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 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!

Day 4: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Rounds

Today was spent cleaning up downstairs, which also meant finishing up decorating.

The tree is up and decorated with blue, gold, and shades of silver balls, and glittering reindeer. Now all it needs is a skirt and a topper.

Finally, when I was done stringing cranberries for the stair case, and hanging lights outside, and wrapping ribbon around banasters, did I get down to cookie making business.

This recipe is from one of my favorite Better Homes and Garden's Christmas cookie editions. I refer to my tatters 1996 edition as The Holy Grail of Cookies and with reason; not only are there traditional recipes in this book, there are loads of unique recipes.

My family has been using this magazine for at least the last 10 years every Christmas, and sometimes in the off season.

Now that the house is clean (except for that mound of dishes in the sink I dare not tackle tonight), I can enjoy a plate of cookies before G eats them all!

Day 3: Chocolate Espresso Biscuits

Today I got home a little late from visiting my family, and hurriedly threw this recipe together in my mix master.

Then, G comes home and peeks over my shoulder at the magazine sprawled open on the counter. "No peanut butter?!"

When I first mentioned my 25 days of cookies challenge, he asked, "Where did you get that idea from?"

"Nowhere, I thought it up myself."

"Yeah? So like, a cookie a day 'til Christmas?"

"Yes, a cookie a day."

"Honey, maybe you should do this next year when you're not still in school..."

"What do you mean? I can totally do this!"

"You don't handle stress well. Remember this summer? You were a lot nicer..."

Ouch. "Yeah... well cooking relaxes me..." And with that I talked him into this project of mine, with the promise that we would give cookies out to friends, family, and coworkers.

So far, this has held true; I took cookies to work and to my mom's place. But I also promised him peanut-buttery chocolate-y goodness. You see, G has simple but particular tastes. Not all cookies have been created equal, and peanut butter reigns supreme, with chocolate chip coming in close second place. Sometimes white chocolate chip macadamia nut can sneak in... as long as it is minus the macadamia nuts.

There's currently a stack of 6 magazines on the table next to me... maybe I'll get started on deciding what will thrill his taste buds within these constraints.

-A