Day 25: Rugelach

Dum da da DUM! Christmas is here, the 25th day of the cookie bake has come to an end!

It's been a long journey, and almost an increase in pant-size (almost!). This entry marks a temporary end to my baking insanity, however, I'm sure by Valentines day rolls around I will be itchin' to bake chocolate lava muffins.


Nevertheless, rugalech makes a very special holiday treat. What do you get when you roll pice crust lined with apricot jam, crushed walnuts, and sprinkled with sugar?

A delicious bite of heaven.

This recipe was very easy to make. I used my Grandmother's pice crust recipe, instead of what Food Network called for, which was packaged pie crust. Layering apricot game and nuts, then rolling the triangles over, you end up with a delicious little cookie!




Christmas was very fun. I had 2 Christmas' this year, and now after washing dishes (only a total of 1 times today, luckily) this Whitehall Sauvignon Blanc capping off the evening nicely.

I'm very lucky to have wonderful family, friends, and a wonderful home to call my own (filled with two little fuzzy friends, and a great guy).


Today, my dogs made out to be very lucky girls. I'll be posting pics of goodies my sister made for them (All from The California Chi).


But for now, it's time to sit and enjoy some sweets and wine.


A

Day 24: Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe for Perfect Chocolate Chip cookies was given to me by one of my coworkers.

It is one of the most amazing chocolate chip cookies I have ever eaten. This cookie is about as big as my hand. Its title is suiting; it is perfect in taste, texture, and chewy-ness!


Tomorrow is the big day, the last day in 25 days of cookie baking madness!



I have been a crafty lady; taking advantage of not only recipes in these magazines, but projects. As shown below, I made a styrofoam wreath for my front door, with styrofoam balls (sprayed with artificial snow) and a florist bow. I think it turned out pretty neat!

My mom is the master of decorating. I get a lot of inspiration from her. This year, she used a lot of red in her decorating theme:



I love these vintage paper angels and houses. She used a terrarium here, with snow padding. World Market and Twee Boutique are both carrying these paper houses. But you can also find patterns online to make them yourself!

Every year she decorates artificial branches with lights, flowers and ornaments. It's beautiful above the mantle.
Above the dinnertable is a this light fixture. My sister helped my Mom decorate it, and turn it into a condensed "tree" with balls hanging below it. I loveeeeeeeee what they did.


Even outside is complete with wreaths and berries, everywhere!






Even her potting bench is decked out! I love how she covers every nook and crannies with something festive.


As you may have guessed, some cookies over the last 3 days looked like they were made at the cookie baking party. This was the case, I was out of town for a few days but had to live up to my 25 cookies in 25 days plan!


G and I went to Las Vegas for a few days; I thought it was to pick his brother up from the terminal there, and show him the city for a few days. It still was the case, but G proposed to me 2 hours before his brother landed. We had a fancy dinner at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris hotel and I sat directly in front of the Bellagio light show fountains. He had me look out the window and when I turned around to face him again, I found a ring in my plate. I was speechless, so I kissed him, and held back tears of joy. Needless to say, this was one of the most romantic nights of my life. A 6 course meal and a bottle of champaign, plus several phone calls to our family members ensued. As far as I am concerned, this is the best Christmas gift ever :)

Day 23: Molasses Creams

Taste of Home's Molasses Creams are my dad's favorite, and a yearly tradition for the last 3 years.

I like to drizzle the frosting as opposed to pour it all over the cookie; it helps the icing dry faster, and is less messy in cookie tins.

It seems all the Christmas prepping is caught up with. Just going to my mom's tomorrow to cooks some things in advance. All of the gifts are wrapped, the house is spic and span, and G is happy that his brother is visiting this Christmas, his fourht Christmas on the west coast.


I made both of the boys stockings with felt cutouts (and the help of my sister's sewing machine and steady hand!), with traditional Christmas icons (a tree, snowman) and some things they enjoy (a steak and football).

I've filled them with fun things I know they both will like, (mini sausages, and chocolates, not together of course!)

It's simple projects like this that make the season fun and personal.

2 Days away, and 2 cookies left :)


-A

Day 22: Gingerbread Cookie Dough

This recipe is actually a doubled version of the original 1996 Holy Grail of cookie compilations!


Gingerbread is the epitome of holiday cookies. Baking is not complete until we've made gingerbread men, houses, and even sometimes doggies.



Gingerbread cut outs are an undying tradition in my home. It's really hard to eat what we decorate, because they're so cute to look at.... but they do all get eaten before January 1st.... when resolutions start!


-A

Day 21: Sugar Cookies

Once again I fall back to the holy grail of Christmas cookies: Better Home and Gardens 1996 Christmas cookie edition.


This dough closely resembles the one I follow, however, I use all butter, and the version I have calls for 1/3 cup of each of the fats (so I use 2/3 cups of butter).

However, for these cookies, my friend Laura followed a recipe called "Be a Star Cookies"

I am not sure of her source, so I am re-posting the recipe:

3 1/3 c flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 can sweetened condensed milk (or you can follow Paula Deen's recipe here)
3/4 c margarine or butter
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla



I like how these cookies didn't spread, but rose.

We had alot of fun decorating all the cookies at the cookie baking party. We followed this Royal Icing recipe @ Cupcakes and Cashmere, and used sprinkles and the caramel sauce I made for the Dutch Stroopwafels.

The best part of cookie baking is decorating the cookies. It doesn't feel like Christmas until you bust out the sprinkles!


-A

Day 20: Classic Shortbread (Hearts!)

I have a new cookie love! I took Food Networks Classic Shortbread recipe and turned it into heart cutouts... and jazzed it up with some chocolate dipping!



G ended up taking these to work. He sent me a text in the afternoon saying that the plate was spotless in no time!


The chocolate gaze was all eyeball measurements. I melted semisweet chocolate chips with a splash of cream and a pad of butter. It's a nice buttery complement to the shortbread, which is flaky, like a goooooooood pie crust.


I think these would also make an outstanding Valentines day treat!



-A

Day 19: Lemon Poppy Seed Slices

Lemon Poppy Seed Slices are a new cookie tradition that started at last years Annual Cookie Bake. We soon discovered that they tasted amazing paired with blackberry jam. I like these cookies because they are multi seasonal, and would be outstanding paired with iced tea in the summertime.


It's very exciting to be out of school, though I still feel like I should be studying for something. One more semester ahead of me, then I am a real adult, in the real world. . . . and I wont have to feel guilty about baking instead of opening up a text book!

Yesterday was an amazingly fun day; 12 hours spent with friends, family, and my guy. It's really amazing to have a lot of people you care about crammed in one room together, having a great time.

This is definitely a tradition that we will be keeping :); baking, laughing, and loving.

-A

Day 18: Persimmon Cookies

Today was our 2nd annual cookie baking party. The kitchen in my tiny townhouse was packed with 4 bodies at a time, mixing, stirring, washing dishes, and poppin' sweetness in the oven. There was a total of 9 people other than G and I in my humble abode today. But it felt nice, having my very close friends and family over, to share in the craziness of a cookie bake, and the background noise of Mario Party and Mario Kart and Wii Sports in the background.

My mom and sister divulged several childhood stories, some already told and some new to thoroughly embarrass me. But hey, what's family for? At heart, it's all a good laugh, and good times, and when you have friends in your like that have been there for you for years, it's all good times.


One of the recipes made one the holiday classic (and staple in out home); Persimmon cookies. This recipe is from my grandmother's cook book and has been in the family for years. It's not autumn unless my grandma's cokkies are made.

There are some things you taste, and a a bubble of your childhood flashes before your mind's eye. In this bubble you can taste everything that you remember, that was happy, that made you smile. And by the time you're done eating the cookie, you took a trip down memory lane.

This is what holidays should always be.

-A

Day 17: Cheesy Dog Biscuits

The holidays are a time to think of everyone, including your pets.... and your friends pets. I saw this recipe in Country Living's Dec 2009 issue and thought I'd give it a try.

They smelled very good when they came out of the oven, like a cheddar biscuit. So ... G and I both had one. Needless to say there is no reason why you can't enjoy one of these with your pup!

All that's in them is cheese, butter, and flour, baked to perfection.

I can't wait to hand these out at the gift exchange coming up.

-A

Day 16: Dutch Stroopwafles

Anytime I can whip out my Pizzel machine, is a good time.

Unfortunately, Better Homes and Garden's no longer has this recipe on their website. But I found a similar one here!.

In this instance, I made my own caramel sauce filling (that would also go great over icecream!) For the caramel filling, I followed this recipe here. No candy thermometer required; just 3 easy ingredients: sugar, butter, and cream.

It can easily be stored in a bottle in your fridge for later use (the ice cream sundae possibilities are endless! or even drizzled over cheesecake... wow, that would be delicious!)

Today is a nice day. It's nice because I took my last final (Federal Income Tax), and I am free, free, free for a whole month! I must say, knowing that you have nothing to do, but go home and bake cookies, is a joy.

I did run several errands today, and yes, found a star for the tree!
I also found this adorable mushroom ornament at World Market today:

I guess I'm going for glittery and whimsical? My decorations are a bit eclectic.... but full of cheer!

-A

Day 15: Pignoli Cookies

Giada de Laurentis is my hero. She is to me, what Julia was to Julie. Seriously. Her recipes are light, easy, and phenomenal.

Pignoli (or pine nut) cookies are a a most recent holiday staple. In reality, I usually only make 5-6 different cookies come Christmas time (peanut butter, chewy chocolate gingerbread, pignoli and yet to come molasses rounds, sugar cookies, gingerbread men). This recipe has become a holiday classic in my family.

Now we're 10 days away from completing my cookie mission and 10 days away from Christmas. So far on my list of things to do: get a star for my tree, take my last final, get ready for Saturday's 2nd Annual Cookie Baking Party (yes, it's a tradition in the making!), and clean the guest bedroom for G's brother's 2 week stay.

A few days ago, this cookie bake was getting stressful. Now that there's less things going on, it's back to the relaxing joys of hanging out in the kitchen... and having a bite of something sweet.


-A

Day: 14 Bullseye Cookies

Bullseye Cookies are not an easy cookie to make; as you can see mine look more like abstract art...but fortunately taste very good (being a sugar cookie and chocolate cookie dough).

11 days of cookies left in the countdown! It's amazing how time flies when you're baking cookies. I have 2 finals left, to find a star to find for my tree, stockings to embroider, and to clean up my study/file papers. Its not a long list but still a list.

At least baking is fun :)

Day 13: Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread

Martha Stewart really knew what she was doing when she made these babies. Every year my sister and I devour a batch of this recipe before we even compile our cookie tins.

If you love gingerbread and chocolate, then nothing is really better than a hot, gooey, chocolate gingerbread cookie.

Today was the gift exchange at work. My department is the coolest department; I've been at my current job for the last 5 Christmas, and every year the mound of gifts under out Christmas tree grows and grows. We really get into the spirit of giving!


Now as I am facing piles and piles of cookies, giving out cookie tins seem to be the only solution to this madness!

I love the holidays :)

Day 12: Cinnamon-Sugar Rolls

Food network put this recipe out last year. Last year I only made half the recipe, and I did it with my grandmother's pie crust vs the store bought dough.

O.M.G. These cookies are not to sweet, but very addicting. You can do it the way the recipe calls for, or you can make your own pie dough with:

1 stick of butter
1 1/2 cups flour
and 3 tablespoons of water (you may not need all 3, or a little more than 3, depending on how the dough comes together and the humidity/temperature of your kitchen!)

I let the dough chill for a few hours. It's important, has something to do with the elasticity of the dough... perhaps the gluten? But I'm no Alton Brown. Just know that it is important.

Spread with creamed butter, and sprinkle on sugar and cinnamon, and viola! Sweet, yet savory perfection!

Day 11: Split Second Cookies

Split Second Cookies are one of my favorite cookies to make every Christmas. I am a big fan of thumbprint cookies, but these definitely take the cake [or cookie!].


I usually send these to my dad in a cookie tin. It's really fun because each log (see recipe) I make with a different jam. You can never have too many options!

The best jams to use are apricot and blackberry; blackberry is the ultimate jam. The cookie itself is a soft and flakey short bread... these cookies are too perfect to pass up!

-A

Day 10: Peanut Butter Cookies

Another recipe from the Holy Grail of Cookie magazines, these Peanut Butter cookies steal your heart and your taste buds.

This cookie is notorious for sitting on your counter and falling victim to the "walk by snatch". This occurs when every time you enter the kitchen, or are near the kitchen, you grab a cookie. And another cookie. And another. Until your pants are really tight, and you have no more cookies.

But... they are so worth it ;-)

Day 9: Checkerboard Cookies

Martha Stewart's Checkerboard Cookies are so cute in the picture, but an unattainable goal that I did not achieve.

I don't know if it's the humidity of my kitchen, or lack there of, but the dough refused to come together. Martha, where did I go wrong?

Been contemplating dipping these babies in chocolate; chocolate makes everything better, from taste, to physical appearance... but that requires too much effort, so we'll just eat the cookies with milk and closed eyes ;-)

Day 8: Coconut Macaroons

Not much was accomplished today, but a lot was attempted. After work, I spent time at my mom's pulling Christmas wrappings and gift fixin's. The gift exchange in my department is coming up early this year, and I want to wrap my gifts so that they can be displayed a few days before opening [ unlike previous years where I hurriedly throw them together the night before, finger's crossed that they pass for cute].

Meanwhile, my mom started cutting off some branches from her Modesto Ash and Rose of Sharon tree/shrub. The plan was to douse them in glitter and stick them into my tree. Of course, this isn't turning out as expected, and G is being a Negative Nancy about how the tree looks:



Personally, I think it looks neat. It just needs a star or a point to really top it off.... and a skirt with presents stacked on top!


8 days in to the cookie challenge now; it's getting hard! The action of baking is fun and stress relieving, but the action of eating.... I am getting all sweeted-out! These macaroons are actually not so sweet but still decadent.


Coconut macaroon's turned out to be really simple to make and didn't require many ingredients other than eggs, sugar, and coconuts! This recipe was from Food Network Magazine, Dec 2009. Chocolate really jazzes this recipe up, and you can melt it with a double boiler to get it to the right consistency. This is definitely one of those recipes that looks fancy, but is a piece of cake to make!

Day 7: Snickerdoodles

Let's be honest. This is getting hard. Not so much the action of baking, but the action of EATING all of these cookies, is wearing on me. I've had to start exercising to not feel like a cookie sloth!


Today was snickerdoodle day, who can resist snickerdoodle? Not this girl; she ate four hot, fresh, snickerdoodle!

I need to give these cookies away; so far family and coworkers have reaped the pleasures of infinite cookies, but I think I need to pay a visit to my girlfriends to give them a taste of this cookie madness.

Edit: Just shot out of bed, (as I was reading the newest December edition of Better Homes and Garden's special edition Christmas baking), realizing I didn't post a link to tonight's recipe. That just wont do! You can find this lovely recipe here

Day 6: Easy Whoopie Pies

Today, I committed a desert sin. I cheated on cupcakes. I think I have a new favorite desert, but luckily, whoopie pies are just as cute as cupcakes, and super fun to say!

These Whoopie Pies are so easy to make. I never was really a fan of whoopie pies, and have noticed the gradual hype (whoopie pie pans at Sur La Table have taken off to all other department stores). But they could not win me over! Cupcakes are my true passion! Until now....

If you have never experienced a warm whoopie pie sandwich, melting with marshmallow, you need to put it on your bucket list. Yes, it's that toe-curling delicious.

The recipe called for marshmallows, which I misread for marshmallow fluff.... which is a total mess. Also, I am a food snob, and preffer to avoid things with "high fructose corn syrup", but being that I am baking every single day for 19 more days, I do not feel up to making a fresh batch of marshmallows.... yet. So I took this recipe a step further and introduced Nutella in the mix.

Nutella, nutella, silky nutella, mixed with fluffy marshmallows makes a rich fluffy treat pressed between two chocolate cookie cakes.

You'll easily want to make a double batch of these whoopie pies; I am afraid I might eat the whole plate tonight!