cookies

Bready or Not: Noel Cookies

Posted by on Dec 2, 2020 in Blog, Bready or Not, cookies, nutty | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Noel Cookies

We made it to December! Let’s celebrate with these Noel Cookies.

Bready or Not: Noel Cookies

These cookies are a fun mixture of textures and flavors. Chopped nuts crust a soft cookie, everything complemented by a zing of jam.

Bready or Not: Noel Cookies

I used good ol’ Smuckers strawberry preserves for this recipe and avoided large chunks of fruit. Really, use whatever jam you like!

Bready or Not: Noel Cookies

I was a bit concerned about how these cookies would travel to my husband’s work. I didn’t want jam to get everywhere and make a sticky mess. I found, though, that the dabs of jam stayed put and that waxed paper between the stacked cookies kept everything from going sticky.

Bready or Not: Noel Cookies

These cookies will keep for at least 3 days in sealed containers. They might last longer, but you’ll need to test your restraint to find out!

Recipe modified from Taste of Home Best Holiday Recipes 2008.

Bready or Not: Noel Cookies

These jam-filled cookies look bright and cheery for holiday cookie plates! Recipe makes about 40 cookies.
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookies, walnuts
Servings: 40 cookies
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • teaspoon scoop
  • parchment paper

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter half stick
  • 1/4 cup shortening
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3/4 cup finely-chopped nuts
  • 1/3 cup seedless fruit jam or preserves, avoid big chunks

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a big bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
  • In another bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture while also intermittently adding in the sour cream.
  • Use a teaspoon scoop to measure the dough. Roll into balls, then roll each ball in the chopped walnuts. Place cookies about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Use the end of a wooden spoon or another kitchen tool to create a deep indentation in the middle of each cookie. Add a dollop of jam to fill each well.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until set. Let cool on cookies sheet for a few minutes, then move to rack. Store in a sealed container with waxed paper between the layers. Keeps for at least 3 days.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Pie Biscotti

    Posted by on Oct 28, 2020 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, chocolate, cookies, pumpkin | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Pie Biscotti

    The 2020 pumpkin theme ends with a perfect fall treat: Pumpkin Pie Biscotti.

    Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Pie Biscotti

    These things are dangerously good, and yes, they really do taste like pumpkin pie–in crisp, crunchy form.

    Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Pie Biscotti

    I always keep pumpkin kernels around. I always use them in my Healthy Breakfast Cookies and in other things I make for myself, including salads. Use unsalted ones, if you can, or reduce the salt in the recipe.

    Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Pie Biscotti

    Like all biscotti, these are great not simply because they are delicious, but because they should keep quite well if kept in a sealed container.

    Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Pie Biscotti

    Enjoy these twice-baked treats with your hot drink of preference and feel appropriately autumnal.

     

    Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Pie Biscotti

    These perfectly-autumn biscotti embody mild flavors of pumpkin and spice. Dip them in a refreshing hot drink for the perfect breakfast or midday snack!
    Course: Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: biscotti, chocolate, cookies, pumpkin
    Author: Beth Cato

    Ingredients

    • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter half stick, softened
    • 2/3 cup white sugar
    • 1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
    • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 large egg room temperature
    • 1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 cup unsalted pumpkin kernels also called pepitas
    • 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • In a large mixing bowl, blend the butter, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt, until smooth and creamy. Mix in the egg and pumpkin puree. Gradually mix in the flour followed by the pumpkin kernels.
    • Divide dough in half. Place each piece spaced out on parchment. Dough will be very sticky, so shape with plastic spatula or greased or floured hands into 1-inch high flat rectangular logs.
    • Bake biscotti for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let set for 5 minutes. Use a long bread knife and slice down--don't saw--into long, even cookies. Space out cookies upright, if possible, or lay on sides.
    • Bake for another 25 minutes; if cookies are laying on sides, flip them to other side halfway through. Set out on stove or counter to cool and dry for several hours.
    • Melt chocolate in microwave or using a double-boiler on the stove. Drizzle chocolate over the ends of the biscotti and set again on parchment to set.
    • Store biscotti in sealed containers at room temperature for days or weeks.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Espresso Cookies

      Posted by on Oct 14, 2020 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, cookies, pumpkin | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Espresso Cookies

      These Pumpkin Spice Espresso Cookies look a perfect autumnal orange and taste like fall, too–with an added kick of espresso.

      Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Espresso Cookies

      I love pumpkin recipes that use a whole can of puree. No messing with leftovers, y’know? This recipe will use a full 15-ounce can!

      Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Espresso Cookies

      The pumpkin flavor comes through in the baked cookies, too, along with warm spices and coffee.

      Expect a texture that is light and cakey in the mouth, and slightly tacky to the fingertips. That’s pretty common with pumpkin cookies–or ones with applesauce, and this recipe includes both.

      Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Espresso Cookies

      I stored these cookies in the fridge because I live in Arizona and my kitchen is warm through fall, but these should keep fine at room temperature elsewhere.

      Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Espresso Cookies

      The recipe does make about 50 cookies, but as light and delicious as they are, they might not last that long at all.

      Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Espresso Cookies

      These pumpkin-packed cookies are soft and chewy, with a lovely crust of coarse sugar on top. Makes about 50 tablespoon-sized cookies.
      Course: Dessert, Snack
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: cookies, pumpkin
      Servings: 50 cookies
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • tablespoon cookie scoop
      • parchment paper
      • waxed paper

      Ingredients

      • 3 cups all-purpose flour
      • 1 teaspoon baking powder
      • 1 teaspoon baking soda
      • 1 teaspoon salt
      • 2 large eggs room temperature
      • 15 ounces pure pumpkin puree
      • 2 cups light brown sugar packed
      • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (4 Tablespoons) room temperature
      • 1/2 cup applesauce
      • 2 Tablespoons half & half or milk
      • 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
      • 2 teaspoons espresso powder
      • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
      • turbinado sugar for top

      Instructions

      • Preheat oven at 375-degrees. Line large cookie sheets with parchment paper.
      • In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
      • In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, pumpkin, brown sugar, butter, and applesauce. Add the half & half, pumpkin pie spice, espresso powder, and vanilla, until well combined. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
      • Use a tablespoon scoop to dollop dough onto the parchment paper, spacing out to allow for slight spread. Sprinkle turbinado sugar over the tops.
      • Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until the tops are dry and set. Move to a rack to completely cool.
      • Cookies will be slightly tacky, as many pumpkin cookies are, and should be stored with waxed paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together. Store in a sealed container at room temperature or in the fridge.

      OM NOM NOM

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        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies

        Posted by on Sep 30, 2020 in Blog, Bready or Not, cookies, pumpkin | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies

        Welcome to an annual tradition at Bready or Not–the autumn pumpkin theme! We begin with Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies.

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies

        This recipe makes a small batch (about 30 1-inch cookies) of delicious pumpkin shortbread cookies. I crusted the top with turbinado shortbread to make them extra pretty.

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies

        These cookies are not as dry as some shortbread can be, likely because of the pumpkin.

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies

        Pumpkin can make some baked cookies quite tacky; that’s not a problem here, in part, because the puree is actually dried a bit prior to being mixed into the dough.

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies

        The end result is a cookie that is just moist enough, perfect to go with tea, coffee, or perhaps some cider or cocoa. The orange color of the cookies makes them even more perfectly fall.

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies

        In Arizona, hot as it is, it’s important to enjoy some fall traditions like pumpkin goodies, even if it’s 100-degrees out and no trees are dropping leaves!

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies

        This small batch of pumpkin shortbread embodies fall flavors and colors, all with a lovely sugary crunch on top!
        Course: Appetizer, Dessert, Snack
        Cuisine: American
        Keyword: cookies, pumpkin, shortbread
        Servings: 30 cookies
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • 1 to 1 1/2-inch cookie cutter
        • parchment paper

        Ingredients

        • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
        • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
        • 1 cup all-purpose flour
        • 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons confectioners' sugar
        • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
        • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
        • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
        • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
        • turbinado or other coarse sugar, optional, for tops

        Instructions

        • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
        • Measure out pumpkin puree onto a couple of layered paper towels. Gently pat dry, turning over puree to sop moisture from different angles.
        • In a medium sauce pan, brown the butter, carefully heating it until it smells nutty. Remove from heat. Whisk in the pumpkin puree until well combined. Note that it might bubble and pop, so take care.
        • In a large bowl, combined the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to mix in the saucepan items.
        • Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and use a rolling pan to make the dough an even 1/4-inch thickness. Place it in fridge to chill for 5 to 10 minutes.
        • Set dough on counter and remove top parchment. Use cookie cutter to portion out cookies. Transfer to baking sheet, spaced out a bit. Mix leftover dough together again, adding a tiny bit of water if needed to make it cohesive, and cut out more cookies.
        • If desired, sprinkle turbinado sugar all over the tops of the cookies. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until cookies are set. Cool completely on baking sheet. Store in a sealed container.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not Original: Chewy Coffee-Cocoa Nib Cookies

          Posted by on Sep 9, 2020 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Chewy Coffee-Cocoa Nib Cookies

          Espresso-flavored chocolate chips are a new fad in American grocery stores, and I use them in this original recipe for Chewy Coffee-Cocoa Nib Cookies!

          Bready or Not Original: Chewy Coffee-Cocoa Nib Cookies

          I’ve tried two kinds of espresso chocolate chips. My favorite of the two was Tollhouse, which had a nice, clean coffee flavor that stayed nice and strong in the baked cookies, too.

          Bready or Not Original: Chewy Coffee-Cocoa Nib Cookies

          I also mixed in cocoa nibs. Nibs are VERY strong in flavor, so you don’t need much to add a boost of flavor and crunch.

          Bready or Not Original: Chewy Coffee-Cocoa Nib Cookies

          The flavor in these cookies is up-front when they are fresh from the oven, but after a day, I found the flavors deepened a good deal.

          Bready or Not Original: Chewy Coffee-Cocoa Nib Cookies

          These make for a perfect snack paired with coffee or tea, and remember, they contain some caffeine! Perhaps eat them for breakfast rather than as a midnight snack.

          Bready or Not Original: Chewy Coffee-Cocoa Nib Cookies

          Bready or Not Original: Chewy Coffee-Cocoa Nib Cookies

          Espresso-flavored chocolate chips and cocoa nibs add a fantastic wallop to this original cookie recipe! Note that the dough needs to be chilled for at least a couple of hours prior to baking. Makes about 50 teaspoon-sized cookies.
          Course: Appetizer, Dessert, Snack
          Keyword: chocolate, coffee, cookies
          Author: Beth Cato

          Ingredients

          • 3/4 cup unsalted butter 1 1/2 sticks, softened
          • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
          • 1/2 cup white sugar
          • 2 Tablespoons honey
          • 1 large egg room temperature
          • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
          • 1 cup bread flour
          • 1 cup all-purpose flour
          • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
          • 1 teaspoon baking soda
          • 1/2 teaspoon salt
          • 1 cup espresso-flavored chocolate chips Tollhouse recommended
          • 1/3 cup cocoa nibs

          Instructions

          • In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and honey and beat until creamy and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then mix in the egg and vanilla extract.
          • In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: bread flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Sift together.
          • Slowly stir together the wet ingredients and flour mix until just combined. Sprinkle in the chocolate chips and nibs. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and stash in the fridge for several hours or days; dough can also be frozen at this stage.
          • When ready to bake, preheat the oven at 350-degrees. Use greased stoneware, parchment paper, or silpat mats. The cookie dough, even straight from the fridge, has a soft Play-Doh-like consistency, and will spread when it bakes; keep this in mind when spacing cookie dough.
          • Teaspoon-sized cookies need to bake 9 to 12 minutes; Tablespoon-sized take 11 to 13 minutes. Let set on cookie sheets for 10 to 15 minutes before moving to a rack to cool completely.
          • Store cookies will keep in a sealed container, between waxed paper or parchment layers. Coffee and chocolate flavors will likely deepen after a day,.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not Original: Spiced Maple Macadamia Nut Cookies

            Posted by on Aug 19, 2020 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies, maple, nutty | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Spiced Maple Macadamia Nut Cookies

            These Spiced Maple Macadamia Nut Cookies mix maple sweetness and warm spices and chocolate with the wonderful crunch of macadamias. They are perfect for fall–and throughout the year.

            Bready or Not Original: Spiced Maple Macadamia Nut Cookies

            A food processor will be a big help in this recipe. The nuts and chocolate need to be in fine slivers. If the chunks are too big, the sliced cookies won’t be cohesive.

            Bready or Not Original: Spiced Maple Macadamia Nut Cookies

            These are fridge cookies. Form the dough into tube shapes, wrap up well, then stash them in the fridge or freezer. Then thaw, slice, and bake when you need cookies.

            Bready or Not Original: Spiced Maple Macadamia Nut Cookies

            If you do the full batch at once, you’ll likely get a lot of cookies, depending on your tube size and how you slice them. I got about 70 cookies.

            Bready or Not Original: Spiced Maple Macadamia Nut Cookies

            These are perfect cookies to warm up your belly on a cool autumn or winter night (or in Arizona, to make-believe in such a temperature shift).

            Bready or Not Original: Spiced Maple Macadamia Nut Cookies

            Bready or Not Original: Spiced Maple Macadamia Nut Cookies

            These sliced cookies are a delightful blend of sweet maple and warm spices with added nuance from chocolate and crunchy macadamias. Mix up the dough and stash in the fridge or freezer for future baking! Makes about 70 cookies.
            Course: Dessert, Snack
            Cuisine: American
            Keyword: chocolate, cookies, macadamia nuts, maple
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • food processor

            Ingredients

            • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter 3 sticks, room temperature
            • 1/2 cup white sugar
            • 3/4 cup real maple syrup
            • 4 cups all-purpose flour
            • 3 teaspoons ground ginger
            • 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
            • 1 teaspoon allspice
            • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
            • 1 teaspoon salt
            • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
            • 1 cup macadamia nuts
            • 3/4 cup chocolate chips semisweet or dark or mixture
            • 1/3 cup candied ginger finely chopped

            Instructions

            • In a food processor or by knife, finely chop macadamia nuts, followed by the chocolate chips. Set aside. (If these are not in fine pieces, the dough will fall apart when sliced.)
            • In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in maple syrup.
            • In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, spices, salt, and baking soda. Gradually work this into the creamed mixture. Fold in the nuts, chocolate, and candied ginger until incorporated.
            • Divide dough in half and shape into foot-long logs. Encase in plastic wrap. Chill at least two hours, or freeze for later baking.
            • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Unwrap log and cut dough into 1/4-inch thick medallions, reshaping with fingers as needed. Place spaced out on parchment-covered cookie sheet.
            • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until set with a firm, golden base. Cool on pan for 5 minutes then move to rack to completely cool.
            • Cookies keep for at least 3 days in sealed containers at room temperature.

            OM NOM NOM!

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