Hot topics for both consumers and webmarketers on WebmasterRadio.FM
Every Wednesday, 5PM Eastern.
Cookie Recipes Tips
Brown Sugar Spice Cookie Recipe Offers A Tasty Spin On The Traditional Sugar Cookie
Brown sugar spice cookies are a delightful alternative to the standard sugar cookies recipe. The brown dough lends itself perfectly to autumn shaped cookie cutters like maple leaves or pumpkins. The recipe is very easy to make, yielding approximately 6 dozen cookies from one batch.
Prior to beginning any baking project, make sure to gather your entire cookie baking supplies and the ingredients into one area. This step helps to eliminate any unnecessary trips to the market halfway through the preparation of the cookie dough.
Since this is a cookie recipe that requires a lengthy amount of time in the refrigerator to chill, approximately 2 hours, do not turn on the oven to preheat it until closer to the time that you will be rolling out the cookies and cutting them into shapes.
The recipe includes the following ingredients:
1 ½ cups softened butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 egg
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1-teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1/4-teaspoon baking soda
To prepare this cookie recipe you will need two bowls, one large and one medium. You will also need an electric mixer, spatula, cookie baking sheet, parchment paper, scrapers, spatula and a wire cookie cooling rack. Quality mixing cups and spoons are best for measuring the ingredients as they will hold their shape longer and withstand the intense use over the years.
Begin with the small bowl and cream the butter and brown sugar together, adding the egg slowly. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
In a larger bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and baking soda. Mix until well blended and then combine with creamed mixture. Mix well.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Chill until firm, approximately 2 hours.
As you remove the brown sugar spice cookie dough from the refrigerator, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Roll out onto a floured surface to 1/8” thick. Use cookie cutters to cut the cookie dough into a variety of shapes and sizes. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned, carefully transfer to a wire cooking rack.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Davids Cookies Tip: A Cookie Platter Is Best When Filled With A Variety Of Tasty Cookie Recipes
Adding a few new cookie recipes every year is a great way to learn new baking skills, expand your families taste in cookies and explore different types of cookie recipes.
One great way to create a visually pleasing cookie platter is to think in terms of shape. Presentation is key in every element of life, down to the simplest of details; this is equally important when creating a cookie platter for an important family event.
Begin by imagining the base level of the cookie platter, choosing dense cookie recipes, which will hold up best once they have additional cookies stacked upon them. It is generally a good idea to place bar cookies, brownies and other heavier styles of cookie recipes in this location on the cookie platter.
The next layer can be compiled of snicker doodles, peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies and other cookie recipes that are as strong as the bar cookie and do not have any decorations to damage. It is also possible to build two layers on the base of your cookie platter combining both the bar cookies and the denser drop cookie recipes within each layer.
The top layer should include the decorated sugar cookies, thumbprints and gingerbread men. These are not very heavy and will not do damage to the lower levels of cookies.
The empty spaces between the top layer of cookies can be filled with homemade truffles and fudge. Placing these smaller cookies in this location will protect their delicate shapes, provide a “seat” in which the cookies can nestle and will prevent them from rolling or falling off of the cookie platter.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
A Simple Cookie Recipe That Adds Variety To A Holiday Cookie Platter
If you value the appearance and presentation of your holiday cookie platters, baking simple homemade truffles can provide the variety and visual dimension that you are seeking.
Truffles are often thought of as difficult to make, but with this simple recipe, they are easier than ever. This simple recipe creates delicious homemade truffles that look and taste like the fancy store-bought; surprise all your friend with your baking savvy when you present your homemade cookie platter this holiday season.
The simple recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles includes the following ingredients:
1 package, 8 squares, of semi-sweet baking chocolate
½ cup peanut butter
1 8oz tub of cool whip whipped topping, thawed
½ cup powdered sugar *
Using a large microwave safe bowl, microwave the semi-sweet chocolate on high heat for 2 minutes. Check the chocolate at one minute, stirring, to see if it is almost melted. Allow the chocolate to cook for another minute, removing from the microwave and stirring until completely melted.
Add the ½ cup peanut butter to the melted chocolate until well blended. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, stir in the whipped topping and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Using a melon baler or a teaspoon, scoop the chocolate peanut butter mixture out of the bowl and shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in the powdered sugar.
* While the recipe discusses rolling the peanut butter-chocolate balls in powdered sugar, it is possible to add variety to your truffles by rolling the balls in finely chopped roasted pecans, flake coconut (colored coconut is always a nice idea for holiday color variation), grated semi-sweet or white baking chocolate squares or colored sprinkles. The choices and variations can be endless with a bit of creative thinking.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Davids Cookies Tip: Autumn Cookie Recipes Reflect The Color and Flavors Of the Season
As the Halloween season quickly approaches, finding new and exciting autumn themed cookie recipes is not always easy. The Autumn Pumpkin-Oatmeal cookies are a perfect snack for harvest parties, after school study hall or just an afternoon with the kids.
This cookie recipe makes a large batch of cookies. The Autumn Pumpkin Oatmeal cookie recipe is very easy to prepare, so before starting do a quick inventory of your kitchen and pantry to insure that all the items are available. Once you have gathered all the ingredients into one area, get your cookie baking kit and begin to set your supplies upon the counter next to the ingredients. Taking the time to organize your cookie baking area will make for a much smoother baking experience.
The recipe will need the following ingredients:
1 ½ cup margarine
1-cup sugar
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1-teaspoon vanilla
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1-teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups quick oatmeal
1-¾ cups canned pumpkin
1 cup chocolate chips
The first step is to use a large bowl and cream together the sugars and the margarines. Making sure that the ingredients are well combined, at that point slowly add the vanilla and eggs. Beat until light and fluffy.
In another bowl, sift the dry ingredients. Sifting can be time consuming, allow yourself enough time to complete the task. Do not sift the oatmeal. Once all the dry ingredients have been added to the bowl, mix well. Begin to add the dry mixture into the other bowl, alternating between the canned pumpkin. When combined, slowly stir in the oatmeal and chocolate chips. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper; drop cookie dough by spoonfuls onto the parchment paper. If you do not have parchment paper, be sure to grease the cookie sheet prior to baking.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Chocolate-Coconut Macaroon Cups Are A Heavenly Delight For The Holidays
For chocolate and coconut lovers, the chocolate-coconut macaroon cups are the most delicious choice on the holiday platter. Once you have read through the entire cookie recipe, gather the ingredients and necessary cookie baking tools into one area. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
The ingredients for the Chocolate-Coconut Macaroon cups includes:
Non-stick cooking spray
2 large egg whites
¼ cup sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon salt
7 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
all-purpose flour for the spoon
½ cup almonds
Initially you had to determine which size non-stick muffin tin you would be using to bake your cookies. When you have decided, spray with non-stick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, mix the egg whites, sugar, and cocoa powder and salt until it is frothy and well blended. Using a fork, stir in the coconut until well coated.
Fill each muffin tin equally, carefully spooning in the mixture and pressing down gently with spoon dipped into flour. Sprinkle with almonds and press down gently to adhere to the cookie dough.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until almonds are golden; allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes in the muffin tin. Run a spatula or knife around the muffins before attempting to remove from the muffin tin. Turn cookies onto a wire cookie rack, allowing them to cool completely. These cookies can be stored in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to three days.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Davids Cookies Tip: For The Peanut Butter Cookie Lover, Try Double Peanut Butter Cookies
If you have a peanut butter cookie lover in your home, why not make a homemade batch of peanut butter cookies. This simple recipe for Double peanut butter cookies is double the flavor for peanut butter cookie fans.
Most of these ingredients can be found in your pantry, which makes it easy to create a quick batch of cookies without having to run to the market. Make sure to have all the cookie baking tools before you get started.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
The ingredients list for Double Peanut Butter Cookies includes:
¼ cup butter or margarine
½ cup shortening
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1-1/4 cups flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 package peanut butter chips
When making this simple cookie recipe, use a large mixing bowl in which to cream together the margarine or butter, shortening, peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and the egg, mixing until well combined. This is best done with an electric mixer but can be done by hand.
In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Once the dry ingredients are well blended, begin to add slowly to the large bowl, mixing as you go. When the two separate bowls are fully combined, add the peanut butter chips.
Using a large soup spoon or cookie scoop, begin scooping out the mixture and shaping into 1” balls. Place onto a cookie-baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten with a fork dipped in sugar, making a criss-cross pattern. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies have set up; allow cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire cookie cooling rack.
Another great idea for flattening the Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies is to find a glass or other item that has a decorative bottom; often antique dessert glasses have decorated bottoms on their stands. Using this type of glass bottom will add a decorative top to you cookie. You can also try a cookie press to achieve the same basic idea. Be sure that whatever you use to flatten your cookie that you dip it into sugar first.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Nothing Says Christmas Like Gingerbread Men
If there is one scent that says “Christmas,” it is gingerbread cookies baking in the oven. As the holidays draw closer, be sure to make the traditional holiday cookie recipe. This cookie dough recipe, while easy to prepare requires lengthy refrigeration time. Make sure that you allow enough time for chilling prior to the actually cutting and preparing of the dough.
The traditional gingerbread cookie recipe includes:
1-cup butter
1-cup sugar
½ cup dark corn syrup
1-teaspoon cinnamon
1-teaspoon nutmeg
1-teaspoon cloves
1-teaspoon ginger
2 eggs well beaten
1-teaspoon vinegar
5 cups flour
1-teaspoon baking soda
In a small saucepan, begin by creaming the butter with the sugar. Add the corn syrup and spices and blend well; heat all of the ingredients on the stovetop, stirring constantly until boiling. Once the mixture has boiled, remove from heat and let cool.
While the heated mixture is cooling, sift the flour and baking soda into a large bowl. Sifting large amounts of flour can take considerable time; so allowing the mixture to cool while you sift the flour is a great way to multi-task during your baking process.
When the mixture has reached room temperature, add the well-beaten eggs and vinegar to the mixture. Once these ingredients are well blended, begin to add the flour/baking soda combination to the liquid mixture, forming a smooth dough.
This dough must be chilled for several hours or overnight.
When you are ready to begin cutting the cookies, roll onto a lightly floured surface and cut into shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Make sure that the cookies are completely cooled before you begin to decorate.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Buy "Homemade" Cookies
It is possible to fill the house with the wonderful aroma of wholesome homemade cookies, while still keeping all the other life activities in order. Online retail outlets, such as David’s cookies, make it possible to make “home baked” cookies for the kids and still have time for every other responsibility that must be done to keep the household on track. David’s Cookies provides gourmet frozen cookie dough that is ready to bake when you are. Made with the same quality ingredients you would use in your own home, these delicious cookies provide a welcome alternative to having to purchase store bought cookies or staying up until dawn to make homemade.
David’s Cookies can be ordered in three popular varieties; chocolate chip, peanut butter and sugar cookie dough. There is also a fun alternative to the traditional cookie dough, the “Cookie Play Dough” set that includes six pounds of sugar cookie dough in a variety of four different colors; each colored dough can be used individually to make colorful cookies or can be mixed to create personalized color combinations. This is a great art activity to keep in the freezer for those rainy days when the kids are looking for something exciting to chase away their blues.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Chase Away the Chill of Autumn With a Maple Leaf Cookie Recipe
Nothing brings children to the table like the smell of homemade cookies.
If you love to make cookies for your family, a simple cookie recipe that will enhance the autumn spirit is the “Maple Leaf Cookie”. This petite cookie is a very popular treat at autumn parties, cookie exchange parties and as an after school snack.
This simple cookie recipe takes only a few ingredients, most of which will already be available in the pantry. The list of ingredients includes:
1-cup butter or margarine
2/3-cup sugar
½ cup pure maple syrup or maple flavored syrup
1/3-cup milk
3 ½ cups flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground ginger
Use a medium saucepan to combine the butter or margarine, sugar and syrup. Bring these items to boil, making sure that you stir frequently to prevent burning.
Once the ingredients have boiled, remove from heat and allow mixture to cool to room temperature. Add milk to the syrup mixture and stir until well blended.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and ginger. Slowly add the cooled syrup mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix well.
Divide the dough in half and wrap each section tightly in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours.
After two hours, take the dough out of the refrigerator. Roll out dough onto a lightly floured surface until it is about ¼” thick. Cut into shapes, a maple leaf cookie cutter is a great idea. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet lined with parchment paper for 8-10 minutes. Place cookies on a wire cooling rack immediately and brush with Maple Glaze (recipe below). This recipe will make approximately 3 1/2 dozen cookies.
The Maple Glaze is a delicious addition to the Maple Leaf Cookies. To make the Maple Glaze you will need to combine ½ cup of sifted confectioner’s sugar with 3 tablespoons of pure or maple flavored syrup.
