Chocolate Butter Cookies
Chocolate Butter Cookies
These delicate little cookies are crispy on the outside and tender in the middle. They have a nice chocolate flavor and are not overly sweet. As an added bonus they are also easy to make. I tweaked another recipe and ended up with a cookie I like even better. Since I was happy with how they turned out I wanted to share the recipe with you. I rolled the cookies in demerara sugar when they were raw and then baked them. Demerara is a less refined sugar and looks like coarse brown sugar. It gave the cookies a nice sparkly appearance. You could also bake them plain and decorate with a drizzle of chocolate when cooled.
Chocolate Butter Cookies
1 c. sugar
1½ c. butter, room temp.
1 egg
2 t. vanilla
3 c. flour
¾ c. cocoa
Combine all ingredients, except flour and cocoa, and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Stir in flour and cocoa and blend well. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls. Place 1-inch apart on ungreased baking sheet and bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 7-9 minutes or until set. Cool. Makes about 5 dozen.
Decorate with drizzles of melted chocolate or frosting, powdered sugar, sprinkles (apply before baking) or whatever you have on hand. You can also bake the cookies in rounds with an indent in the middle and add a cherry later. I rolled the raw cookies in demerara sugar. It’s a less refined sugar at looks little coarse brown sugar. Gave the cookies a pretty sparkle.
Tremont Craft Show
Blackberry Jelly
I will be at Pilgrim Church this Saturday for a craft show that benefits Women Speak Out For Peace and Justice. I will have my books, herb seasoning mixes, beer bread mixes, bean soup mixes and more. Several of you had contacted me for the blackberry jelly I made recently. This will be your last chance to get some- as I am almost sold out. This is a really fun show with vendors you won’t find everywhere else. Plus it supports a great cause. Hope to see you there.
This show is on Saturday, December 13 and runs from 10-4. Pilgrim Church is located at 2592 W. 14th street in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood..
Holiday Chocolate Fan Cookies
Holiday Chocolate Fans
If you want a cookie that is really going to impress you might want to make these Holiday Chocolate Fans. They are crisp, not too sweet and tipped with chocolate and fine chopped nuts. While they look difficult to make, they are actually quite easy. For starters you don’t have to make dough. These are made with phyllo dough. Phyllo is found in the freezer section at the grocery store. Phyllo dough (also spelled filo) can be a little fussy. Be sure to keep extra dough covered with a damp towel so it won’t dry out and get brittle. It is best to work quickly when making these. We made these dipped in finely chopped toasted almonds. Other nuts could be used. You could also use white chocolate, if you prefer. I have even added a few sprinkles to the nuts for a pop of color.
Holiday Chocolate Fans
1 lb. phyllo dough, thawed*
1 c. butter, melted
12-oz. chocolate chips
2 T. shortening- you can use coconut oil instead
1 c. finely chopped nuts or coconut, pistachios are extra nice
Remove phyllo from box, still rolled up and cut crosswise into 5-6 equal pieces. Keep unused dough covered in a damp towel to prevent drying out. Take one piece of dough and open it up, cutting it in half crosswise. Take 1 sheet and brush with butter. Place another sheet on top and brush again with butter. Place third piece of dough on top and butter again. Starting at short end begin to fold the dough in ¾ inch folds, accordion style. Pinch together at one end and fan out the dough at the other. It should look like a little fan. Place on ungreased baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough. Bake at 375 degrees for 5 minutes. Cool. Melt chocolate and shortening together in microwave or on top of double boiler. Stir to smooth. Dip tip of wide end of fans in melted chocolate and then in the nuts or coconut. Place on a rack to cool and harden. Makes about 65 fans. Can be frozen.
*I buy frozen phyllo dough but be sure to get the right one. Around here there are 2 different sizes. You’ll need the long box- where the dough is 15 inches long.
fold dough like a pleat
Pinch one end and fan out the dough
finished fans
Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
It is the time of year when a lot of people are baking cookies. I thought I would share one of my favorite cookie recipes with you. These little cookies are delicate and full of flavor. I will admit to being a big fan of shortbread cookies. These are enhanced with mini chocolate chips and just melt in your mouth. I’ll be posting cookie recipes for the next couple of weeks so keep looking for more.
Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
1 c. butter (no substitutions), softened
½ c. brown sugar
1 t. vanilla extract
2 c. flour
¼ c. cornstarch
½ c. mini chocolate chips
2-3 T. granulated sugar
With electric mixer beat butter, brown sugar and vanilla until well mixed. Stir in flour and cornstarch and then stir in chips. Form into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased baking sheet. Pour granulated sugar on a small plate and dip bottom of drinking glass into the sugar and use this to gently flatten down the cookies. Press small indent in each cookie with a teaspoon. Bake in a preheated 300-degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cookies start to brown on the bottom. Cool on sheets 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack. Makes about 3 ½ dozen.
Pumpkin Pancakes
Pumpkin Pancakes
I am normally a boring breakfast sort of person. Oat bran or toast. Maybe a couple of eggs. Every once in a while I spend a little extra time for something special. Today I just had a taste for pancakes. Since I had some cooked pumpkin in the fridge it seemed natural to make pumpkin pancakes. I topped them with a drizzle of warm maple syrup. So delicious. I am not likely to change my habits about breakfast, but sometimes you just need to treat yourself to something special.
Pumpkin Pancakes
2 c. baking mix – like Bisquick or Jiffy Mix – I make my own*
3 T. brown sugar
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
1 1/2 c. evaporated milk
1 c. solid pack pumpkin
2 eggs, beaten
2 t. vanilla
Combine dry ingredients in mixing bowl and set aside. Whisk together wet ingredients and stir into dry ingredients. Lightly grease a skillet and cook over moderate heat. Use about 1/3 c. of batter per pancake. Turn when edges appear dry. Makes 16.
*Chef Pastry Mix/ Biscuit Mix
8 cups sifted, all-purpose flour
1 c. powdered milk
1 c. powdered buttermilk
¼ c. baking powder
1 T. salt
2 c. shortening or coconut oil*
Sift dry ingredients together 3 times. Cut in shortening or coconut oil to resemble cornmeal. Keep in an airtight container. Store in a cool dry place and use within six months.
* I use coconut oil and store in the fridge.
Wildwood Craft Show- This Sunday
I will be vending at the 35th annual Wildwood Holiday Display and Craft Show. It is held in the beautiful Wildwood Cultural Center- an old mansion. I will have my books and herb seasoning packets for sale along with jellies, beer bread mixes, bean soup mixes and more. This is a great show. The Wildwood Garden Club makes the most amazing fresh arrangements. Every year people line up at the door to rush in and get first choice of their work. I hope to see you there. Here is more info.
Over 25 local fine artists and crafters will be selling unique holiday crafts including wreaths & swags, ornaments, jewelry, baked goods and wood crafts. Wildwood Garden Club will sell live greenery, floral arrangements and centerpieces. Holiday music will be performed at 2 p.m. by The Wildwood Singers. For more info please call Wildwood Cultural Center at (440) 974-5735
New Day Cleveland Appearance
Cinnamon Ornaments
I was so happy to be asked back to be on New Day Cleveland today. The topic was Gifts from the Kitchen. I have to say that everyone at the studio is so kind and welcoming. Had a great time. Here it is.
http://fox8.com/2014/12/02/gifts-from-the-kitchen/
Cranberry- Raspberry Salad
Cranberry- Raspberry Salad
Some of the recipes we make for holidays have a special place in our hearts. There are recipes, in most every family, that just must be made for this or that holiday. For me, this salad in one of those recipes. I make it for Thanksgiving every year and for Christmas, too. When I was a kid we always had it for Thanksgiving dinner. The salad itself is a mixture of raspberries and cranberry orange relish- you can make your own or buy it already made. All by itself it would be just wonderful but to make it even better it is topped with a dressing made from several juices and eggs and whipped cream. If the only cranberry salad you ever have slides out of a can you will be surprised at just how wonderful a cranberry salad can be. Here is the recipe. I hope you’ll have occasion to try it soon.
Cranberry-Raspberry Salad
1 large box raspberry or cranberry gelatin
1 c. hot water
1 1/2 lbs. frozen raspberries, thawed
1 c. cranberry-orange relish – recipe follows
½ c. ginger ale
Dissolve gelatin in hot water. Fold in relish, but mix thoroughly. Gently fold in berries to avoid breaking them up. Stir in ginger ale and place salad in decorative mold and chill several hours or overnight. Make dressing.
To serve- dip mold into warm water for a few seconds and invert salad onto serving platter. If it doesn’t come right out dip it in the warm water a few more seconds. Be careful not to get water in the salad itself- only put the container about 3/4 of the way into the water. I usually just put some warm water in my sink and dip the mold in there. Serve with the dressing on the side.
Dressing
2 eggs
½ c. sugar
½ c orange juice
½ c. pineapple juice
2 T. flour
juice of half a lemon
1 c. whipping cream, whipped
Combine all ingredients, except whipped cream, in a saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Mixture should coat a spoon. Cool and chill. Fold cooled mixture into whipped cream. Serves 6-8
Cranberry-Orange Relish
12 oz. cranberries, rinsed and picked over
1 c. orange juice
1 T. grated orange peel
½ c. sugar, or to taste
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and cook, stirring often over medium heat. Cook until berries burst and mixture thickens, about 25 minutes, stirring more often as mixture thickens. Cool and chill. Makes about 2 cups.
Turkey Chili
Turkey Chili
If you find yourself with leftover turkey here is a fun recipe. It is easy to make and tastes good, too. I made it on top of the stove, but you could saute the onion and then transfer everything to a crock pot. Perfect to warm you up on a chilly day.
Turkey Chili
1 large onion, chopped
2 T. oil
2 ribs celery, sliced
1 sweet pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans lima beans, drained and rinsed
1 can ( 4 oz.) chopped green chilies
3-4 c. cubed turkey
2-3 c. stock- turkey or chicken
3 T. chili powder, or to taste
1 T. cumin, or to taste
Generous dash of hot sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh chopped cilantro
Toppings: Pick what you like. Some good toppers are shredded cheese, chopped green onions, salsa, sour cream or tortilla chips
.
In soup pot cook onion in oil until golden brown. Add the celery, peppers and chilies and cook 5 more minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients, except cilantro and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to medium and simmer until flavors blend, about 30 minutes but longer is fine. I usually cook it covered for 15 to 20 minutes and then remove the lid so it can thicken. Add the cilantro right before serving. Ladle into soup bowls add add toppings of your choice. Serves 6.
This recipe could also be made with chicken.
Sarah’s Overnight French Toast Bake
Overnight French Toast
On a recent visit to Michigan I got to do one of my favorite things- spend time with my family. My niece Sarah is always so much fun to be around and the visits are always too short. She is a great hostess and I enjoy her cooking almost as much as I enjoy seeing her. For breakfast on the morning I was leaving, Sarah made this great baked French toast dish that we topped with warm blueberry syrup. It was so flavorful, not too sweet and a special dish to serve for company. This is a great dish for when you are pressed for time. You assemble it the night before and then just bake it when needed. She said it was really easy to make and promised me the recipe. She also included the recipe for the warm blueberry syrup she served with it. So here is Sarah’s recipe. I loved it and I think you will, too.
Sarah’s Overnight French Toast Bake
10 cups cubed white bread (Sarah used Texas Toast)
8oz. cream cheese
8 large eggs
2/3 c. half and half
1½ c. milk
½ tsp. vanilla
Cream all together, except the bread. Put bread in 9×13 pan. Pour egg mixture over cubed bread. Cover and put in fridge overnight. Let stand at room temp for 1/2 an hour, put in 375 oven for 50 minutes. My lazy version ……take out of fridge, put in cold oven, turn oven on, set timer for one hour, go back to bed while breakfast cooks.
Blueberry Syrup
1 pint blueberries
1/2c sugar
2 -3 tbs corn starch
dash of lemon Juice
pinch of salt
Combine, cook, stirring often, until boiling.
