{ Italian Seven Layer Cookies }

I come from a long lineage of family bakers. Cream and sugar are literally coded in my DNA.

And when I was growing up, the holidays signified one thing: cookie season! I would come home from school and my mom would have magazine clippings for cookie recipes that she wanted to try out at one of her infamous cookie exchanges. Given that it was not warm enough to play outside, she would encourage my sister and I to help her sift the flour, roll out the dough, and dip/glaze/sprinkle the tops of cookies in an effort to keep us from turning on the television (or the ‘boob-tube’ as it was referred to in my house!). Of course, we were always more more than happy to oblige!

We would make dozens of spritz cookies, sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, chocolate chip cookies, pecan tassies, mixed nut turtles, and traditional Hungarian kiffles. But the one cookie we never made, was ironically the one that was my favorite–the Italian seven layer cookie.

Whenever I would spot these in a party tray assortment, I would pick them out, stuff them in a napkin, and then scurry away to eat them by my lonesome. I was–and still am–an Italian cookie fein and hoarder.

This year, I decided to make my own seven layer cookies using the recipe printed in Gourmet, December 2005, and since them endorsed by The Smitten Kitchen food blog. I will admit that they were quite laborious and involved to make, but since they can be frozen in large blocks, I will have them to enjoy/gift over the next few months (or weeks, depending on my level of self-control!).

{ Ingredients }

• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 (8 oz) can of almond paste
• 2 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 25 drops red food coloring
• 25 drops green food coloring
• 1 (12 oz) jar of apricot preserves, heated and strained
• 7 oz of good-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), roughly chopped

{ To Make Italian 7-layer Cookies }

Place oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 13- by 9-inch baking pan and line bottom with wax paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two of the ends, then butter paper.

Beat egg whites in mixer fitted with whisk attachment at medium-high speed until they just hold stiff peaks. Add 1/4 cup sugar a little at a time, beating at high speed until whites hold stiff, slightly glossy peaks. Transfer to another bowl.

Switch to paddle attachment, then beat together almond paste and remaining 3/4 cup sugar until well blended, about 3 minutes. Add butter and beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg yolks and almond extract and beat until well combined, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, then add flour and salt and mix until just combined.

Fold half of egg white mixture into almond mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly.

Divide batter among 3 bowls. Stir red food coloring into one and green food coloring into another, leaving the third batch plain. Set the white batter aside. Cover the green batter with plastic wrap and chill in fridge.  Pour the red batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with offset spatula (layer will be about 1/4 inch thick).

Bake red layer 8 to 10 minutes, until just set. (It is important to undercook. They’ll look like they’re not done, but a tester does come out clean.)

Using the paper overhang, transfer the layer to a rack to cool, about 15 minutes. Clean pan, then line with parchment or wax paper and butter paper in same manner as above. Bake white layer in prepared pan until just set. As white layer bakes, bring green batter to room temperature. Transfer white layer to a rack. Prepare pan as above, then bake green layer in same manner as before. Transfer to a rack to cool (see note #1).

When all layers are cool, invert green layer onto a parchment or wax-paper-lined baking sheet. Discard paper from layer and spread half of the apricot preserves on top. Invert white layer on top of green layer, discarding paper. Spread with remaining apricot preserves. Finally, invert the red layer on top of white layer and discard wax or parchment paper (see note #2).

Cover entire “layer-cake” with plastic wrap and weight down with a large baking pan (I stacked cook books on mine for extra weight!). Chill for at least 8 hours. BE PATIENT!

Remove weight and plastic wrap. Bring layers to room temperature. Melt chocolate in a double boiler or a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat. Keep chocolate over the hot water.

Trim edges of assembled layers with a long serrated knife so they are clean lines. Quickly spread half of chocolate in a thin layer on top of cake. Chill, uncovered, until chocolate is firm, about 15 minutes. Cover with another sheet of wax paper and place another baking sheet on top, then invert cake onto sheet and remove paper. Quickly spread with remaining chocolate. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

Cut lengthwise into desired number of strips, depending on the size and number of cookies that you want to yield. I cut mine into 10 I believe.   Cut strips crosswise into 3/4-inch-wide cookies  (see note #3).

**Do ahead: Cookies keep, layered between sheets of wax paper or parchment, in an airtight container at room temperature 2 weeks. They’ll keep even longer in the freezer.

Three important notes:

Note #1. Don’t stack the cakes during the cooling process: Not because they crush each other (they won’t) or because they’ll stick (they don’t), but because that paper liner is greased on both sides from baking and the chocolate shell won’t quite stick right to exterior of the red layer because of the grease accidentally left on it.

Note #2. Be careful dividing your jam: If there is too much jam between one of the layers, it will ooze out when you cut the cake with a serrated knife. Sadly, the cookie will fall apart.

Note #3. They’re easier to cut when frozen: Nevertheless, they tasted amazingly and I was all ready to do a victory lap around my wee kitchen counter, however, when I got to cutting them up and then it all went south. People, these were trying to cut. The problem lies within the differing textures of the layers — the top hard chocolate shell more benefits from a sharp serrated knife (a regular, even very sharp knife will crack the edges when you press down on it), the same serrated knife that gets gummed with jam and tries to pull the soft cake layers in between apart. It was exasperating. It didn’t go well. I packed up some for a party and stuffed the rest in the freezer, only to discover the next day that these cut fantastically when frozen. Seriously. Trust me. I have the gummy floor and gray hairs to prove it.

{ Herbed Israeli Coucous with Apples, Cranberries, & Almonds }

A day characterized by complete gluttony, laziness, and endless vino, it is no wonder that Thanksgiving is one of my favorite American holidays! Unfortunately though, the dinner, which normally packs about 3,000 – 4,000 calories (not including the next-day turkey sandwiches), leaves most American’s feeling stuffed for days/weeks/months. So why not lighten the meal up a bit?!?

The easiest way to cut back the number of calories in your Thanksgiving feast, it to serve lighter and healthier side dishes. Get rid of that artery-clogging green bean casserole, which costs you about 276 calories, and end the tradition of sweet potato and marshmallow casseroles, which add an additional 476 calories to your plate! Instead, opt for for sautéed and steamed fresh veggies that are prepared without incorporating a stick of butter and heavy cream.

This recipe for herbed Isreali couscous, encompasses all the flavors of fall and would make a delicious (and healthy) addition to any Thanksgiving buffet table! The herbs serve as a refreshing palate cleanser and the light vinaigrette is an interesting contrast to the richer gravies and sauces on the table. Furthermore, the cubed green apples and slivered almonds work together to deliver just the right amount of crunch to the dish.

On the other 364 days of the year, this couscous makes a fabulous side dish for lamb and roasted chicken. It is also great to bring to picnics and parties!

{ Ingredients }

For the Couscous:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups Israeli couscous (or barley or orzo)
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1 medium green apple, diced
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted in oven*

*Note: To toast the almonds, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely before using.

For the Vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil

{ To Make the Couscous }

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil on medium-high heat. Add the couscous and cook, stirring occasionally until browned and aromatic, about 3 to 5 minutes. You really want to open up the nutty flavors of the couscous so it is important that you let it brown properly!. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the liquid has evaporated. Transfer the cooked couscous to a large bowl and set aside to cool.

Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, apple, dried cranberries, and almonds.

{ To Make the Vinaigrette }

In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil until smooth. Pour the vinaigrette over the couscous and toss to coat evenly.

{ Cranberry Walnut Celebration Bread }

Thanks to Ms. Hurricane Sandy, I had an unexpected day off of work today! And that means my my oven was set at a comfortable 350 degrees with a constant rotation of breads, cakes, and cookies going though it’s doors. Four loaves of banana bread, and 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies later….I was ready to attempt a more complicated bread recipe from Peter Reinhart’s cookbook, “The Bakers Apprentice.” I haven’t done much bread baking before, but I was feeling up to the challenge with all of the free time on my hands!

The original recipe calls for a mixture of cranberries and walnuts, but I was running low on berries so I also threw in some golden raisins and dried currants. If a panettone and a babka had a love child, this bread would be it! Everyone in my family agreed that it will be made on Christmas morning for many more generations to come…aka, the bread turned out incredible!

So without further ado, here is my recipe for Kendall’s Christmas Celebration Bread, adapted from Peter Reinhart’s Cranberry-Walnut Celebration Bread in “The Baker’s Apprentice.”

{ Ingredients}

• 3 cups of bread flour
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 1/5 tablespoons lemon extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup of buttermilk, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup of water, at room temperature
• 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup dried currants
• 3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

{ To Make the Bread }

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine all of the ingredients (except the dried fruits and nuts) to make a soft dough. Switch the attachment to a dough kneading hook and knead for 5 minutes.

The dough should clear the sides of the mixing bowl, but remain tacky to the bottom. Adjust the concentrations of water and flour so that the dough takes this form.

Add the cranberries, raisins, and currants and continue to knead by hand for an additional 2 minutes.

Then add the chopped walnuts and knead by hand until the nuts are evenly distributed.

Transfer the dough to a well oiled bowl and allow to ferment, uncovered, at room temperature for 2 hours. The dough should almost double in size!

Transfer the dough a counter top surface and divide into 6 pieces; 3 larger pieces and 3 smaller pieces. Roll out all 6 pieces by hand into long strands. Braid the 3 larger strands using the 3-braid technique and then do the same with the 3 smaller strands.

Place the large braid on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and then place the smaller braid directly on top of it. Brush the entire bread with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk) and allow to sit at room temperature for another 2 hours.

The braided bread should double in size. Brush the entire bread with egg wash a second time.

Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 25 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before serving.

I like to serve mine with a flavorful homemade butter. Recipe, below:

{ Homemade Sweet Orange Butter }

• 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

{ To Make the Butter }

Combine all ingredient in the bowl of an electric mixer, and whisk on a medium-high speed until well combined and buttery in texture.

{ Panettone Bread Pudding with Amaretto Sauce }

If I were to make a list for the culinary wonder’s of the world, Panettone bread would certainly be somewhere near the top. A sweet bread, dotted with soft raisins and candied citrus fruit peels, Panettone is best-known for it’s uncanny ability to stay fresh over great lengths of time. I always receive at least one during the Christmas holidays, but usually I don’t around to eating it before anytime before Easter. I often joke that in the event of a nuclear apocalypse, only three things would survive: Twinkies, roaches, and few ribbon-wrapped panettone loaves. Hence, hell on Earth.

Although there is no hope for making Twinkies more palatable, panettone can actually be quite delicious when used in other recipes. It makes a great base for stuffing, a flavorful bread for French toast, and of course, a delicious bread pudding! The fruity flavors of the bread naturally infuse whatever dish you are making, so you don’t have to do as much work seasoning the food. I recently decided to try this bread pudding recipe from Giada de Laurentiis because I saw that it came with a warm Amaretto sauce drizzle. It sounded over the top on Food Network, and it certainly did not disappoint!

I used about 1 1/2 pounds of cubed panettone bread, and made two bread puddings from it. I also doubled the Giada’s recipe for the Amaretto drizzle because it sounded like the best part of the dessert, and I wanted to make sure that there was enough to soak up each bite. I will post the recipe with my modifications below, but you can also view the original by clicking HERE!

Now if only a doctor could put the secret ingredient from Twinkies and panettone into my moisturizer, it might help extend the shelf-life of my face!

{ Ingredients }

For the Bread Pudding:

• 1 ½  pounds of panettone bread, crusts trimmed, and cubed into 1″ pieces
• 8 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups of whipping cream
• 2 ½  cups of whole milk
• 1 ¼ cups sugar

For the Amaretto Sauce:

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup amaretto liqueur
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch

{ To Make the Amaretto Sauce } Bring the cream, milk, and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently. In a small bowl mix the amaretto and cornstarch to combine and then whisk the into the cream mixture.

Simmer over a medium-low heat until the sauce thickens (stirring constantly), for about 2 minutes. Set aside and keep warm, if serving the same day.

NOTE: The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just warm over low heat before serving.

{ To Make the Bread Pudding } Lightly grease a 13″ x 9″ baking sheet. Arrange the cubed panettone in the dish.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, cream, milk, and sugar to combine.

Pour this custard mixture over the panettone cubes, using the back of a wooden spoon to press the cubes into the liquid. It is important that they are very well submerged. Allow the bread to soak for 30 minutes.

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. Bake until the pudding puffs and it set in the center, about 45 minutes (depending on the size of the dish that you chose to use). Allow to cool slightly.

Spoon the bread pudding onto a plate and drizzle with warm amaretto sauce. Enjoy!

{ Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies }

I was really sad about missing Thanksgiving dinner this year. Sad to the point where I dreamt about rosemary-infused stuffing, cranberry condiments, and golden-glazed turkey long after the holiday had passed. These thanksgiving “accruciaments” (as Tony Soprano would say) are all obsolete in Argentina, a country that is recognized for both its prized bovine and lack of importation. The only cans of cranberry sauce and pumpkin puree to be found, were in the possession of foreign service agents that had “special postal privileges.” There was literally a black market among BA expats for gravy starter and Sarah Lee products. Unfortunately, my measly teaching salary did not afford me one of these luxury canned items (I will never look at a food-drive the same way again), and so I resorted to a chicken stir-fry on Thanksgiving evening.

For a foodie like myself, this is a crime because Thanksgiving is unequivocally the best day of the year–a day where we are finally accompanied by family and friends in our passion for food and the desire to consume exorbitant amounts of it. So to miss such a momentous event…well, it’s downright depressing. So my family decided to have Thanksgiving round #2. They say it was just for me, but how many people really keep a spare Butterball in their freezer?!? A 16 pound one no less…

We made all of our Thanksgiving family favorites; starting with a juicy Lemon-Herb Roasted Turkey, accompanied by Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Lemon-Scented Broccoli, Rosemary and Sage Infused Stuffing, Corn, and my mom’s delicious Homemade Gravy!

But it wouldn’t be a proper Thanksgiving feast without some sort of pumpkin-flavored dessert, so my sister and I decided to try out Paula Deen’s recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (although we made some modifications, as one must with Paula Deen’s butter rich recipes!).

Overall, I thought the cookies had a really great flavor but they were more cake-like than cookie in composition. If you are a fan of soft cookies, then you will love these!! I would probably opt for my Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting in the future though, because I like crunchy cookies instead.

{ Ingredients }

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups (1 12-ounce bag) semisweet chocolate chips
• Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper

{ To Make the Cookies } Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper or nonstick spray.

Using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth. Beat in the sugar, whisking until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs 1 at a time, then mix in the vanilla and pumpkin puree. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, until everything is well combined.

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.

Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet mixture in 3 parts, and continue to mix on a low speed until well combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and drop cookies onto prepared cookie sheet. NOTE: I like to use a small ice cream scoop so that the cookie batter is evenly distributed!

Place the cookie sheet into the oven and allow to bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Allow to cool and serve!

{ The 12 Desserts of Christmas }

Foodies keep tabs on other foodies–especially blogging foodies! I must admit–with some embarrassment–that I spend a great deal of my day looking at food related tweets, facebook posts, RSS feeds, photos, and last but not least, blog posts (the I-pad has only made my food addiction more accessible!). I want to know what people are eating, and where people are eating.

For this Christmas, I have decided to compile a list of my favorite holiday desserts, drawing on the delicious recipes of my blogging idols, celebrity chefs, and family members. And since I have a sizable amount of free time on my hands, I have decided to present them in song format as the 12 Desserts of Christmas! Just click on the image and it will redirect you to a page with the recipe!

Merry Christmas everyone!

                                                               On the first day of christmas

                                                                  my true love baked for me

                                                                Nigella’s rocky road candy

 

 Christmas Rocky Road from Nigella Lawson

 

                                                             On the second day of christmas

                                                                  my true love baked for me

                                                                          2 snickerdoodles

                                                             and Nigella’s rocky road candy

 

                                                   Fat Fluffy Snickerdoodles by How Sweet Eat Is

                                                              

                                                              On the third day of christmas

                                                                  my true love baked for me

                                                                        3 mixed nut turtles

                                                                          2 snickerdoodles

                                                             and Nigella’s rocky road candy

 

                                                             Mixed Nut Turtle Cookie by Me

 

                                                               On the fourth day of christmas

                                                                  my true love baked for me

                                                                        4 rainbow cookies

                                                                        3 mixed nut turtles

                                                                          2 snickerdoodles

                                                             and Nigella’s rocky road candy

 

   Italian Rainbow Cookies by All-Recipes

 

                                                                On the fifth day of christmas

                                                                  my true love baked for me 

                                                                          5 pecan tassies

                                                                        4 rainbow cookies

                                                                        3 mixed nut turtles

                                                                          2 snickerdoodles

                                                             and Nigella’s rocky road candy

 

                                                                       Pecan Tassies by Me

 

                                                              On the sixth day of christmas

                                                                  my true love baked for me 

                                                                         6 almond tortas

                                                                          5 pecan tassies

                                                                        4 rainbow cookies

                                                                        3 mixed nut turtles

                                                                          2 snickerdoodles

                                                             and Nigella’s rocky road candy

 

Almond Cake with Clementines by Two-Tarts

 

                                                              On the seventh day of christmas

                                                                  my true love baked for me 

                                                                    7  ricotta cheesecakes

                                                                         6 almond tortas

                                                                          5 pecan tassies

                                                                        4 rainbow cookies

                                                                        3 mixed nut turtles

                                                                          2 snickerdoodles

                                                             and Nigella’s rocky road candy

 

Ricotta Cheesecake with Blackberry Compote by Design Sponge

 

                                                              On the eighth day of christmas

                                                                  my true love baked for me 

                                                                  8 peppermint brownies

                                                                    7  ricotta cheesecakes

                                                                         6 almond tortas

                                                                          5 pecan tassies

                                                                        4 rainbow cookies

                                                                        3 mixed nut turtles

                                                                          2 snickerdoodles

                                                             and Nigella’s rocky road candy

Peppermint Infused Brownies by Jennifer Joyce

 

                                                              On the ninth day of christmas

                                                                  my true love baked for me 

                                                              9 macaroons with chocolate

                                                                  8 peppermint brownies

                                                                    7  ricotta cheesecakes

                                                                         6 almond tortas

                                                                          5 pecan tassies

                                                                        4 rainbow cookies

                                                                        3 mixed nut turtles

                                                                          2 snickerdoodles

                                                             and Nigella’s rocky road candy

 

 Coconut Macaroon with Chocolate by Fosters Market, NC

 

                                                              On the tenth day of christmas

                                                                  my true love baked for me 

                                                                      10 Hungarian kiffles

                                                              9 macaroons with chocolate

                                                                  8 peppermint brownies

                                                                    7  ricotta cheesecakes

                                                                         6 almond tortas

                                                                          5 pecan tassies

                                                                        4 rainbow cookies

                                                                        3 mixed nut turtles

                                                                          2 snickerdoodles

                                                             and Nigella’s rocky road candy

 

 Hungarian Kiffles with Lekvar from Great Grandmother’s Recipe

 

                                                            On the eleventh day of christmas

                                                                  my true love baked for me 

                                                                 11 chewy amaretti cookies

                                                                      10 Hungarian kiffles

                                                              9 macaroons with chocolate

                                                                  8 peppermint brownies

                                                                    7  ricotta cheesecakes

                                                                         6 almond tortas

                                                                          5 pecan tassies

                                                                        4 rainbow cookies

                                                                        3 mixed nut turtles

                                                                          2 snickerdoodles

                                                             and Nigella’s rocky road candy

 

 Chewy Amaretti Cookies from The Smitten Kitchen

 

                                                            On the twelfth day of christmas

                                                                  my true love baked for me 

                                                                 12 ginger bread men cookies

                                                                 11 chewy amaretti cookies

                                                                      10 Hungarian kiffles

                                                              9 macaroons with chocolate

                                                                  8 peppermint brownies

                                                                    7  ricotta cheesecakes

                                                                         6 almond tortas

                                                                          5 pecan tassies

                                                                        4 rainbow cookies

                                                                        3 mixed nut turtles

                                                                          2 snickerdoodles

                                                             and Nigella’s rocky road candy

Homemade Gingerbread Men with Royal Icing by The Food Network

{ Pecan Tassies }

As I have mentioned several times on blog, I am not particularly keen on sweets. Given the option, I would always prefer to gorge more “real” food, rather that save myself for a dessert. This being said, I am a major proponent of one-bite desserts that let you have a little taste without a full dessert commitment. Something small that you can just pop in your mouth and be done with in seconds (not an obnoxious slice of cake that you have to try to pawn off to everyone around you, before finally stashing it under a pile of napkins in the hostess’s garbage can….hey, we’ve all done it).

These pecan tassies are a perfect dessert for holiday meals, because you can always find room for at least one, no matter how much you have already eaten.  My mom makes this recipe every year, and finds that they are always well received at the annual cookie exchange (a nice switch-up from the santa sugar cookie cutouts!).

This recipe is low cost, straight forward, and delicious. Try it out this Christmas!

{ Ingredients }

• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (King Arthur is best)
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. melted butter
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract (Madagascar is best!)
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
• 1 tsp. honey
• dash of salt

{ To Make the Dough Cups } Using an electric hand mixer on medium speed, cream together the 2 sticks of butter and the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Then mix in the flour, until well combined.

Using your hands, roll the dough into about 48 small balls. Place the balls into a small, lightly greased muffin pan. Create small wells in the dough, using the pressure of your thumb (remember, the well must be large enough to contain the pecan filling).

{ To Make the Pecan Filling } Combine the brown sugar, melted butter, honey, vanilla extract, salt and eggs. Stir until well combined. Add the chopped pecans and mix to coat.

{ To Assemble the Tassies } Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Spoon the pecan filling into the wells of the dough cups, until all of the filling has been used up.

Bake the tastes at 400 degrees for 15 minutes and then reduce the heat 250 for the final 10 minutes of baking.

Remove from oven and allow to cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving!

 

{ Hungarian Cream Cheese Cookies – Kiffles }

When I was growing up, the the holidays were marked by my Hungarian grandmother’s homemade cream cheese cookies (or Kiffles, as they are called in Hungarian). They would make their first appearance on Thanksgiving, and then she would continue to bake them until Christmas day. I couldn’t get enough of these little cookies, eating them by the plateful (and always getting caught because of the powdered sugar trail I would leave behind).

A kiffle is a moist and delicate pastry dough filled with lekvar (tart prune) or apricot preserves. This year, I have decided to continue the family cookie tradition here in Buenos Aires by making my great grandmother’s original recipe (yes, this is it). It is a simple recipe to make because only a few ingredients are required and no “special equipment” is needed!

NOTES: It is very important that you be patient and allow the ingredients to properly soften before beginning, or the dough will not come together right. Also, I suggest using King Arthur flour in this recipe because it is the best flour for baking. Since the dough is composed of so few ingredients, it is really important those those couple be of a very high quality. Splurge on the King Arthur if you can, but the recipe will work if you can’t find it (I couldn’t here in Argentina, and my cookies still came out fine).

{ Ingredients }

**Makes about 48 cookies

• 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 stick of margarin, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) package of Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups King Arthur flour
• Lekvar or apricot preserves
• Confectioner’s sugar

{ To Make the Cookies } Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Using and electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the softened butter, margarin, and cream cheese. Add the vanilla extract and continue to mix until light and fluffy.

Add 3 cups of flour and mix with hands. The dough should be smooth but not sticky. If it is too sticky, continue to add flour until the right consistency is achieved. Divide the dough into four balls, cover in plastic wrap and put in freezer for 20 minutes.

Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and then cut the dough into small squares. Place a dollop of lekvar or apricot preserves in the center of the square and then bring two of the opposing dough corners together atop it.

Arrange cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and allow to bake for 7-8 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve!

{ Truffle-Infused Deviled Eggs }

Deviled eggs at a potluck are as predictable as the sun rising in the East–someone is bringing them! And the the rest of the dinner party will inevitably pass some sort of judgement on that person (along with the person that brings box-made brownies for dessert, of course). One guest will remark how outdated deviled eggs are (like shag carpets and green bean casseroles), another will comment on the lack of creativity and/or effort. But wouldn’t you know that at the end of the night, not one of those bad boys is left on the buffet table. People can hate on the notion of deviled eggs all they want, but everyone’s got a secret soft spot for that fluffy, mayo-whipped, goodness. And what else are you supposed to do with all those hard boiled eggs after Easter!?!

Anyways, with the holiday seasons now in full swing, I thought it would be an appropriate time to give my readers a more “modern” and “contemporary” deviled egg recipe that they can surprise guests with at their impending potluck dinner parties. Owning a cool deviled egg tray from the 1970’s gets you a bonus point, pipping the yolk into the eggs earns you a little more, but putting truffle oil into your egg mixture will really wow your guests.

I like to dust the tops of my eggs with a little paprika, minced truffles, parsley, and capers (not all on one course, but in alternation!)

{ Ingredients }

• 6 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon truffle oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped black truffle peelings
• Chopped parsley, capers, and paprika for garnish

{ To Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs } Place the eggs in a large pot and cover with room temperature water. Bring the pot of water to a boil, and then remove from heat. Cover the pot with lid and allow to sit for 12-13 minutes.

Remove the eggs from the pot and place into a prepared ice bath with cold water (this prevents them from cooking further!).

{ To Make the Deviled Eggs } Peel the eggs under cold running water (this helps to remove the shells easier), and cut in half lengthwise.

Remove the yolks with a spoon, placing them into a large mixing bowl.

Add the mayonnaise, truffle oil, dijon mustard, cayenne pepper, and truffle peelings, and combine with an electric mixer on medium speed.

Continue whipping until the mixture is light and fluffy. Taste the mixture and add more truffle oil if desired.

Put the egg yolk mixture into a plastic pipping bag and pipe the filling into the egg white halves. Top with the garnish of your choice and serve!

If you really want to impress your guests and challenge your culinary skills, then try making these heart shaped deviled eggs (click here for full instructions). I haven’t yet attempted it myself, but I plan to this Easter!

{ Mixed Nut Turtle Cookies }

Mixed Nut Turtle Cookies with Decadent Chocolate

Tis’ the cookie season once again. It seems that everyone is either making them, giving them, or receiving them, and then of course, we are all eating them! The holidays and cookies just tend to go hand in hand. Some of my fondest Christmas memories as a little kid are in the kitchen making Spritz cookies with my mom. We would stand at the center island for hours each day making dough, greasing cookie sheets, and sprinkling the tops of our cookie cut outs. I think our tiny house could have been heated solely by the oven during cookie-making week! Thankfully, our cookies have evolved since these days and we no longer make Spritz cookies, which might as well be butter packets with sprinkles (superrrrr fattening). Instead, our new favorite holiday cookies are these Mixed Nut Turtles, which have a decadent layer of chocolate to top them off! It’s a nice change from the classic chocolate chip, snicker doodle, and oatmeal raisin. Put these on a tray of assorted cookies at a party, they will surely be the first to go. There is just something irresistible about the saltiness of the nuts contrasting the sweetness of the chocolate and cookie dough. The texture is great too, because the cookie is a little soft and the nuts are nice and crunchy. (Warning: May cause euphoria). The dough is very easy to make. I have never had a problem attaining the right consistency, as long as you make sure the butter is room-temperature before you use it (I cheat and throw mine in the microwave on defrost for a few seconds just to be sure!). They are the ultimate holiday cookie though so I encourage you to try them!

{ Ingredients }

• ¾ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
• 1 (9.75 ounce) can of mixed nuts—almonds, cashews, macadamia, and walnuts
• 1 ½ cups (9 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels/chips
• 2 teaspoons shortening

{ To Make Cookies }

**Makes about 26 cookies.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat the butter at a medium speed with an electric mixer (fitted with paddle attachment) until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg yolk and vanilla, scrapping down sides. Add flour to butter mixture, beating until just blended.

What The Finished Dough Should Look Like

Using two spoons, drop dough onto cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball into a 2-inch circle, using fingers. Firmly press nuts into the tops of cookies.

Turtles Before Going Into Oven

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned (I like to rotate my pans half way through). Cool on baking sheets for 1 minute and then remove cookies and transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Place chocolate and shortening in top of a double boiler over hot water, stirring until melted.

Double Boiler System

Spoon the chocolate on top of the cookies, concentrating on the center and nuts. Let stand until chocolate hardens. Serve and Enjoy!