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Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Three Layer Cookie

During the Holidays I like to makes dozens and dozens of cookies for friends and co-workers. It's my gift for everyone. I set them out and then have to listen to everyone complain about their weight as they are stuffing their faces. That's why I make the cookies small, people! Don't blame me for your lack of control. But do tell me which one was your favorite... Ha Ha Ha I actually think that complaining about your weight has become a part of polite society. It reminds me of when you tell someone they didn't need to get you a gift even though you really (really) wanted one. Pretending they don't want goodies...whatever. Just take a plateful! Planet Fitness is open 24 hours.
I got a little tired after baking 10 different cookies so I had to try something a little different. Technically these are listed as cookies but they are bars. Wisconsin Power and Light Company providing another great cooking pamphlet, Festive Traditions 1969!
The only thing I didn't have was the orange juice. This looks like a great recipe looked a little time consuming since it has to cool between all the layers. Looks like a great day to wrap presents!
 I tried to separate ingredients by layers but my kitchen is too small!
 The first layer was very powdery. Not feeling really confidant about this...
 I had to increase the baking time time but it eventually browned up nicely! Now to wrap presents and wait for it to cool.
What a delicious group of ingredients! Nothing bad can come of this.
Looks like pecan pie going in...
 ...Smells like pecan pie coming out! I was concerned about the 'soft' corners on the left but we are going to hope for the best. And more presents while cooling.
The top layer is basically an icing. It was very thin going on so I stuck it in the fridge to harden. Worked like a charm! My sweetie came over for dinner so these became the dessert and I may have forgotten to get a picture before we dug in. Oops.
These are sooooo sweet! It's hard to tell but I cut these into tiny little bars, maybe an inch long.
Lovely layers! Can you feel the sugar?!
These were fantastic! and super sweet! The bottom layer was similar to a sugar cookie, the middle was like pecan pie, and the top layer was icing. I wasn't certain how the combination of flavors would fit together. But pecans, coconut, oj, and walnuts work well together! Neat.
Depending on your oven, you may have to adjust the baking time for the bottom layer. I am still learning how to use a gas oven. I would also recommend adjusting the top layer for a thicker icing. After being cooled the top layer stayed together nicely and softened up perfectly after sitting out for a few minutes. Soft but not runny.

My Rating: Wonderful! Will make again.

Friends and Family Rating: "Sweet. Different. But delicious." "Tastes almost like pecan pie!"

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Candied Cherry Macaroons

Busy times means less time to bake and share. Sorry for such a long delay!
Here is a bright cookie for the Holidays! I wanted something a little different since I figured that everyone would be getting a ton of chocolate in December. This is from the fantastic Christmas Cookies booklet from the Wisconsin Gas & Electric Company.
 Just in case you didn't realize, macrons and macaroons are very different cookies. Both delicious! But very different. Macrons are meringue based and come a a variety of colors and flavors. Macaroons are coconut based and a lot easier to make.
I happened to decide to make these just before all the candied fruits came out in the stores for all us crazy people who like making fruit cakes. Luckily I found a wonderful recipe online. Easy and cheap! And they ended up being a lot tastier than the store brand. Image that.
 Super simple ingredients. Can't beat 4!
 I didn't have to bring out the standing mixer for this one.
 It will take a little bit of arm muscles to make sure everything is mixed well together and the coconut doesn't still together.
 These are sticky little things so I recommend using spoons and not your hands to drop the cookies.
 Since these won't bake up you have to keep an eye on the coconut. It will burn!
 These looked beautiful and surprisingly festive!

Despite looking a little crisp, these were very soft and chewy and they had almost a sticky texture to them. And very sweet! I liked them! Easy to put together and cheerful. You can use store bought candied cherries but I would recommend making them yourself. It was easy and they taste amazingly different. I would almost bet that everyone who says they hate candied fruit has never had homemade ones. 

My Rating: Good but sweet. Love the color!

Friends & Family Rating: I don't know...no one said anything but they only lasted 3 days.