Wild Honey Cakes

One of the gifts I received this holiday season is a delightful cookbook all about cookies! It was a 'hint' gift. (Don't think I didn't notice, Paul!) It is The Cookie Jar by Josephine Perry. Originally published as Around the World Making Cookies, it has a nice variety. Part I is American cookies from Virginia, New England, New York, Pennsylvania, New Orleans, and 'modern' cookies. That covers the entire nation, right? Part II gives use cookies from around the world including a few from Turkey, Japan, India, and Russia. Many of those look very different from the typical American cookie...should be fun!

 For my first cookie I decided to stay in my state of Virginia and go with the Wild Honey Cakes. Everyone is still recovering from the excesses of the holidays and this one didn't seem too sweet.

 Easy ingredients. Lots of honey!

 I didn't have time to head out to my favorite honey place but I was able to grab dark honey nearby. I have no idea if the ginger is Jamaican. It was what I had in my pantry.

 It was really fun to watch the foaming action after adding the soda.

 So easy to mix! I didn't even have to pull out the standing mixer.

This dough is weird! It feels like play dough. I may or may not have played with it a bit...

 I was not feeling too confident about these. The dough is so different and there is a ton of it! My hopes were not high.

The recipe did not give me a baking time so...8 minutes was a bit much. I found that 5-6 worked best. The 8-minute cookies were still great just firmer and crispier. And they spread! I tried to make them small and diet friendly but they decided not to stay that way.

These turned out good, a bit boring looking.

Wow! These were surprisingly good. Light with a delicate flavor, these are easy to snack on. The crispier 8-minute cookies would be great to keep in cookie jars! I didn't actually count how many I made but they filled 2 gallon-sized freezer bags. I would love to try them with a stronger flavored honey. 

My Rating: Pretty good. I would make them again for guests.

Friends and Family Rating: "Wow!" "I need this recipe!" "Personally, I think they were very good but I need milk with them."

Bee Bite Cocktail

These crazy weather days have me wishing for spring and warm weather. Okay, all cold days have me wishing for warmer weather. I am not a cold weather person. At all. Time to warm up with a cocktail!

 Bee Bite Cocktail is from Stouffer's 1950's Here's How! and guarantees a bite I will like. Sounds interesting.

 I love the simplicity of older cocktail recipes.

 I love when I have all the ingredients at hand. Some many modern cocktails require way too much.

 The only thing I can see in this picture is the wallpaper...

 Ta da! Just like the picture!

It definitely had a little bite to it. Not too bad but not my favorite cocktail. There was simply nothing exciting or different about this drink to make it stand out. If I have all the ingredients I might make it again but I will not go out of my way.

My Rating: Make if for a friend while you're drinking a Tom Collins.

Cinnamon Nut Squares

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! For my first recipe of 2019 I thought I would go simple and reached for the 1940's Christmas Cookies pamphlet, Cinnamon Nut Squares!

 I love a recipe that uses both the egg yoke and the egg white!

 Everything in lovely shades of brown. All simple and easy ingredients.

 Although the recipes says 'shortening' I'm going to assume they mean butter.  Best way to start a dessert!

The first cinnamon layer is done. It is really thick...kind of looks like a giant cookie...I was expecting more of a brownie-type layer.

 I'm so glad I bought pecans in bulk before the holidays. I love pecans!

Done! And they smell amazing!! You have to cut them while they are still warm but I would recommend waiting until they cool a little. Lesson learned.

 An orange plate was probably not the best way to display these tasty little treats.

I don't know why the combination of cinnamon and pecans never even occurred to me. So good!

These turned out more like a large cookie. I don't know why I was expecting brownies but these were nothing like it.  I had to adjust the baking time a bit by adding 10 more minutes but that may be just my oven. It can be a bit touchy. These were amazing little bites of deliciousness! The bottom layer is a nice soft cookie with just enough cinnamon. I would recommend chopping the pecans smaller.

My rating: Keeper! So easy and delicious and just a little bit different.

Friends and Family Rating : "Personally I think they were very good. But I needed a glass of milk with them." "I love cinnamon!"