Showing posts with label Cookies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cookies. Show all posts

Friday, January 2, 2015

The Almond, a healthy nut!




Do you like almonds?  We know how healthy they are as snacks or added 
to salads and veggie dishes, but sometimes isn't it nice to bake them in a cake 
or cookie, and add a little buttery sweetness to an afternoon cup of tea or coffee.
These are SO good but I usually only bake them at Christmas, or for special 
occasions because, I confess here, I eat far too many of them!
First time baking these may seem a little weird - the spreading and patting with 
your nice scrubbed clean hands. It's really an easy recipe though so give them a try.



ALMOND BAR COOKIES

8 oz. salted butter                                
1 cup granulated sugar                Cream together well in electric mixer
1 egg yolk (save the white)        

Add 2 cups all-purpose flour and 3 teaspoons of pure almond extract. Mix gently until dough forms. Divide into two and spread/pat out very thinly with hands to completely cover two very lightly buttered 15" X 10" cookie sheets with rims. Spread roughly at this point - it will smooth out later. Lightly beat the egg white, divide in half over each cookie sheet and spread over the dough with hands (this will smooth it out!).  
Sprinkle generously with sliced almonds.  
Bake at 250F (very slow) for approx. 30-40 mins. (I find darker pans seem to take less time than shiny ones) or until lightly browned - watch carefully toward end of baking time, cookies should not be over-baked or dark.
Slice while hot, cool about 10 mins. then remove to wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight tin - they freeze well too.

Makes about 4 doz. delicious cookies.


Sunday, December 21, 2014

Here comes Santa Claus. . . . . .




Do you shop at Aldi? I do quite often because besides great fresh produce, 
often locally grown, I find fabulous food items from Europe, especially 
now for the Christmas season-------and where else can you find a good
New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for just $6.99?

Aldi is part of the Trader Joe group, but prices are much lower. Being somewhat 
bare bones doesn't bother me - the staff are helpful and everything moves along 
at a fast clip. No free bags, I take my own, and no credit cards, so I have 
to remember to go with cash as I don't do debit. Kinda the old-fashioned way
of grocery shopping, and you leave the store with quite a lot for your money.

This past week you might have seen these large German made Choceur 
brand chocolate Santas, 10" tall/7.5oz, and just $1.99 each. 
I purchased several. They make a great decoration - and mine will be 
tucked into some special Christmas stockings soon-------to save Santa 
some work as he surely has enough to do!

I'm off to bake more almond cookies now - I bet many of you are
doing something similar in your holiday kitchen today.  Enjoy!