Tag Archives: The Gay Gourmet

National Cookie Week: Vermont Maple Cookies

I made these in March and shared them with friends. I was overwhelmed with the feedback I received. Everyone loved them, so I thought it appropriate to repost this recipe today for the final day of National Cookie Week. I really enjoyed researching recipes and preparing them this week. If not for Twitter and meeting The Gay Gourmet, I would never have pushed myself the way I did. Thank you! And thank you to everyone who sampled my cookies. Let’s do this again soon.

Maple Cookies

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set to the side. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla, once again mixing until smooth and light. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Add it in 2-3 increments, alternating by adding the maple syrup (begin and end with the flour mixture), stirring after each addition. Between additions, pause to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 1/2 inches around each cookie to allow for spreading. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until golden around the edges and with a dull finish on top. If desired sandwich two cookies with frosting of your choice in the middle to serve.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners’ sugar.

*Note- I cut this recipe in half. It produces more frosting than you will need for these cookies.

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National Cookie Week: Apricot, Cornmeal & Sage Cookies

It’s day 2 of National Cookie week, and I am featuring the cookie that tops Jon’s list: Apricot, Cornmeal & Sage. He calls it a “Grown-Up Cookie” and the folks in my office agree. The sweet and savory combination in these cookies, coupled with the texture of the cornmeal, makes for the perfect taste, the perfect ratio of crispy to chewy, and the perfect study-break treat.

Ingredients:

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened well
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage leaves
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°F. and lightly grease 2 baking sheets.

In a bowl whisk together butter, sugar, and egg until smooth. Sift in flour and baking soda and add apricots, sage, cornmeal, and salt, stirring until combined.

Drop tablespoons of dough about 1 inch apart onto baking sheets and bake in batches in middle of oven 10 minutes, or until pale golden. Cool cookies on sheets 2 minutes and transfer to a rack to cool.

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National Cookie Week: Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies

I am kicking off National Cookie Week with Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies, which sure were fun to make and turned out fabulously! I think the best part about this cookie is that you can choose which flavor of Jelly you want to use, even though the recipe suggests Grape Jelly. I chose Grape Just Fruit, which has a thicker consistency than jelly.

To learn more about National Cookie week, visit http://nationalcookieweek.tumblr.com/, created by The Gay Gourmet.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons grape jelly
Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

In a bowl whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda. In another bowl whisk together peanut butter, butter, and brown sugar until smooth and whisk in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture to peanut butter mixture, stirring until blended.

Roll pieces of dough into 1-inch balls and roll in granulated sugar. On a large baking sheet arrange balls 2 inches apart and bake in middle of oven 10 minutes. Working quickly, with the back of a 1/4-teaspoon measuring spoon make an indentation about 1/2 inch in diameter in center of each cookie. Fill each indentation with slightly heaping 1/4 teaspoon jelly and bake cookies 10 minutes more, or until golden. Transfer cookies to racks to cool.

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Let the Baking Begin

I am participating in National Cookie Week. I will post a cookie recipe a day for a week here starting tomorrow! Let the baking begin.

poster designed by Gerard Conte (www.gerardconte.com)

For more information, contact The Gay Gourmet on twitter @thegaygourmet, or check out his blog: http://hesthegaygourmet.blogspot.com/

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