hello readers!  No new recipes this week, I had a specific project in mind.  My Dad has spent the last year or so on a project for NASDAQ--Alpha Options.  Next month he's been invited to ring the NASDAQ opening bell and he's taking my Mom and me!  I am so excited and I wanted to do something to celebrate, so I tested out some Alpha Options cookies using the Sugar Cookie and Royal Icing recipes.  After a few attempts, this is what I got:

That's the alpha logo from the index!  I certainly went through plenty of uglies to get these...here's the trick to make any pattern you want on iced sugar cookies.....
1.  Print out your image the size you want it.
2.  Trace it on a disposable plastic lid.
3.  Cut out with x-acto knife or scissors, so you end up with a stencil.
4.  Lay the stencil on top of DRIED, iced cookie.
5.  Using piping consistency royal icing, pipe in the stencil.
6.  Level icing with a toothpick.
7.  Remove stencil. Rinse excess icing off before the next cookie!

VOILA!

Week 10 :: Sugar Cookies and Royal Icing

Gavin's Lightning McQueen Cookies!

I made these by special request for my sweet nephew Gavin!  Hopefully I will be able to add a pic of him with the cookies when he gets them!  These are great for shipping as the icing dries hard overnight and holds up pretty well.


I got the design idea from Sugar Mama Cookies who has so many cute ideas!  I am just amazed at the many baking blogs out there that have such great ideas.  I am continuously inspired by them and the wonderful thing is, when I botch something up I can send them a message and they'll let me know how to fix it!

Both the cookies and icing are super easy to make...the decorating is certainly the hardest part to these cookies, and I still need some practice but I think they turned out well!  The dough and icing are both very simple and the recipes are below.  The dough can be made in advance and saved in the fridge for a week or so and the recipe below makes a LOT of dough.  Happy Baking!! 

Rolled Sugar Cookies
All recipes

Prep Time :: 15 minutes

Chill Time :: 1 hour +

Bake Time :: 6 to 8 minutes

::Ingredients::

• 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt

::Directions::

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Cream butter and sugar together until smooth.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time and beat well after each addition.  Add extract.
4. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt and mix just until consistent.
5. Chill dough for at least one hour or overnight.
6. Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and cut into desired shapes.
7. Place on ungreased cookie sheet 1 inch apart.
8. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes.  Cool completely on wire rack.

Royal Icing
All recipes

Prep Time :: 5 minutes

::Ingredients::

• 4 egg whites
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon extract (almond, vanilla, lemon)

::Directions::

1. Beat eggs whites in large bowl at high speed until foamy.  Gradually add sugar and extract.  Beat on high speed until thickened.

::Note::  I used Meringue powder in place of eggs whites for these cookies since they are going to my little nephew and I didn't want to use raw eggs.  You can find Meringue powder at any craft or baking store (maybe even some grocery stores).

::Note::  Add more sugar to thicken for piping icing.


Here are some other pictures of the same recipes I made this week for Kristen's birthday, including some St. Patrick's cookies!

Week 1 :: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Might as well start Week 1 with a staple recipe.  These Chocolate Chip Cookies are wonderful and you can add whatever you want (caramels, milk chocolate morsels, raisin, nuts, etc). My favorite variation, the Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookie, is included.  Modifications are noted in parenthesis and all else stays the same!  I shared these with friends this week and had all positive reviews....except for one that is.  I gave a piece to a little 2-year-old friend who chewed it up, spit it out, and handed it to a stranger.  So maybe there is still some work to be done :o)  Let me know if you try these or any variation.  Happy baking!

Chocolate Chip Cookies (Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies)
All recipes
Prep time :: 10 minutes
Total time :: 1.5 hours
Yields :: 24 cookies (36 cookies)


:: Ingredients ::

• 2 cup flour (1 1/4 cup)
• 1/2 t. baking soda (same)
• 1/2 t. salt (same)
• 3/4 cup butter, softened (1 cup)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar (same)
• 1/2 cup white sugar (same)
• 1 T. vanilla extract (same)
• 2 eggs (same)
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
• (+ 1 cup walnuts)
• (+ 3 cups oatmeal)

:: Directions ::

1. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.
2. Place butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 15 seconds (no need to microwave if using an electric mixer). Add both brown and white sugar and cream together.  Add vanilla extract, eggs and mix well.  Stir in flour mixture. Add chocolate chips (walnuts and oatmeal if desired) and stir until just mixed.
3. Refrigerate dough for 1-2 hours (up to 3 days).
4. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
5. Roll dough into balls about 1.5" in diameter.  Place on cookie sheet with 2" between cookies.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 12-14 minutes.
7. Allow cookies to cool for 3-5 on sheet before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

I used a lot of recipes from allrecipes.com.  It's easy to navigate their site, search and sort by rating and end up with some simple and great recipes.  You will see this site linked many times throughout the year!