I find it hard to believe I never posted theses Black Chocolate Cookies. They are among our favorite 5… um… 6…um… 10, yeah thats the ticket. They are among our 10 favorite cookies.
KAB says “black cocoa powder is ultra-Dutch processed, meaning it is treated with an alkaline solution to reduce its acidity. This gives it a smooth texture, dark color, and unsweetened-chocolate highlights.”
Whatever the reason, we really, really, really like these cookies.
Black Chocolate Cookies
INGREDIENTS • 1 ½ cups (195g) AP flour • ¾ cup (70g) unsweetened black cocoa powder • 1 teaspoon baking soda • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt • ½ teaspoon espresso powder • 1 stick (110g) unsalted butter, room temperature • ¾ cup (150g) sugar • 1 large egg • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla • 1 teaspoon molasses
METHOD
In a large bowl, vigorously whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder.
Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, (2-3 min on medium.)
Beat in the egg, vanilla, and molasses.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet in 3 additions. When well mixed, remove the dough from the mixer, and form it into a ball. It should have the consistency of soft clay. If it’s stiff and unmanageable, massage some water into it, a tablespoon at a time until easily pliable.
Wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
When you are ready to roll-out the dough, preheat the oven to 350°F (175° C). Break off a chunk of dough from the ball of dough (about a quarter of it) and place it between two pieces of parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
Use a cookie cutter or the rim of a small glass to cut out cookie shapes from the rolled out dough. Place on a parchment paper or silicone-lined baking sheet, allowing at least 1 inch between cookies on the cookie sheet.
Bake at 350°F (175° C) in the middle rack for 12 to 14 minutes, less or more, depending on the size and thickness of the cookies.
The cookies should bounce back when you press on their centers and be a little dark around the edges. When cool, they should be crispy.
Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before removing the cookies from the tray to cool on a rack.
It was a great vacation, returning to my native Vermont. I love my family and friends, but am happy back in Dede’s Bakery.
I needed a loaf of bread so made our favorite Artisan No-Knead Bread, and while it was rising and baking I made a batch of Sally’s Striped Fudge Cookie Sandwiches. I saw this recipe on the flight home and it instantly jumped to the top of my “to-do” list. What’s great about this recipe is the cookie is a perfect carrier for whatever filling you want. This one is chocolate, but a berry/fruit or fig jam.
INGREDIENTS • 281 (2 ¼ c) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed for rolling and work surface • ½ tsp baking powder • ¼ tsp salt • 170g (¾ c = 12 Tbl) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature • 150g (¾ c) granulated sugar • 1 large egg, at room temperature • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract Chocolate Ganache + Topping • 170g (6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped and divided • 45g (3 Tbl) heavy cream • Optional: if needed to thin out topping: splash vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
METHOD To make the cookies:
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
In a large bowl using a handheld or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl and beat again as needed to combine.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. Dough will be a bit soft. If the dough seems too soft and sticky for rolling, add 1 more Tablespoon of flour.
Divide the dough into 2 equal parts. Place each portion onto a piece of lightly floured parchment paper or a lightly floured silicone baking mat. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use more flour if the dough seems too sticky. The rolled-out dough can be any shape, as long as it is evenly 1/4-inch thick.
Lightly dust one of the rolled-out doughs with flour. Place a piece of parchment on top. (This prevents sticking.) Place the 2nd rolled-out dough on top. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours and up to 2 days.
Once chilled, preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Remove one of the slabs of dough from the refrigerator and, using a 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut into circles. Re-roll the remaining slab and continue cutting until all is used. Repeat with second slab of dough. You should have about 64 circles. Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter, cut a hole into the center of 32 of them. Let’s call these 32 cookies the “donut cookies” because of that center hole. Place the whole circles and the donut cookies on separate baking sheets (because the donut cookies take 1 less minute to bake), placing all cookies 2 inches apart from one another.
Bake the whole circles for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges, and the donut cookies for about 9 minutes. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through bake time. Remove from the oven. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before assembling.
To make the ganache:
Place 85g (3 oz) of chopped chocolate for the ganache into a small heatproof bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once cream begins to boil, immediately remove from heat and pour over the chocolate. Stir gently and slowly until the ganache is smooth. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes before adding to cookies. During this time, it will slowly thicken.
Once the ganache is ready, spread about ½ teaspoon on each whole circle. Carefully top each with a donut cookie and press down gently to create a cookie sandwich.
To make the topping:
Melt the remaining chopped chocolate in the microwave in 15-second increments, stopping and stirring after each until completely smooth. Add a splash of vegetable oil or melted coconut oil if chocolate isn’t thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle over each sandwich. Allow chocolate to set completely, about 30 minutes.
Cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
QC and I rarely have desserts out, but last week it was included in our meal, so what’s a person to do? We had “pizookies” at BJ’s and I instantly thought: “You know, this could be even better if….”
I made my chocolate and raspberry brownie tart free standing, not in a tin. I also add raspberry Jammie bits to the batter, raspberry coulis and whole raspberries because, as you might guess, I like raspberries.
The amount of raspberry stood up to the otherwise overwhelming dominant chocolate. I also made the hot fudge, caramel sauce and coulis.
Tart Ring and FoilFoil Wrapped RingBaked Brownie BaseGanache Covered BrownieRaspberry Coulis on Ganache Coated BrownieChocolate and Raspberry Brownie Tart with Raspberry Coulis, Hot Fudge and Caramel Sauce Drizzles.
Chocolate And Raspberry Brownie Tart
INGREDIENTS BROWNIES • 2 large eggs • ½ cup + 2 Tbl dark cocoa • ½ tsp salt • ½ tsp baking powder • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 cup + 2 Tbl sugar • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted • ½ cup + 2 Tbl AP flour • ½ cup chocolate chips • ½ cup jammy bits • 1 ½ Tbl honey or seedless raspberry jam • ½ Tbl water CHOCOLATE GANACHE GLAZE • ½ cup heavy cream • 20 g (½ Tbl) light corn syrup • 200 g (1⅓ c) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped • ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease eight 4” tart rings and cover the bottom and outside with aluminum foil. (Spray the sides of the tart ring and foil on the bottom cooking spray.)
Crack the 2 eggs into a bowl, and beat them with the cocoa, salt, baking powder, and vanilla until smooth.
Add the sugar and melted butter, stirring until smooth.
Add the flour, chips, and Jammy Bits, again stirring well. The batter will be very thick.
Spoon 90 g of batter to half fill each tart ring and smooth with a small offset spatula
Bake the brownies for 12-16 minutes, checking the temperature after 8 minutes. The brownies are done when a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean (200 degrees,) or with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. The brownies should feel set on the edges, and the center should look moist, but not uncooked. Do not over bake! Remove them from the oven.
Heat the honey or seedless raspberry jam with 1 Tbl of water and stir until smooth. Brush over the warm brownies. Set aside to cool for an hour or longer before topping with the ganache.
Loosen the brownies from the rings by running a knife around the brownie. Carefully peel the aluminum foil from the brownie and release the brownie from the ring.
To make the ganache, heat the cream and corn syrup until they begin to steam (60 sec in 1000W microwave.) Pour over the chopped chocolate in a bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes, add any flavorings, and whisk until smooth. Let cool for 15 minutes or so.
Spread ganache over the brownies while it’s still warm but has begun to thicken — reheat if it thickens too much as you work. Allow several hours for the ganache to set up fully. You may refrigerate the brownies to hasten the setting of the ganache.
Spread a tablespoon of raspberry sauce on the ganache, top with a scoop of ice cream and drizzle sauce(s) of your choice, i.e. hot fudge, raspberry, caramel or marshmallow. Garnish with fresh raspberries.
Hot Fudge
INGREDIENTS
⅔ c heavy cream
144 g (½ c) light corn syrup
70 g (⅓ c) light brown sugar – not packed
¼ c unsweetened natural cocoa powder
¼ tsp salt
170 g dark or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 Tbl unsalted butter
2 tsp vanilla extract METHOD
Bring cream, corn syrup, brown sugar, cocoa powder, optional salt, and half the chopped chocolate to a boil in a 1½-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until chocolate is melted. Reduce heat and cook at a low boil for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Turn off the heat and add butter, vanilla, remaining chocolate, and stir until smooth.
Cool slightly before serving.
Cooled sauce can be stored in a jar with a lid or in airtight container in the refrigerator for many weeks. Reheat sauce before using by placing the desired portion in a microwave-safe bowl and heating for about 10 to 15 seconds, or reheat on the stovetop
Caramel Sauce INGREDIENTS • 112 g (½ c) RT butter • 106 g (½ c) light brown sugar • dash salt • 144g (½ c) light corn syrup • 7 oz (½ can) sweetened condensed milk • 1 tsp vanilla METHOD
Melt the butter in 1½ quart or larger saucepan.
Add the brown sugar and salt and combine. Stir in the corn syrup, mix well.
Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk, stirring constantly. It can take 10-15 minutes to add the milk. Go very slowly!
Cook and stir over medium heat to 220°F for sauce viscosity.
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla.
Store in sealable container when cool
Seedless Raspberry Coulis
INGREDIENTS • 480 g fresh washed and dried raspberries • 200 g (1 c) caster sugar • 60 g (1/4 c) cold water • 2 Tbl lemon juice
METHOD
Add all ingredients to a 1 ½ quart saucepan
Cook while stirring and mashing over medium heat until it thickens (~220 F)
Strain the coulis through a fine mesh sieve.
Pour into an airtight container and cool before sealing
I forget where I first saw this recipe but there are plenty on YouTube .
It’s best if you can make your own seedless raspberry jam, but alas, I couldn’t this time. These are very flavorful cookies with a hint ‘o almond flavor Well worth your time to make them
Buttery Raspberry Crumble Cookies
INGREDIENTS • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened • 1/4 cup granulated sugar • 1/3 cup powdered sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 teaspoon almond extract • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam For the Crumble Topping: • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1/4 cup granulated sugar • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes • 1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
METHOD
Combine the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and powdered sugar. Use a stand mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. The butter should be a pale color, and the sugars fully incorporated, leaving no grainy texture.
Mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract.
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and kosher salt into the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. The dough should be smooth and a bit crumbly, yet it should hold together when pressed between your fingers.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Make the crumble topping: In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon (if using). Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Once chilled, roll the dough into small balls (about 1 inch). Place them onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
Using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, press gently into the center of each dough ball to create a well. You’ll want a depth sufficient to hold the raspberry jam without breaking through the bottom.
Spoon a small amount of seedless raspberry jam into each indentation. Ensure the jam does not overflow, just to the brim, then sprinkle the crumble topping over the cookies. Do not be afraid to pile a lot of crumble topping on.
Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 15–18 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. The cookies should have a slightly crisp edge and a soft, crumbly center.
I wasn’t going to mention the artisan bread (as seen in the background) I made this morning, but I added a twist to the recipe. I use the Tangzong technique fairly often, but hadn’t used it on artisan bread. The standard method yields a bread that is 9.5 out of 10, so what is the point?
Tangzong pre-gelatinizes the starch in the flour, allowing it to absorb twice as much water than with cool water. Since there’s less free (unabsorbed) water in the dough, it’s less sticky and easier to knead plus it stays fresh longer, not that that is an issue here, over the past 2 weeks I made the artisan loaf every 2 or 3 days. For variety I did occasionally change from boule to batard.
I also made Scottish Oatcakes this morning. I read an article about them, which is all it ever takes for me. The bake resulted in 16 crisp “biscuits” (as cookies are called in the UK.) They be a nice change from all the cookies (but don’t worry, plenty of cookies coming up. I am doing another fund raiser in March and need to practice, practice, practice.)
Artisan Bread with Tangzong
INGREDIENTS
450g (3 ¾ c) bread flour divided (For Italian Bread use AP flour))
2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
10g (1 ¾ tsp) kosher salt
360g (1 ½ c) warm water between 120°F and 130°F (360 grams)
METHOD
In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, yeast, and salt to combine. Measure water into a small bowl
Tangzong: Transfer 3 tablespoons of the measured flour and ½ cup of the measured milk or water into a saucepan and set over medium-high heat.
Cook the mixture, whisking constantly until it thickens into a thick slurry (~1 minute.)
Transfer the cooked mixture to a bowl until cool to lukewarm, then add remaining flour, milk (or water), and other dough ingredients combine with a dutch dough which until the mixture is very sticky, and no lumps of flour remain.
Cover and place in a proofing oven until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a large dutch oven with a lid in the oven for at least 30 minutes.
Using lightly floured hands, reach down one side of the dough to the bottom of the bowl, pull up, and stretch the edge of the dough over the center toward the opposite side. Turn the bowl 90 degrees and repeat the folding and turning, working in a circle around the dough until the dough starts to hold its shape, about 8 to 10 rotations. Pinch any seams together at the center of the dough ball.
Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface, placing it seam side down. Shape into a boule or batard, depending on the intended use. Transfer the dough onto parchment paper lined banneton and sprinkle with flour. Loosely cover with plastic wrap or a tea towel for 10 minutes while the oven heats to 450°F. Place a large dutch oven with a lid in the oven while it preheats.
Using a sharp knife or bread lame, cut a slit about ¼-inch deep across the top of the dough. Very carefully place the dough with the parchment paper directly into the preheated Dutch oven. Cover with the lid.
Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the lid and bake until deeply golden brown and the internal temperature is about 195°F (~15 to 17 minutes more.) Carefully remove the bread from the Dutch oven using the parchment paper to help, and place on a wire rack to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing
Tangzong
Tangzong pre-gelatinizes the starch in the flour, allowing it to absorb twice as much water than with cool water. Since there’s less free (unabsorbed) water in the dough, it’s less sticky and easier to knead
METHOD
Measure out the total amount of flour and milk specified in the recipe.
Transfer 3 tablespoons of the measured flour and ½ cup of the measured milk or water into a saucepan and set over medium-high heat.
Cook the mixture, whisking constantly until it thickens into a thick slurry (~1 minute.)
Transfer the cooked mixture to a bowl until cool to lukewarm, then add remaining flour, milk (or water), and other dough ingredients and proceed with the original recipe method.
Scottish Oatcakes
INGREDIENTS • 226g quick-cooking oats (2 ½ c) • 1 tsp kosher salt • ¼ tsp baking soda • 66g (6 Tbl) melted clarified butter • ¾ c hot water, around 200ºF (93ºC)
METHOD
In a medium bowl, stir oats, salt, and baking soda to combine. Add melted clarified butter or ghee to oat mixture and, using a flexible spatula, toss to evenly coat oats with fat. Add hot water and stir until mixture begins to thicken, 30 – 60 seconds. Let sit until oat mixture has hydrated and is slightly sticky, about 5 minutes.
Using a flexible spatula, scrape oat mixture onto a 18×13” piece of parchment. Top with another 18×13” piece of parchment so oat mixture is sandwiched between and, using a rolling pin, roll oat mixture to ¼ “thick. Grab both ends of the parchment, set onto a 18×13” rimmed baking sheet, and freeze until mixture is firm but pliable, about 30 minutes. Line two 18×13” rimmed baking sheet with parchment; set aside.
While the mixture is chilling adjust oven racks to second-from-top and second-from bottom positions and preheat to 350ºF (175ºC). 350ºF or 325ºF convection
Set a clean piece of parchment on your kitchen counter. Remove oatcake mixture from freezer. Peel off top layer of parchment, then invert oatcake mixture onto prepared sheet of parchment. Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 16 oatcakes. (Scraps can be rerolled, frozen, and punched out into additional oatcakes.) Transfer oatcakes to prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart, and bake until crispy and lightly browned, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely before serving or storing.
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat.
Continue to cook over medium-high heat; an even layer of white milk proteins will float to the surface.
Bring to a boil; the milk proteins will become foamy.
Lower heat to medium and continue to gently boil; the milk proteins will break apart.
As butter gently boils, milk proteins will eventually sink to the bottom of the pot, and the boiling will begin to calm and then cease. Adjust heat as needed to continue boiling off water without scorching milk solids.
Once boiling has stopped, pour butter through a cheesecloth-lined strainer or through a coffee filter into a heatproof container to remove browned milk solids.
Let cool, then transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate until ready to use. Clarified butter should keep at least 6 months in the refrigerator.
On Wednesday this week I spent the morning replenishing our artisan bread supply and making some nibbling cookies. This bread may be the best I make, and QC said the pistachio/cranberry shortbread cookies may be the best of anything I bake.
To mix things up a little this time I shaped the bread as a boule while the previous bread was a batard. The shortbread cookies were the same as the past bake.
Yesterday we held our first ever QC Cadre Fete at our house. For those not in the know the Quality Control Manager (QC) is my wife, Fran. The QC Cadre incudes all our immediate neighbors, and significant others. To thank everyone for their reviews over the past year I made a selection of heretofore untried pastries and bread.
From front to back are” Snowflake Bread, fig newtons and raspberry filled profiteroles, chocolate glazed chocolate filled chocolate tarts with a croustillant layer and finally gingerbread millionaires bars.
Sadly, I pulled the gingerbread millionaires bars before the fete began. I over cooked the caramel and while it tasted good, it was a very hard crack and once you started to chew it, your mouth could be glued shut. As I said, this was the first attempt at each bake so accidents will happen, but not again!
Chocolate Orange Snowflake Bread
INGREDIENTS For the Dough: • 1c milk, plus 1 tbsp extra • 30g (2 Tbl) cubed butter • 2 Tbl olive oil • 2 Tbl sugar • 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast • 175g AP white • 175g bread flour, plus extra for dusting • 1 tsp cinnamon • A pinch of salt • 1 orange, zested? For the Filling: • 100g cream cheese • 2 Tbl sugar • 2 Tbl cacao powder • 1 Tbl cinnamon • 1 Tbl cornstarch • 1 orange, zested For Decoration • Candy orange peel
METHOD
Combine the milk and butter and warm until just melted and lukewarm. Stir in the olive oil, sugar, and yeast. Let rest for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl whisk flour, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the yeast-milk and bring to a shaggy dough with a spoon. Tip onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 1 minute to make a smooth ball of dough. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover and leave somewhere warm for 30 minutes, to rise. Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to 350ºF.
Whisk together all the filling ingredients until smooth (you can microwave the mix for 10 seconds, if needed, to make it smoother to combine).
Punch down the dough and form into 2 balls. (I like to weigh the dough and divide the total weight by 2 to make equal sized balls. My dough weighed 1630 g therefore, each ball should be ~815g.)
Divide each ball into two smaller balls, each ~400g and form each into a rough circle ~6” diameter, then roll out into circles ~10”
Place one circle down and coat with 1/3rd of the filling, leaving the outer 1” un-coated. Repeat for the next two layers and leave the top layer uncoated.
Center a 10” cake pan and trim the circles to an even circle.
Set a 3” bowl in the center of the stack of circles and press down making an impression
Cut the dough from the perimeter to the outside of the 3” circle into 16 equal portions
Twist adjacent portions away from each other and pinch the ends into a point
Snip each dendrite is several places to form fronds, or feathers.
Cover and let rise 20-30 min.
Beat the egg with 1 Tbl water to use as the egg wash
Brush the pastry evenly with the 1 tbsp egg wash and place in the middle of the oven for 22-25 minutes, until well-risen, golden and springy.
Remove from the oven sprinkle with candied orange peel and cool for 20 minutes.
Homemade Fig Newtons
INGREDIENTS • 1 pint fresh or preserved figs or 12 ounces dried figs 2 Pints • 1 ½ cups AP flour 3 cups • ¼ teaspoon baking powder ½ tsp • ¼ teaspoon salt ½ tsp • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp • 1 stick butter 2 sticks • 1/3 cup sugar 2/3 cup • 1 egg 2 • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tsp • 2 tablespoons orange juice 4 Tbl If you are using: • Fresh figs: Remove stems and boil figs with 2 cups of sugar in 1 cup of water for 45 minutes. Drain and cool. This seemed to be too much sugar and water. Try cutting in half. If too thin, cook down until temp reaches about 210. • Dried figs: In a bowl, pour boiling water over figs (stems removed) and let rest 10 minutes. Drain all but 2 tablespoons water and stir in 2 tablespoons corn syrup + ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. • Preserved figs: Drain syrup.
METHOD
Puree figs in food processor into a thick paste (if too thick or thin to spread evenly, add a little water or flour until spreadable consistency is reached).
Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together and set aside.
Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.
Add egg and vanilla, mix until smooth
Add orange juice and combined dry ingredients to bowl and mix until dough forms.
Optional: form dough into a flat thick disk and chill to set butter and make it easier to roll and fold.
Roll dough out on a floured surface into an 8”x14” rectangle about ¼” thick.
Cut rectangle in half lengthwise.
Spread fig paste onto half of each rectangle, lengthwise.
Cut the rectangle in half crosswise, or even thirds to facilitate folding.
Fold dough in half lengthwise to cover fig paste and pinch edges to seal.
Slide each newton log onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees until crust begins to brown.
Slice into cookie-sized segments and cool. Slice while warm to reducing flaking.
Raspberry Italian Meringue Profiteroles
INGREDIENTS Choux Pastry: • ½ c (65 grams) AP flour • ½ tsp granulated white sugar • ¼ tsp salt • 4 tbsp (55 grams) unsalted butter, cut into pieces • ½ c (120 ml) water • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten Raspberry Italian Meringue • egg whites room temperature • 2/3 cup caster sugar • 1/4 cup water • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar • 2 drops raspberry flavor • 1-2 drops red food coloring • Optional: 1 tsp freeze dried raspberry powder Chocolate Glaze: • 2 ounces (55 grams) semisweet chocolate, finely chopped • ¼ c (60 ml) heavy “whipping” cream (cream with 35% butterfat content) • ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract • ½ tbsp light corn syrup (or golden syrup or glucose)
METHOD
Preheat oven to 375o F (190o C) and place rack in center of oven.
In a bowl whisk the flour with the sugar and salt.
Place the butter and water in a saucepan over medium high heat and bring to a boil.
Remove from heat and, with a wooden spoon, add the flour mixture, all at once, and stir until combined. It will look like mashed potatoes. Return saucepan to the heat and stir constantly until the dough comes away from the sides of the pan and forms a thick smooth ball (about 1-2 minutes). The dough will film the bottom and sides of the saucepan and make cleaning a pain.
Transfer the dough to an electric mixer and beat on low speed to release the steam from the dough (about 1 minute).
Once the dough is lukewarm start adding the lightly beaten eggs (dough will separate and then come together) and continue to mix until you have a smooth thick paste (dough will fall from a spoon in a thick ribbon).
Place the dough in a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip and pipe round mounds of dough (about 1 ½ inch) onto the parchment lined baking sheet. (When piping, hold the bag at a 90-degree angle, ie straight up.)
Bake for 15 minutes and then reduce the oven temperature to 350o F (180o C).
Remove from oven, pierce the bottom of each profiterole with a small skewer to release the interior steam.
Continue to bake for a further 25 minutes or until the shells are a nice amber color and when split, are almost dry inside. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Raspberry Italian Meringue
Wipe down all tools with white vinegar or lemon juice to remove any trace of fat.
Place sugar and water mixture over medium heat for 5 minutes. Do not stir it at all during this time. The mixture will look cloudy.
Gently stir the mixture for 1 minute. There should be little to no granules of sugar left at this point.
Once the mixture begins to bubble from the bottom, 3 to 5 minutes, place the digital thermometer in the pot and increase to medium-high heat. Do not stir it at all after this.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the eggs whites on low speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar, increase the speed to medium and beat until soft peaks form.
Allow the sugar mixture to come to a boil and watch carefully. Once it reaches 230 °F turn stand mixer on highest speed to whip egg whites to peaks.
Once the sugar syrup reaches 240 °F, remove from heat and remove the probe. This takes about 4- 6 minutes.
Allow the boiling to come to a slow bubble before moving on.
Slowly pour sugar syrup (steady stream) into whisked egg whites. Avoid the whisk attachment or it will fling your mixture all over the bowl.
Allow mixture to whisk for another 3-5 minutes until the mixer bowl is cool/room temperature to the touch.
Add raspberry flavoring and if desired, the freeze-dried raspberry powder. (In my first attempt at adding the powder I added it prior to adding the sugar syrup and it ruined the soft peaks. I think adding at the end should work.) Chocolate Glaze:
Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
Heat the cream just until boiling and immediately pour it over the chocolate.
Gently stir until the chocolate has melted.
Stir in the vanilla extract and corn syrup, mixing to ensure incorporation.To complete:
Fill a piping bag equipped with a filling tip (such as Wilton 230). Inject crème pat into the hole you made to allow the steam to escape. When you feel the side of the profiterole begin to bulge, the éclair is full.
Dip the top of each profiterole into the warm, thin ganache and set on a piece of waxed or parchment paper to dry. (I use the parchment paper previously used to line the baking sheet.)
Gingerbread Millionaire Bars
INGREDIENTS FOR THE GINGER SHORTBREAD BOTTOM: • 1 c butter • ½ c packed dark brown sugar • ¼ c (85g) un-sulfured molasses • 1 large egg • 1 tsp cinnamon • 1 tsp powdered ginger • ¼ tsp cloves • ½ tsp salt • 2 ½ c all-purpose flour FOR THE CHEWY CARAMEL: • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar • ⅓ cup sweetened condensed milk • ⅓ cup butter • 3 tbsp. golden cane syrup (or honey as a substitute) • 1 tsp. flaky sea salt FOR THE CHOCOLATE TOP: • 7 oz dark chocolate, chopped
METHOD
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper.
In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter, brown sugar, and molasses together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add in the egg, spices, fresh ginger, and salt, whipping an additional minute. Fold in flour, mixing only until combined.
Transfer dough to prepared baking pan, patting down evenly. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center of the shortbread comes out clean. Allow to cool while you make your caramel.
In a small saucepan over medium low heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk, sugar, and honey. Use a rubber spatula to mix slowly but continuously for about ten minutes. The mixture will slowly turn a light golden color and begin to pull away from the sides of ithe pan. Heat until mixture reaches a nice golden caramel color then add the butter and mix until incorporated, then remove from heat and mix in salt.
Pour mixture over ginger shortbread and use spatula to spread evenly. Place in the fridge to harden completely, about 2 hours.
Once the bars have cooled, put the chocolate into a large glass measuring cup and heat in 30 second intervals. (My 1000W microwave requires 90 second total heating, but the chocolate should be stirred after each 30 second interval.
Pour over chilled bars, then place back in fridge to harden.
Cut into 1″x1″ cubes and serve! Will last up to 1 week when sealed tightly in a container in the fridge.
Our neighbor, and QC Cadre member, gave us mandarin oranges off her tree, so once again I “processed” and returned to her in a different form. I thought the chocolate dipped orange shortbread cookies were really good, until I sampled the cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies.
Both are easy to make and take little hands-on time, and both are well worth the effort.
Pistachio and CranberryChocolate and Orange
Chocolate Dipped Orange Shortbread Cookies
INGREDIENTS • 1 c unsalted butter, softened • ½ c powdered sugar • 2 tsp orange zest (from 1 orange) • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 2 c all-purpose flour • ¼ teaspoon salt • ½ c dark or semi-sweet chocolate, melted • finely chopped candy orange or zest for garnish
METHOD
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix in the orange zest and vanilla extract until evenly combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough just comes together.
Roll the dough into a log about 2 inches in diameter, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Slice the chilled dough into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheet, about 1 inch apart.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking often after 12, until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
Once cooled, dip half of each cookie into the melted chocolate and place them on parchment paper to set. Sprinkle with finely chopped candied orange or additional orange zest if desired.
Let the chocolate set fully before serving or storing in an airtight container.
Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies Recipe
INGREDIENTS • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened • 3/4 cup powdered sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped • 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, chopped
METHOD
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
Add the Flour and Salt:
Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
Fold in the Cranberries and Pistachios:
Gently fold in the chopped dried cranberries and pistachios until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the dough logs from the refrigerator and slice them into 1/4-inch-thick rounds.
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking often after 12, until the edges are lightly golden.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
It’s a dangerous thing taking a day off from golf. I wanted to make more berry drop scones for a couple of weeks, but never seemed to find the time, until today when there was no golf on my schedule..
We also had no snacks for after dinner so I decided to make Millionaires Shortbread Cookies this afternoon to be ready for dessert. It’s good to have a plan and to execute it properly.
SallysBakingAddiction strikes again! Once again I need refreshments for QCs Mah Jongg ladies tomorrow so, of course, I made these Demerara encrusted brown sugar cookies today to be sure they were worthy of this esteemed group.
I baked these in two batches. Both of them were baked 2-4 minutes too long. The cookies should still be a little soft and not firm in the last few minutes in the oven. REALLY good though. We will cut these in half to prevent any dental distress when eating them.
Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies
INGREDIENTS • 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature • 1 cup (200g) packed light or dark brown sugar • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract • 2 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled) • 1/4 teaspoon salt For Rolling • 1/2 cup (100g) Demerara sugar or Turbinado (Sugar in the Raw)
METHOD
In a large bowl using a handheld mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar together on medium-high speed until completely smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and beat until combined.
Add the flour and salt and beat on low speed until incorporated. Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed and beat until the dough comes together. If the dough is too crumbly and won’t come together after a couple minutes of beating, stop the mixer, pour the dough crumbles on a work surface, and use your hands to bring it together. (I often have to do this, so don’t worry.) You can also try sprinkling the dough with a few drops of water and then beat again; or get your hands wet, then press the dough clumps together tightly until it forms one large clump of thick dough.
With lightly floured hands, divide the dough in two. (If you want to be precise, the dough should weigh about 650g, so each half will be about 325g.) Roll and shape each piece of dough into an 8-inch log.
For Rolling: Pour coarse sugar onto a large plate. One at a time, roll the logs in the sugar until the exterior is fully coated.
Tightly wrap the logs in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 5 days. Chilling is mandatory for this cookie dough. I always chill mine overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. (Always recommended for cookies.) Set aside.
Remove logs from the refrigerator. Slice each log into 16 equally thick cookies and place cookies on baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake the cookies for 14–16 minutes, or until set and lightly browned around the edges. Do not over-bake. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.
Cover and store leftover cookies at room temperature for up to 1 week. After day 1, the cookies will taste crunchier.
Notes
Make Ahead Instructions: Baked cookies freeze well up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature, if desired, before serving. You can make/assemble the cookie dough logs and chill in the refrigerator for up to 5 days (see step 5). Cookie dough logs freeze well too, up to 3 months. Allow the logs to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then continue with step 6. See How to Freeze Cookie Dough if you’d like to see a video tutorial for freezing various types of doughs.
Special Tools (affiliate links): Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Coarse Sparkling Sugar | Baking Sheets | Silicone Baking Mats or Parchment Paper | Cooling Rack
Old Version: The old recipe called for: 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (2 sticks; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar; 1/3 cup (67g) packed dark brown sugar; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; optional: 2/3 cup (135g) coarse sugar, for rolling. Same baking instructions. The cookies usually over-spread, so I updated the amounts of ingredients.
Be sure to check out my top 5 cookie baking tips AND these are my 10 must-have cookie baking tools.
aBatteredOldSuitcase 