Monday, October 02, 2006

Holiday Cooking


Holiday
Originally uploaded by pwinn.



Overwhelmed with Joy is hosting Holiday Baking Blogger Style and I thought I would share two of my favorite cookie recipes!

Here is the first one. I have made these Peanut Butter Blossoms for many years and you can never eat just one!


Cookies
Originally uploaded by pwinn.




Chocolate
Originally uploaded by pwinn.



Peanut Butter Blossoms

Ingredients:

48 Hershey's Kisses
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.

2. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.

3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

About 4 dozen cookies.

Category: Cookies



Next up we have good old fashioned Shortbread. I discovered this recipe a few years ago and it is so yummy! Perfect for a little snack.


Shortbread
Originally uploaded by pwinn.




Shortbread
Originally uploaded by pwinn.



Martha Stewart's Basic Shortbread

This buttery cookie gets better with age: It can be stored up to a month, and over that time its flavor deepens. Dip the tips of the cookies in melted chocolate for a decorative touch.


1 1/3 cups (2 sticks plus 6 tablespoons) butter, room temperature, plus more for pans

2/3 cup sugar

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1. Preheat oven to 275°. Butter a 9-by-13-by-1-inch baking pan, and line bottom with parchment paper. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add salt and vanilla, and beat to combine. Add flour, 1 cup at a time, beating on low speed until just combined.

2. Press dough into prepared pan, leveling and smoothing the top. Using a dough scraper or the back of a knife, cut dough lengthwise into nine strips, each slightly less than 1 inch wide. Cut the strips crosswise into thirty-six 3-inch bars. Using the tines of a fork or a wooden skewer, create a decorative pattern on the surface.

3. Bake shortbread until evenly pale golden, but not browned, 70 to 85 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool. Invert pan, and remove parchment. Turn shortbread over, and carefully break, or cut with a serrated knife, into bars. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Makes 36 bars.

Category: Cookies


Be sure to go check out more delicious recipes at Overwhelmed with Joy!

19 comments:

Pamela said...

My eyes just light up when I see these at parties, and I am thrilled to get the recipe! Thanks :)

Sandra said...

Oh Kelli, I've been looking for a good shortbread recipe for a while, I can't WAIT to try this one, I just love shortbread :)

My kids will really enjoy the Peanut Butter Blossoms :)

Thanks for the great recipes :)

Susie said...

This shortbread cookie looks delish!
My grandkids will love the Peanut Butter Blossoms..
thanks for sharing!

Tanya said...

We make the peanut butter blossoms every year - so yummy!! I've never tried to make shortbread but I love it. This recipe sounds very simple - I think I might give it a shot :)

Jen said...

I love these cookies and cant wait to make them this holiday..thanks for sharing,
Jen

Ms. Kathleen said...

Wonderful recipes but I have to comment on your adorable picture on your blog at the top. That is just so cute! Thanks for sharing!

Patty said...

oh dear Kelli, those cookies and the shortbread look so good, don't expect they are on my weight watchers plan, well maybe I could have one !

Carole Burant said...

I've made these peanut butter blossoms before and they are indeed very yummy...I've copied your shortbread recipe, never found one that I really liked so this might be the one:-)

Unknown said...

Two cookies I haven't made in years! DH loves the Peanut Butter Blossoms. I love shortbread. It's really good dipped in Nutella. :o)

Rae said...

Mm, peanut butter blossoms.. one of my favorites as a child. I haven't had them in so long.. I'm saving this recipe! Thanks for sharing =)

BlondeBrony said...

I LOVE Peanut Butter Blossoms and my boys love shortbread. You've made our whole family very happy.

Crescent said...

Peanut Butter and chocolate, ahhhhh........Oh, excuse me as I drool. :0) I love Peanut Butter Blossoms too and make them every Christmas.

Overwhelmed! said...

Oh, I've made peanut butter blossoms and they're always a big hit! I've never tried to make shortbread, but if it's a recipe from Martha Stewart it has to be a good thing! :)

Thanks so much for participating in my Holiday Cooking, Blogger Style recipe exchange. I really do appreciate it!

Tina Leigh said...

Oh Kelli they all look Nasty!! Please send them to me so I can dispose of them!!!YUM!!!!! I mean NASTY!!

Anonymous said...

This shortbread recipe looks so much easier than the one I've tried before. I just love shortbread, yum.

Amy said...

These look *so* delicious. I just love your photos too - very appealing.

dot said...

That shortbread sure looks good. I'll have to try that soon. Thanks Kelli!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelli,
I love finding new cookie recipes, and the Peanut Butter Blossoms look delightful! This is one recipe that I plan to try in the next day or two! Thanks for sharing!
And thanks for your sweet comment on my post from Tuesday. You are always so encouraging! I'm always smiling after I read your comments!
Have a blessed day,
Amy
Picket Fence Mom

Anonymous said...

Oh! My husband and I love shortbread! Thanks for sharing!