Man vs. Machine
I thought I was on a roll with the Dessert Decorator Plus. After my cupcake frosting triumph last week, I was sure I had mastered this baked good decorating tool. I decided to use it for an experiment with spritz cookies, inspired by the 2011 holiday baking edition of Cook’s Illustrated. The article recommended using … Read more
Visions of Gingerbread
Not just for European children lost in the woods Gingerbread plays a prominent role in a fair number of children’s tales and Christmas lore, so it’s not surprising I had a very vivid image of this treat growing up. Humble peasant children nibbled it while traipsing the Black Forest of Germany. Witches could use it … Read more
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Where I found the recipe(s): My six-year-old has identified five possible vocations: scientist, ninja, teacher, baker or Jedi. She received the Williams-Sonoma Kids Baking book for Christmas to nurture her baking dreams. The aspiring baker and her five-year-old cousin mastered Chocolate Crinkle Cookies last Sunday afternoon. And aside from a little help with the mixer, … Read more
Honey Refrigerator Cookies Take You Back to 1942
Where I found the original recipe(s): I received The Gourmet Cookie Book (The Single Best Recipe From Each Year 1941-2009) for Christmas. More than just pages of intriguing recipes, this book offers a history lesson of sorts. Each recipe is one that was featured in Gourmet magazine over the years (and the cookbook, as the … Read more
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Peanut Butter Cookies
Where I found the original recipe(s): This is certainly not a new recipe to me, but it IS a favorite. I’m not sure where the recipe originally came from, but these are the peanut butter cookies my mom made when I was growing up. What I thought: What I like about these cookies is the … Read more
Just in Time for Valentine’s Day . . . Cut-out Cookies
This recipe isn’t new, but I think it’s worth sharing. I got it from my mom (she made these cut-outs when I was growing up) and the recipe is noted “Kraft recipe,” so I’m guessing it’s something Kraft Foods originally shared. These cut-outs are of the soft variety – they have an almost cake-like texture. … Read more
