-
Milk Chocolate Toffee Cookies
Growing up, I loved a good Dairy Queen Blizzard. (TBH I still do, but now I opt for the “mini” size because I just can’t finish the large like I did when I was a kid). Anyhow, my favorite mix-in has always been Heath bar. For a while there, they had a Cappuccino Heath Blizzard that was TO DIE FOR. I loved it so much. Does anyone else remember that? And does anyone know if they’ll still make me one if I ask nicely? Well, the idea for these cookies sprang from my love for Heath bars. Milk chocolate and buttery toffee in a salted brown butter cookie…what could be…
-
Popcorn & Hot Chocolate Cookies
A couple of weeks ago, on my birthday, I started taking an online creative baking class. The class is taught by Christina Tosi of Milk Bar—which, if you’re not familiar, is a chain of bakeries with amazing, unique treats that are ridiculously addictive. Over the course of a month we’re baking a few classic Milk Bar treats, then learning Christina’s prototyping method to develop our own unique creations. These Popcorn & Hot Chocolate Cookies were my first project. Sunday Night at Grandma’s House We were tasked with making a cookie based on a specific time—it could be a time in our lives, a time of year, a time of day…whatever…
-
Soft Gingerbread Amaretti Cookies
Normally I wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving to start baking holiday cookies. There are so many delicious fall treats to enjoy, why rush into the holiday season? But last weekend I was having SUCH a craving for gingerbread that I couldn’t wait. Last Christmas I made Love and Olive Oil’s Soft Amaretti Cookies, and they were DIVINE. So this year I tweaked those deliciously chewy cookies to make a gingerbread version, and oh boy are they tasty. Say hello to Soft Gingerbread Amaretti Cookies! History of Amaretti Cookies Amaretti cookies are a traditional Italian dessert that can be traced as far back as the 17th century. They are known…
-
Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
I don’t have any exciting stories of squirrels breaking into my house to share with you today, just a great no-bake cookie recipe. These chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies are quick and simple to toss together, and are the perfect thing for when you want cookies but don’t want to turn the oven on. My mom made these cookies all the time when I was a kid. Neither of us remember exactly where they came from, so if you’re reading this and you know where they originated, let me know – I’d love to give credit where credit is due. They are chocolatey, peanut buttery, chewy, and oh-so-delicious. They’re also…
-
Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Oatmeal Cookies
Well guys, I’ve been staying home as much as possible for about 6 weeks now. Minnesota’s stay-at-home order began March 26th, but I started almost 2 weeks early (I have elderly folks in my building that I want to protect, plus I already work from home so it was pretty easy for me to do). Anyway, to combat cabin fever, I’ve been using my extra time at home the best I can – doing a ton of reading, going for lots of walks, FaceTiming with friends and fam, and, of course, baking. Since I have plenty of time, I decided to test half a dozen kinds of oatmeal cookies to…
-
Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies
Well friends, the past couple of weeks have been pretty terrible across the world, there’s no two ways around that. With more than half a million people having contracted COVID-19, and nearly 25,000 dead from it worldwide (www.worldometers.info/coronavirus, as of today), we are all in the grip of fear and grief, and it’s difficult to be hopeful. There is hope though, if you look for it – medical staff and other essential workers putting their lives at risk for us all, neighbors helping each other out, whole communities coming together (in a properly socially distant way of course) to support small businesses and artists, and so much more. With everything…
-
Chocolate Mint Snowball Cookies
It’s February, which means BRING ON THE CHOCOLATE! This month I have a couple of great new chocolate recipes to share with you, beginning with these Chocolate Mint Snowball Cookies. February always seems like the perfect month for chocolate – in part because of Valentine’s day (really, is there any other acceptable V-day treat??), and in part because it’s still winter, still cold, and still dark out most of the time. Hand me the chocolate, please. Chocolate Mint – Decadent and Refreshing I absolutely love a deep, dark, chocolate cookie. Full disclosure – I think Oreos may actually be my favorite cookie of all time. I know that’s a controversial…
-
Garam Masala Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut butter cookies are an all around classic. The flavor is reminiscent of childhood, and that fork-pressed, criss-cross design is iconic. And while I love a good classic, this time I opted for a slight adaptation. These Garam Masala Peanut Butter Cookies still have that old-fashioned feel, but with a flavor update. What is Garam Masala? Garam masala is a blend of spices used mainly in Indian cooking. It’s similar in scent to a curry blend, but has a slightly sweeter flavor. The blend of spices can vary, but it usually contains black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, nutmeg or mace, and turmeric (the one I have at home also…
-
Amaretto Dream Cookies
With the leaves turning, the blustery weather, and Halloween around the corner, my reading preferences are quickly turning to murder mysteries. Now, I have to tell you – I can be a bit of a book snob, and have been known to turn down my nose at anything that isn’t a classic. However, more recently I’ve embraced the joy of a good murder mystery. A few years ago I discovered a series of books that are equal part murder mystery and BAKING(!) by Ellie Alexander. This recipe for Amaretto Dream Cookies comes from book two in that series, “A Batter of Life and Death: A Bakeshop Mystery”. (Side note: if…
-
Grandma Rena’s Molasses Cookies
My Great-Aunt Evy passed away this week. Like many of the older women in my family, she was a kind, loving, smart, and spunky lady. I didn’t see her often, but whenever I did she was quick to give me a smile and a hug, and always made me feel so loved. She will definitely be missed. Learning of her death made me think of all of the other great ladies I’ve been lucky enough to have in my life, including my Great-Grandma Rena. I don’t remember much of Grandma Rena, since I was young when she died, but I do remember one thing vividly – sitting at her kitchen…
Recipes and Musings from the Zenith City
