Tag: Holiday Cookies

White Chocolate, Cranberry and Apple Oatmeal Cookies

White Chocolate, Cranberry and Apple Oatmeal Cookies ~ This is a seasonal holiday cookie that is always in my Christmas cookie lineup.

White Chocolate, Cranberry and Apple Oatmeal Cookies
White Chocolate, Cranberry and Apple Oatmeal Cookies

During the season I give my traditional oatmeal cookie a quick change out with some cranberries and chopped apples for a holiday makeover.  Of course I could make this year around, but I like to keep some things seasonal for tradition.

This year I have to admit, my cookie box tradition is looking kind of anemic. I haven’t baked as many cookies as I usually do.  And so of course having a tendency for maniac episodes of obsessive behavior, I have been fretting that my blogging mania has hindered my annual cookie box fest.

Yes, there I said it, obsessive behavior. I love baking and always have, add blogging to the equation and it pushes me to learn more and do more. But it’s the photography portion of it that makes me obsessive.

Continue reading White Chocolate, Cranberry and Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies ~These are one of my favorite Christmas cookies. I love the beautiful snowy white layer of powdered sugar crackled against a black chocolatey background.  These cookies are as beautiful as they are yummy. Wrapped in a crisp exterior these crinkle cookies have a chewy brownie-like inside and for some added holiday cheer I kicked up this classic holiday cookie recipe with some peppermint flavoring.

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

I don’t know about you, but I love the holidays. I love the Christmas music, the food, the baking, the decorating and the wrapping. What I don’t like is any stress or drama related to it. So a while back I started shopping early. By that I mean July-early so that by Halloween I’m 90% done. The last ten percent is reserved for last minute Cyber Monday deals.

I know, annoyingly anal, right? But hey, it works for me. Life can be stressful enough that I try to minimize the stresses that I can control. That means shopping early and preparing holiday food that can be completed the night before and reheated the day of. Before you go sighing on me, I should mention – I don’t do turkey or ham. I do everything but, like appetizers, side dishes and desserts. So whether I’m hosting or traveling this allows me to enjoy family and friends.

Continue reading Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

Cook’s Illustrated Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

I finally found it – my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe goes to Cook’s Illustrated Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies.  

Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies BakersRoyale 1024x1024 Cooks Illustrated Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

I wanted the perfect chocolate chip cookie with a crispy edge and chewy center for texture, while the flavor needed to have a soft buttery toffee-like flavor that would not overwhelm the chocolate chips. After baking more than a hundred cookies, I realized there are as many ways to make a chocolate chip cookie as there are stars in a galaxy.

I’m sure if my Kitchen Aid could speak it would have told me to shove it with my quest for the perfect chocolate chip cookie.

Marching on without my Kitchen Aid by my side, I decided to opt for a recipe that required no room temping butter and no creaming. In fact, according to the recipe the instructions calls for melted the butter. Skeptical but willing I followed the directions. Along the way I was certain the cookies would end up straight in the trash bin and not the cookie jar. Melted butter usually means flat round discs rather than nice shapely cookies.

To my surprise and relief, here’s what I found. . . . Continue reading Cook’s Illustrated Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

Related Posts with Thumbnails