Crunchy Creamy Sweet

Decorated Sugar Cookies

December 22, 2011 by Anna

It’s a Christmas Tree cookie!

I have mentioned in an earlier post, that this year my Daughters, Audrey and Vivienne, are decorating cookies for the first time. I want to share their creations. I am totally in love with those cookies and proud of my Girls! 🙂

I showed them the technique on one cookie and they made a batch of beautifully marbled sugar cookies!

Vivi marbling the icing. 🙂

Audrey, creating the most beautiful cookies ever!

Please, do not mind the plates – they are their favorites! 🙂

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! I will be back next week to start of a special series of recipes 🙂

Nutmeg Scones with Cranberry Orange Butter

December 19, 2011 by Anna

Nutmeg Scones with Cranberry Orange Butter – delicious breakfast idea for the holidays!

Dec new+184a Nutmeg Scones with Cranberry Orange Butter

You know by now I love cranberries. ( Hence the jam and pop tarts. ) When I saw the recipe for a cranberry butter – I might have done my happy dance. 🙂 And that’s how a homemade butter lead me to bake something I have never baked before. ( Is it weird? ).

I got to think, what would go well with the butter? It would have to be freshly baked so the butter can melt on top. Mmmm… And that’s when I realized I have never made scones before. I have lots of experience making biscuits ( drop and cut out ), but not scones. Let me tell you, those fluffy goodies are so fast and easy to make, you will be enjoying them in no time. Or…. you can do what I did and prepare the dough the night before, shape it and cut into scones. Then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate overnight. Trust me, it will make you jump out of bed in the morning to bake them! Hmm, this would be a great Christmas morning addition to your breakfast, don’t you think? You do the work the night before and in the morning you enjoy the gift-unwrapping while your scones are baking. 🙂

I added nutmeg, as a spice we are enjoying this time of year. But feel free to add any spice you are favoring.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

December 16, 2011 by Anna Leave a Comment

In case you do not have enough Christmas cookies on your to-bake list, you might want add this one.

In case you feel like something is missing and you just had a plate-full of sugar cookies, you might want to think about this one.

I will make it easy for you – just make this one.

Nothing against sugar cookies! Don’t get me wrong. But sometimes you just need a chocolate cookie that melts in your mouth and you instantly relax. 🙂 And who doesn’t need to relax for a short moment during this crazy busy holiday time?

Print Recipe

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cookies

Servings: people

Calories: 415kcal

Author: Anna

Ingredients

1/3 c butter softened
1 c brown sugar packed
2/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 egg whites
1/3 c sour cream
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/4 c powdered sugar sifted ( place in a small bowl, for rolling )

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter for about 30 seconds.
Add sugar, cocoa, soda and cinnamon. Beat until all is combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl.
Add egg whites and sour cream and beat again.
Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. At this point you can cover the dough and refrigerate for about 3 hours, so it's easier to handle. I might have waited about 30 minutes ( impatient me, but how can you blame me - it's chocolate cookies we are talking about here! 🙂 ).
Drop a teaspoon of the dough into powdered sugar and roll into a ball. Place on a greased or parchment paper lined baking sheet, 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Edges of the cookies should be firm. Transfer all onto a wire rack and let cool.

Notes

Total time includes chilling time.

Nutrition