Desserts

Things I Should Be Doing..

~ Lynn ~ 8 Comments

I’ve been meaning to write this post since Tuesday. I had it all planned out; what funny little story I’d tell, how I’d lead into the round up. Then Tuesday my cell phone broke, so I spent the evening researching new phones, bought the phone and played  learned how to use it Wednesday night. Thursday I had an eye doctor appointment, where crazy drops were put into my eyes which stopped me from being able to focus. Now it’s Friday night, I’m home, relaxing with a cup of cocoa and planning what to make this weekend. I finally have time to share a few treats I’ve seen. I wish I could make them all, but I know something will always come up. Hopefully some of you will be inspired to make something you see here.

First up are Averie of Love Veggies and Yoga’s Baked Eggnog and Vanilla Donuts. The name just says it all, really. I can just imagine waking up to these first thing Christmas morning to these beauties.

Next on my list of things to make is this Bourbon Spice Cake from Russell at Chasing Delicious. I’m a big fan of Russell’s blog, everything he makes looks delicious and comforting, and this cake is no exception.

Ken over at Hungry Rabbit made these Ginger Snowdrops for the 2nd annual NYC Cookie swap, and I can tell you I seriously wish I lived in New York. The cookies look perfect, with crystalized, fresh and ground ginger to make sure you’ve had your ginger fix.

If you’re looking for a drink look no further than Carolyn of All Day I Dream Food’s Cranberry Ginger Mulled Wine. It’s got warm holiday flavours and it’s low carb (Carolyn’s specialty).

For something on the spicy side, this Cranberry Pepper Jelly from Janice at Kitchen Heals Soul sounds perfect. I think a jar of this would make an awesome gift. Hint, hint, Janice. Just kidding. Kinda.

Thin Mints from In Katrina’s Kitchen have been on my mind since she posted them a few months back. I’ve never had the real deal, but chocolate with mint is one of my faovurite flavour combinations, so I’m pretty sure these would be awesome.

Adam and Joanne of Inspired Taste’s Salted Caramel look perfect.

Chocolate Fudge S’mores Thumbprints from How Sweet It Is would satisfy any s’more craving you might have.

These Mini Anise Cakes from Just a Little Bite look adorable, and the I love the use of anise in a cake. (Recipe in Spanish)

Created By Diane’s Ginger Cheesecake Bites would be great for a cookie swap.

Can’t decide between chocolate or caramel? These Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies from Melissa at Eyes Bigger than My Stomach mean you don’t have to choose.

Enjoy!

Earl Grey Tea Cookies, Take Two

~ Lynn ~ 36 Comments

First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who left a comment on my last post. My family has gone through a tough time lately, and although I’d prefer not to get into the details here, the virtual hugs are very much appreciated.

Secondly, I’d like to apologize to all my subscribers and followers for hitting “publish” instead of “preview” earlier today. This was the second time I’ve made that mistake, and I’m hoping I’ll never do it again. I hope having a broken link in your reader wasn’t too much of an annoyance.

Now onto the cookies. I was heading to a friends for coffee this weekend and didn’t want to show up empty handed. Cookies were the obvious choice; they’re quick, easy, and very transportable. I had a lot ideas about what to make but, as my mom pointed out, few ingredients. I took a look in the pantry and spotted a few containers of Mighty Leaf Tea. Tea in a cookie is something I’ve been meaning to try for awhile. I did a quick Google search and found a Martha Stewart recipe that sounded perfect. Then I had to make a tough decision; should I make the cookies as written, or should I make them with Jasmine Green Tea? In the end I chose to make them as written, but I will definitely be trying them with the green tea as well.

The cookies were perfectly crisp and very lightly flavoured with Earl Grey. Next time I make them I think I’ll omit the orange zest, because although Earl Grey is a citrus based tea, it’s flavour is too light to stand up to the orange. Despite that I really enjoyed these cookies, and I think I’ll be adding them to the Christmas baking rotation. I think they’d make a great gift along with some fancy teas.

Earl Grey Tea Cookies

Makes about 60 cookies

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp finely ground tea (tea can be ground in a spice grinder or mini food processor, use the best quality you can afford as cheaper teas have less flavour)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest (optional)
  1. In a small bowl mix the flour, tea and salt together. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the butter, powdered sugar and orange zest together with an electric mixer until the butter is light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add the flour, mixing until well combined.
  3. Split the dough in half and create two round logs, 1 1/4 inches in diameter, wrap them with parchment paper and refrigerate for 1 hour. To keep the bottoms of the logs from flattening out you can slide the logs into paper towel tubes before refrigerating.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350. Line two cookie sheets with parchment, set aside.
  5. Cut the logs into 1/4 inch slices, place the slices on the baking sheets about 1 inch apart. Bake for 13 to 16 minutes until the bottoms are just golden. Let the cookies cool on a wire rack before serving.

Enjoy!