BAKE
ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH US!
14 OF CARA’S FAVOURITE RECIPESFOLLOW ALONG DURING OUR SALE WHILE I SHARE THE RECIPES AND SOME HOW TO VIDEOS
DARK & WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT PATTIES
DARK & WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT PATTIES
Ingredients
8ouncesdarkorwhitechocolate
1/2tspofpeppermintextract
3cupsicingsugar
1/2cupsweetenedcondensedmilk
1/2tspvanillaextractorvanillabeanpaste
2tspvegetableoil
crushedcandycanes
Directions
Inamediumsizedbowlmixthesweetened condensedmilk,peppermintextract,and powderedsugartogetheruntilathick doughforms.
Rollthedoughoutanduseicingsugaronthe surfaceasneededtokeepitfromsticking.
Usingsmallroundcookiecutter,cutout1inch circlesfromthedough.
Placeontoaparchmentpapercoveredbaking sheet.
Placethepeppermintpattiesintothefridgeor freezerandallowtocoolforabout30minutes.
Placethechocolateinaheatsafebowl.Addthe oil.Heatthechocolateinthemicrowavein15 secondintervalsuntilthechocolateisfully melted.Stiruntilsmooth.
Usingaforkdipthepeppermintpattiesintothe meltedchocolateandplacebackonthewax papercoveredbakingsheet.Sprinklewith crushedcandycanes.
Onceallpattieshavebeencoatedplacethetray backinthefridgeandallowthechocolatetoset foranother30minutes.
Storethepeppermintpattiesinthefridgeor freezeruntilreadytobeserved!
Ingredients
BottomLayer
1/2cupunsaltedbutter
5tbspcocoapowder
1/4cupgranulatedsugar
1largeegg
11/4cupgrahamcrumbs
3/4cupfinesweetenedcoconut
1/4cupchoppedwalnuts
MiddleLayer TopLayer
3cupsicingsugar
3/4cupsbutter
1/4cupofmilk
1/4cupvanillacustardpowder
1tspvanillabeanpaste(optional)
8ozdarkchocolate
4tbspunsalted butter
Chocolatekrispy pearlsforgarnish
Directions
BottomLayer
Preheatovento350Deg
Layeraparchmentpaperina9x11"bakingpan, lettingsomehangoverthesidesoyoucanremove iteasilyandcutafter.
Meltthebutterinamediumsaucepanonmedium heat.Whiskinthecocoapowderandsugaruntil smooth.Removefromheatandstirinabeatenegg untilitthickens.About30seconds.Stiringraham crumbs,coconut,andwalnuts
Pressfirmlyintotherectanglepan.Bakeintheoven for10minandthenletcoolcompletely.
MiddleLayer
Addallthemiddlelayeringredientsinabowland creamtogetherusingelectricbeatersora kitchenaidmixer.Oncemixed,pouroverthecooled baseandspreadevenly.Whileyouworkonthetop layerpopthisallinthefridgetoset.
TopLayer
Addthebutterandchocolatetoamediumsized panoverlowheatandmelt.Stirtocombineand thenpouroverthecustardmixture.Smoothsoit’s spreadevenly. Optional:Beforethechocolatesets, topwithchocolatepearlsforgarnish.Letcool completely,cutintosmallsquareandstoreinthe fridgeorfreezer.
VANILLA CREAM
PASTRIES
Ingredients PastryDough
1cupunsaltedbutter
2cupssiftedflour
1/2cupwhippingcream
1/4tspsalt
1eggwhiteandsugarfordippingpastryin beforebaking.
Filling
1/4cupunsaltedbutter
pinchofsalt
3/4cupicingsugarbutter
1eggyolk(sub2tbspwhippingcream&1tsp vanillacustardpowder)
2tspvanillaorvanillabeans
Directions
Mixbutter,whippingcream,flour,andsalt (ingredients1to4)thoroughly.Rolloutthedough foldingitoverafewtimes.Chillforseveralhoursor overnight.
Preheatovento350Degrees.
Rolldoughoutandagainfold itoverafewtimes asyougo.Thishelpscreatethefluffylayersandis similartotheprocessofmakingapuffpastry.Cut outinto1½“rounds.
Dipeachroundintoeggwhitesandtheninto whitesugaronbothsides.Placeonparchment paperlinedcookiesheet.
Bakeuntilfluffy,andlightlybrown(7-9)minutes. Cool Filling
Blendsugar,butter,eggyolk,andvanilla (ingredients6-9).
Usetheabovemixturetosandwichbetweentwo rounds.
Ingredients
3cupsmeltedmilkchocolate 1cupgroundhoneyroastedpeanuts 1cupgroundripplechips
Directions
Meltchocolateinadoublebowlerormicrowavesafedish.
Inafoodprocessorchopupthepeanutsandsetaside.Do thesamefortheripplechipsuntilyouhave1cupchopped up.
Inalargebowlmixthemeltedchocolate,chopped peanuts,andchoppedchips.
Linea8x8squarepanwithparchmentpaper.Pourthis mixtureintothepan.Putthisintothefridgetoset.Remove andcutintosquaresandthenintotriangles.
SUGAR DUSTED CHEWY
EWY KIES
Ingredients
3/4cupunsaltedbutter,roomtemp
3/4cupdarkbrownsugar
1/3cupmolasses
2tspvanillaextract
1largeegg,roomtemp
21/3cupsflour
1/2tspbakingsoda
1/4tspbakingpowder
2tspgroundcinnamon
2tspgroundginger
1/2tspgroundcloves
1/4tspgroundnutmeg
1/2tspsalt
Crispyontheoutsideandsoftandpillowyonthe inside,theseclassicgingerbreadcookiesaremy sonBen’sfavourite. Makes2dozencookies.
Directions
Preheatyourovento350Degandlinetwo cookiesheetswithparchmentpaper.Setaside.
Inastandmixedfittedwithapaddle attachment,beatthebutterandsugartogether untillightandfluffy.Aboutthreeminutes.
Addthevanillaandmolassesandmixuntil combined.Addtheeggandmixuntilcombined.
Inaseparatebowlsiftallthedryingredients togetherincludingtheflour,bakingsoda,baking powder,salt,cinnamon,ginger,cloves,and nutmeg.
Addthosedryingredientstothewetingredients inthemixerandstiruntiljustcombined.Don't overmixortheywon'tendupsoftandchewy.
Bakefor 10-12minutesoruntilthecookieshave puffedupandthecrinklesontopareset.
Takeoutoftheoven,letcoolcompletelyand storeinanairtightcontainer.
HERSHEY KISS
Ingredients
1cupunsaltedbutter,roomtemp
11/2cupsflour
1/4cupwhitesugar
1/4cupicingsugar
1/4tspalmondextract
1/2tspvanillaorvanillabeanpaste Extrawhitesugarfordustingbeforethey gointheoven.
Directions Preheatyourovento350degrees.Lineacouple ofbakingsheetswithparchmentandset aside.
Inyourstandmixer,combineyourbutterand sugars.Beatuntillightandfluffy(about5min).
Addinalmondandvanillaextract.Mixuntil incorporated.
Addflourandmixuntiljustcombined.Atthis step,don'tovermix.
Measureouttablespoonsportionsandgently rollintoballsusingyourhands.
Rolltheballsinsugarandthenplacethemon theparchmentlinedbakingsheet.
Bakefor11-13minutesuntilslightlybrownonthe edges.
Assoonasyourthethecookiesoutoftheoven placeanunwrappedHersheykissontopof eachcookie..Le5coolcompletelyandstorein anairtightcontainerinthefridgeorfreezer.
Tips:Acandythermometerandkitchen scalecomeinhandyforthisrecipe.
1canofsweetenedcondensedmilk.
150mlwhole/3.5%fatmilk
450gramswhitesugar
1/2cupchoppedandtoastedwalnuts
Goodqualityseasalt.IlikeMaldon
Thisisabrandnewrecipeforme.Ilovetheideaof brownedbuttermixedwiththesweet,nutty,and salty.Ifoundasimilarrecipeonlinebutaddedthe nutsandsaltfordepthofflavour.
Directions Linean8x8panwithparchmentpaper.Setaside.
Chopyournutsandbrowninapanonthestove. Placetheminthebottomofyourparchmentlined pan.
Startwithbrowningthebutter,inalargeheavy bottomsaucepan,addthebutter,andheatover mediumheat.Oncemeltedthebutterwillfoam upabit,thensubside.Lightlybrownedspecks begintoformatthebottomofthepan.Shouldbe startingtosmellnutty.Youwantthebuttertobea darkbrown.
Takethebutterofftheheat,stirinthecondensed milk,milk,andcastersugarintothebutter.Overa lowerheat,stiruntilthebottomofthepandoesn’t feelgrittywithsugaratthebottom.
Inceasetheheatandbringtoaboil,boilthe mixturefor10-15minutes,carefulofthehotsugar, stirthemixtureconstantlysoitdoesn’tcatchon thebottom.Themixturewillhavethickenednicely. Useacandythermometertomakesureitcome uptotemp.237-239DegF.Ifitdoesn'tgethot enoughitwillenduptoosoftorevenrunny.
Pourintothepreparedtin,sprinklewithseasalt andleavetocoolcompletelybeforetouching. Leaveovernighttosetandcutintoevensquares.
1cupallpurposeflour
1/4tspsalt
1Tbspcocoapowder
105g(1/4cupdarkchocolate)
1tspespressopowderor2tspinstantcoffee
170g (1/4cup)unsaltedbutteratroomtemp
250g(11/4cup)whitesugar
80g(1/3cup+1tbsp)packedbrownsugar
2tspvanillaextractorpaste
4largeeggs
66g(1/3cup)darkchocolatechips
66g(1/3cup)milkchocolatechips
55g(1/3 cup)choppedpecans
1tspcinnamon
1/3tspcloves
1/2tspginger
SugarSpiceTopping
1/4cupwhitesugar
1tspcinnamon
1/2'tspcocoapowder
1/3tspcloves
1/2tspginger
Thisisanewrecipethisyearandit'samashupofthe Duchessbrownierecipeandthespicesfromthe Starbuckscinnamonloaf.
Tip:Akitchenscalecomesinhandyforthisone.
Directions
Preheatyourovento350DegF. Linean8x8pan withparchmentpaper.Setaside.
Inabowlwhisktheflour,salt,cocoapowder,and otherspices.
InadoublebowlerOrmicrowavesafedishmelt thechocolate,butter,andespressopowder.Mix aftertocombine.
Addthesugars,andvanillatothemelted chocolatemixture.Coolfor10minutes.
Addtheeggstwoatatimeandmix.Don'tover mixoryourbrownieswon'tbefudgy.
Gentlystirintheflour, darkandmilkchocolate chips,andchoppedpecansuntiljustcombined. Setaside.
Nextmixyoursugarandspicetoppingmixture togethersoit'sallincorporated.Setaside.
Pouryourbatterintoyourparchmentlinedbaking dish. Sprinklewithyour topping/sugarspice mixture.
Bakefor40-45minutesoruntilatoothpickcomes outclean.
RUM SPIKED BUTTER TARTS
1dozenfrozentartshells.Youcanalsomake yourownpiepastrybutstoreboughtworkstoo.
2largeeggs.
1/3cupunsaltedbutter,melted
1cupdarkbrownsugar
1/4cupwhippingcream
1tspvanillaextract
1/2cupraisins.Iliketouse darkersultanaand lightergolden(1/4cupofeach).
1/2cupchoppedpecans,toasted
1/4cupgoodqualitydarkrum.
Directions
Preheatovento350DegF.
Placeyourfrozentartshellsonabackingsheet.
Ifusingnutsorraisins,placeasmallamountin thebottomofeachshell.Iliketotoastthenuts inapanonthestovebeforeforalittleadded flavorbutyoudon’thaveto.Next,pourthefilling ontopofthenutsandraisinsleavingalittle roomforthemtopuffupwhiletheybake.Set aside.
Inamediumsizedsaucepan,whisktheeggs.
Whiskinthebutter(melted),sugars,andcream. Placeonmediumheatandstirconstantlyuntil themixturejustcomestoaboil.Immediately removefromheatandaddyourvanillaextract andgooddarkrum.
Bakeat350Degfor15-20minutesoruntilthe pastryisniceandbrownandthefillingisset. Removefromtheovenandplaceonawirerack.
Storeinthefridgeorfreezeruntilreadytoserve.
RED CURRANT
Tarteandsweettheseareasleeperhitwithall myfriendsandfamily.Theyaredifferentand lovely!
2cupssaltedbutter
11/2cupsicingsugar
21/2cupssiftedflour
1cupalmondfour
1/2tspvanilla
1/4tspalmondextract
1/8tspsalt
Filling
1jarorredcurrentjamorothertartjam
Icing
11/2cupsicingsugar
2tspwarmwater
1/4tspalmondextract
slicedblanchedalmonds,toasted
CookieDough
Creamthebutterandicingsugartogetheruntil lightandfluffy.
Mixinflouruntilblended.
Addalmondflour,vanilla,almondextract,and saltandmixuntilblended.
Wrapdoughandletchillseveralhoursor overnight.
Rolldoughuntilit’sabout1/16"thick.Youwantit tobeprettythinbutthickenoughtomovetothe cookiesheet.
Cutoutintosquareorcirclesandbakeona parchmentlinedbakingsheetfor8-10minor untiltheedgesarejuststartingtobrown.
Coolcompletelyandsetaside.
Icing
Mix11/2cupsicingsugar,warmwater,and almondextractuntilsmooth.
Ononesideofthecookiespreadsomejam leavingalittleroomtomoveandnotspillout. Coverwithanothercookie.
Spreadtheicingontopwithaknifeorpipeonin azigzagpattern.
Beforetheicingsets,sprinkletoastedalmonds ontopsotheysticktotheicing.
StoreinaparchmentlinedTupperware containerinthefridgeorfreezeruntilreadyto serve.
CINNAMON BUN EGGNOG COOKIES
Thisisatwistonaclassiccinnamonbuncookie I’vebeenmakingforyears.I’veaddedsome extraspicesandaneggnogicingtomakethem festive.
CookieDough
1cupunsaltedbutteratroomtemperature
1/3cupwhitesugar
3/4cupicingsugar
1/2teaspoonsalt
1-1/2teaspoonsgratedorangezest
1teaspoonpurevanillaextract
1largeegg
21/4cupsall-purposeflour
Filling
5tablespoonsplus2teaspoonsunsaltedbutter, softened
1/4cuppackedlightbrownsugar
11/2teaspoonslightcornsyrup
1tablespoongroundcinnamon
1/2tspginger
1/4tspcloves
2tablespoonsallpurposeflour
1/2teaspoonsalt
1/2teaspoonpurevanillaextract
Icing
1/2cupconfectioners'sugar
2tablespoonseggnog
1teaspoonpurevanillaextract
1teaspoonwater
Directions
Inthebowlofastandmixerfittedwiththe paddleattachment,beatthebutter,sugars,salt, zest,andvanillatogetheronmediumspeed untillightandfluffy,about3or4minutes.
Scrapedownthesidesofthebowlandaddthe egg,beatingwelltoincorporate.
Turnthemixerdowntolowandaddtheflour, mixinguntiljustbarelycombined.
Onasheetofwaxorparchmentpaper (whateveryourpreference),rollthedoughout toapproximately12"square(ormoreifyouwant togetmorespirals.Whenitcomestimetoroll intoalog,thepapermakesiteasiertoliftthe edgeandhandlethedough.
MAKINGTHEROLL
Inthebowlofastandmixerfittedwiththe paddleattachment,combineallofthe cinnamonsmearingredientsandbeaton mediumspeeduntillightandfluffy,about2or3 minutes.
Spreadthecinnamonmixtureontopofthe rolledoutcookiedough.
Rollthedoughintoalogshape.Onceyougetan edgestartedrollingbyjustfoldingitover slightly,youcansimplyliftthepaperedgeand useittoguidethedoughtocontinuerolling.
Wraptheloginplasticwraportheparchment paperyouusedtorollitoutandgentlysqueeze thelogtoensuretherearenoairpocketsinside. Youcanthenrollthelogafewtimestosmooth itbackoutifnecessary.
Transferthedoughtothefreezerforatleast1520minutes,untilfirm.
Whenreadytobake,preheattheovento375°F.
Removethedoughlogfromthefreezerand usingasharpknife,cutthedoughinto1/4" slices.Givethelogaquarterrollaftereachcut soitdoesn'tdevelopaflatedgefromconstantly pressingonthesameside.
Transferthecutslicestoyourpreparedcookie sheetsandbakeforabout12-14minutes, rotatingthebakingsheethalfwaythrough,until they’relightlygoldenaroundtheedges.Allowto coolonawirerackforafewminutesbefore removingthecookiesfromthepanandallowing themtocoolcompletely.
ICINGTHECOOKIES
Combinealltheingredientsfortheglazeina smallbowlandwhisktogether.Addadditional eggnogifitseemstoothick.Useapipingbagor knifetodrizzletheicingontoeachcookie.Allow tositatroomtemperaturetodrycompletely.
I’vebeenmakingthisrecipeforyears.It’soneof mysonJack’sabsolutefavouritesandandI’ve alsomadeawhitechocolateversionwith pistachiosandcranberries.
Ingredients
Crust
2Cupsallpurposeflour
2/3cupsicingsugar
1cupbutter
MiddleLayer
11/3cupbutter
2/3cuppackedbrownsugar
Topping
1packagemilkchocolatechips
1packageskorbits
1½cupsslicedblanchedalmonds
Directions
Crust
Preheatovento350Deg.
Greasea9x13inchpanandlinewithparchment.
Combineflourandicingsugarinalargebowl. Cutinbutteruntilmixtureresemblesfine crumbs.Pressevenlyintopan.Bakefor25 minutes.
Topping
Dothisstepwhilethecrustisbaking
Inabowlmix1packageofmilkchocolatechips, 1½cupsalmondsand1packageofskorbits.Set aside.
MiddleLayer
Place11/3cup(2½sticks)butter,2/3cup packedbrownsugarinasaucepanover mediumheat.Bringtoaboil,stirringconstantly. Allowtoboilforanotherminute(keepstirring). Makesurethatallofthesugarisdissolved.
Afterthecrustisoutoftheoven(stillhot),drizzle thehotcaramelmixtureoverthecrustlayer.
ToppingContinued
Sprinkle¾ofthechocolatechip/almondand skorbitmixtureoverentirecrust.
Bakefor16-20minutes
Takeoutoftheovenandsprinkletheremainder ofthechocolatechip/almondandskorbit mixtureonthetop.Placeunderthebroilerin yourovenforaminuteortwotobrownthe almonds.
Allowtocool.Foreasiercutting,taketheentire cookiebaroutofthepanandplaceonacutting board.Cutintosquaresandstoreinanairtight container.
CLAS
CLASSIC BETT
SUGAR C
ThisisoneoftheveryfirstcookierecipesIever madeoutofmymom’sBettyCrockerbook.Istill haveitandwillcherishforever.
Ingredients
1½cupicingsugar
1cupbutter,softened
1egg
1teaspoonvanilla
½teaspoonalmondextract
2½cupsall-purposeflour
1teaspoonbakingsoda
1teaspoonofcreamoftartar
GranulatedSugar
Directions
Inlargebowl,beat11/2cupspowderedsugar,thesoftened butter,1teaspoonvanilla,thealmondextractandeggwith electricmixeronmediumspeed,ormixwithspoon,untilwell blended.Stirinflour,bakingsodaandcreamoftartar.Divide doughinhalf;shapedoughinto2disks,andwrapinplastic wrap.Coverandrefrigerateatleast2hours. Heatovento375°F.
Rolleachdiskonlightlyflouredsurfaceuntil1/4inchthick.Cut with2-to21/2-inchcookiecuttersintodesiredshapes.On ungreasedcookiesheets,placecutoutsatleast2inches apart.
Bake7to8minutesoruntiledgesarelightbrown.Cool1 minute;removefromcookiesheetstocoolingracks.Cool completely.
Inmediumbowl,beat3cupspowderedsugar,3tablespoons milkand1/4teaspoonvanillawithspoonuntilsmoothand spreadable.Ificingistoostifftospread,addadditionalmilk,1 teaspoonatatime.Tintwithfoodcolor.Spreadicingon cooledcookies.Decorateasdesiredwithcoloredsugaror candysprinkles.Letstandabout4hoursoruntilicingisset. Storecoveredinairtightcontaineratroomtemperaturewith waxedpaperbetweenlayers.
1/2cupfancymolasses
1/4cupbutter,melted
2eggs
1tspvanilla
2cupflour
1tspgroundginger
1/2tspbakingsoda
1/2tspcinnamon
1/4tspgroundcloves
3/4cupdiceddriedcranberries
1pinchsalt
Frosting
1pkgcreamcheese,softened
1cupbutter
11/2cupsicing
2tsp.lemonjuice
1tspvanillaorvanillabeanpaste
1/4cupdriedcranberries
1/4cupcandiedginger
1/3cupmeltedwhitechocolatetodrizzleontop
Directions GingerbreadCake
Preheatovento350DegF
Grease13-x9-inch(3.5L)metalcakepan;line withparchmentpaper.Setaside.
Inbowl,whisksugar,molasses,butter,eggsand vanilla.Inseparatebowl,whiskflour,ginger, bakingsoda,cinnamon,clovesandsalt;stirinto buttermixtureuntilcombined.
Scrapeintopreparedpan.
Bakeincenterofovenuntilcaketesterinserted incentercomesoutclean,about40minutes. Letcoolinpanonrackfor45minutes.
Frosting
Makefrostingbycombiningandbeatingthe softenedbutterand icingsugaruntillightand fluffy.Addthesoftenedcreamcheeseuntilit’s lightandsmooth.
Addthelemonjuiceandvanillaextractandstir untilincorporated.
Whenthecakehascooled,useaspatulato spreadfrostingoverthetopofthecake.
Sprinkle1/4cupofdicedcranberriesanddried gingeroverthefrostingonthecake.
Melt1/3cupwhitechocolateinthemicrowave anddrizzleontopafter.
