Pie Fries with Strawberry Ketchup

“LEFTOVERS IN THEIR LESS VISIBLE FORM ARE CALLED MEMORIES.  STORED IN THE REFRIGERATOR OF THE MIND AND THE CUPBOARD OF THE HEART.”  Thomas Fuller

I often find that most food tastes better as leftovers, when it’s had time to sit and let the ingredients and flavors meld.  But what I am really finding, as I bake, is that an ingredient for one recipe often drives the idea for another.  I simply don’t want to waste, an often costly ingredient, and I want to use it up to the extent that I can.  And so this morning I was making a pâte sucrée for another recipe.  And I decided to turn the scraps into these delicious little cookies to be dipped in the leftover strawberry jam that I made from my Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream. 

Honestly, these were so surprisingly good, I’d consider making sweet pastry crust just for the purpose of making a big batch of these cookies!  Or if you need a quick and easy dessert, you could even buy the pie crust dough, roll it, cut it and toss a little sprinkling sugar before baking for about 15 minutes.  Serve with your favorite jam for dipping.  I’ll never throw out those scraps again!

 

Mandarin Orange & Pistachio Meringues

“THE AIR UP THERE IN THE CLOUDS IS VERY PURE AND FINE, BRACING AND DELICIOUS.  AND WHY SHOULDN’T IT BE?  IT IS THE SAME THE ANGELS BREATHE.”  Mark Twain

There was a time when I dreamed about traveling state to state, stopping off to see a baseball game played in every stadium in the country.  Well that dream has changed only slightly.  I would much rather travel the country visiting bakeries!  Have you seen the show Unique Sweets?  Well they often have a theme for each show, but they basically feature several bakeries across the country and one of the sweets that they are famous for.  One show featured the bakery, Proof, in Los Angeles.  And one of the things Proof is known for are these meringues which are about the size of your hand and filled with flavor!  They offer chocolate and pistachio, citrus and coconut, and strawberry.  What fascinated me is that the strawberry was made with dehydrated strawberries.  So I did my best to recreate these using….. [Read more...]

Coconut & Salted Caramel Thumbprints

“WHAT YOU LOVE IS AS UNIQUE TO YOU AS YOUR FINGERPRINTS.”  Barbara Sher

I have never read any of the books written by Barbara Sher.  But I do agree with her belief that nothing will make you really happy but doing what you love.  We change so much as people over time.  Growth…..sometimes painful, but always a good thing!  And sometimes there are aspects of ourselves that have remained the same. I know that I have enjoyed writing since I was in the 7th grade!  And I still do!  And yet, it seems I’ve had to experience half of my life to realize how much I love to bake!  Thumbprint cookies are pretty common.  But it’s what you do to them that makes them unique to you.  And for me, that can only mean one thing….. [Read more...]

Cranberry Cherry Ribbons

“A GUEST NEVER FORGETS THE HOST WHO HAD TREATED HIM KINDLY.”  Homer

I never bake (or eat!) so many cookies as I do around Christmas time!  And every season I always try something new.  So I was thrilled when Jen at The Three Little Piglets invited me to do a guest post for her Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies series!  Jen’s been featuring great tips on baking, wrapping and cookie making, along with some fabulous giveaways!  I really feel honored to be in such great company with Jen and her other guests as they present some awesome cookie recipes.  Please head on over to The Three Little Piglets to wish Jen a Merry Christmas, and to get the recipe………… [Read more...]

Stuffed Sugar Cookies

Well this is my first assignment as a member of The Secret Recipe Club!  I think this is such a great way to learn about blogs that are new, at least to me, and to hopefully get some new ideas and make some new friends along the way.  This recipe comes from Meagan at A Zesty Bite.  She has a very eclectic recipe collection, from appetizers to entrees and everything in between.  Naturally, I chose something sweet!  Meagan featured a Stuffed Sugar Cookie recipe that she had stuffed with rolo candies.  I had some Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate and Caramel Squares that I wanted to incorporate into this recipe somehow.  So I made just a few changes.  I chilled the dough for about 15 minutes after making it to be able to roll it out to a square.  And because I was starting with a thinner cookie shape, I reduced my oven to 350°F and baked them about 5 minutes longer.  And to give a hint as to the luscious treat inside, I topped them with chocolate sprinkles before baking and then grated some chilled caramel candies onto them right when they came out of the oven!  Thanks to Meagan at A Zesty Bite for the inspiration and recipe to a really yummy sugar cookie! [Read more...]

Chocolate Mint Thumbprints

Another delicious recipe from BAKED SUNDAY MORNINGS!  These cookies are not just for the holidays anymore.  A nice, light minty chocolate cookie filled with peppermint white chocolate.  I ran out of clear rolling sugar so I improvised with some colored sugar, non pareils and chocolate jimmies (that’s what we call chocolate sprinkles in New England!)  These are easy and fun to make.  Since the recipe calls for you to press your ‘thumbprint’ twice; once halfway through the baking!!!….I decided to use the rounded edge of the handle of one of my whisks.  And I really think you could adapt both the cookie and the filling to accommodate any occasion.  Leave out the minty flavor and use coffee or raspberry or rum; add the same flavors to the filling or use dark chocolate ganache or caramel!  The variations for flavors and decorations are endless!  On a scale of 1-5, I am giving this 4 whisks! [Read more...]

Chocolate with Carmelized White Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

“C IS FOR COOKIE.  THAT’S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.”  Cookie Monster

I have been thinking lately.  Since my blog focuses primarily on desserts, I feel compelled to try to post things that are a little different or out of the box in some way.  We all have our own great tried and true recipes for the perfect chocolate chip cookie, or that fabulous brownie.  And we all have our family recipes that we will stick to no matter what!  I may love the taste of your apple pie. And you may love the taste of mine. But come the holidays….we’re probably going to make our own apple pies.  Unless…..there is a twist!  And so it is with these seemingly simple chocolate sandwich cookies!  I’m sure everyone reading this has a good one in their repertoire.  So I thought I’d offer you a technique that I have tried for the first time.  And it’s one that I’m sure you can adapt to many other recipes. You see…..that gorgeous filling in between the cookies is none other than carmelized white chocolate! Find out how to do this and what other fabulous ingredients give it this wonderful color and texture….. [Read more...]

Sunflower Seed Cookies

“EVERY FRIEND TO THE OTHER IS A SUN, AND A SUNFLOWER ALSO.  HE ATTRACTS AND FOLLOWS.”  Jean Paul Richter

Some days we could all use a little self imposed sunshine.  Such was my day today!  And while I didn’t intend on baking and posting today, a quick trip to the market had me gazing upon these enormous sunflowers and just smiling!  Plus….they were on sale!  While these are not my most favorite flower, when I see them…..it’s like looking at a huge smiley face ….and I can almost hear them telling me….“Have a nice day!”  And then I knew I wanted to bake a batch of sunflower seed cookies!  The best part of a chocolate chip cookie for me is the cookie flavor itself.  I swear I could bake them plain without the chips!  And so I wanted to use a similar cookie base.  But I just had to add something special….. [Read more...]

Chocolate Orange Pots de Creme with Sugared Shortbread Spoons

“HAPPINESS.  SIMPLE AS A GLASS OF CHOCOLATE OR TORTUOUS AS THE HEART.  BITTER.  SWEET.  ALIVE.”  Joanne Harris (Chocolat)

Well, I have to give a shout out and a special thank you to Elle at Bromography for the reminder that today is National Pots de Creme Day!!!  Elle writes a wonderfully eclectic blog which features restaurant & food reviews, food facts, recipes and special features and events in her community!  Though she is based in NYC, I really enjoy reading her.  I think you will, too!  So while browsing her blog, be sure to check out her article about  National Pots de Creme DayWoo Hoo!  This is one holiday that I am more than happy to celebrate!

Today, I made  chocolate orange pots de creme.  It’s just a combination that I really enjoy.  (Chocolate and raspberries take a close second!)  I love these creamy pots so much!  They look like they have the texture of a cake.  A lovely cross between a custard and a souffle.  Deceptively creamy!  And very rich and soul satisfying!  Since I have this fetish for being able to eat every aspect of my dessert, I also made…….. [Read more...]

Macarons Au Cafe-Creme

“THOUGH THIS BE MADNESS, YET THERE IS A METHOD.”  William Shakespeare

Well this is my first attempt at making macarons!  You know, for such a perfect little cookie, you hear so many horror stories about how difficult it is to make them!  But actually, it really wasn’t so difficult after all.  You simply must follow the instructions as exactly as you can.  I let my egg whites age for several days.  I measured everything (in grams)!  I even purchased thermometers for both ovens!  The only thing I would do differently is pipe them smaller.  (I know my piping skills are sorely lacking, so I should have measured here, too)!

But all the effort you will put forth will be worth it.  This delicately sweet, chewy cookie filled with rich coffee cream is like no other baked good in all this world!  While my first love is for cupcakes, I believe I am developing a passion for these amazing and special little cookies!  And I can see how some are inspired, by the most ordinary visual stimulus, to create these little sensations!  The possibilities are endless!  And here’s how you can be inspired, too…….. [Read more...]