Cookies! Cakes! Baking this and that... > Likes and Comments

I think you know what this topic is about...

COOKIES!!!

Anything about cookies (the kind you eat, not the kind that remembers your passwords) here. :-P Or cakes. Or swiss rolls. Or bread. Or heck, no bake treats! Whatever floats your boat in the baking or treats zone.

Feel free to share recipes/links and photos as well.
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We were just talking about cookies in the chocolate thread, hence this new cookies thread.

I need to make cookies tonight for an exchange tomorrow. I was thinking of making "Maple Pecan Meltaways". Basically a buttery (vegan tho) pecan cookie with a maple twist, which I have to figure out still... probably will put extract in both and real syrup in the frosting.

Wow, that sounds good!

I hope it tastes as good as I imagine it, ha!

Gertie wrote: "I hope it tastes as good as I imagine it, ha!"

That’s brave! I hope they turn out or next year you might get booted out of the cookie exchange. LOL

Lol, well I organize it, so I have that going for me...

I'll let you know how they turned out.

I think I'm going to make a batch of Buckeyes soon to pass along to all of my new neighbors and co-workers.

Chip wrote: "I think I'm going to make a batch of Buckeyes soon to pass along to all of my new neighbors and co-workers."

Where do you live, Chip? I want to be a new neighbor ;)

I used to make Christmas cookies and bake bread to give away etc. Then my daughter took over. Now no christmas cookies.

IDK, maybe I will get into the mood to bake some this year. I have a few that are my “go to” recipes like chocolate crinkles and snowball cookies.

I want to mention right now, because I feel too lazy to go downstairs and look up my cookie recipes for you, that I have lost 40 lbs on my new diet which includes consuming a large chocolate chip cookie every day with my healthy salad option.

Balance is important.

How large is this cookie?

Fishface wrote: "I want to mention right now, because I feel too lazy to go downstairs and look up my cookie recipes for you, that I have lost 40 lbs on my new diet which includes consuming a large chocolate chip c..."

That sounds like my kind of diet!

I plan on making these this weekend:

https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/...

Anne (w/ an E) wrote: "Chip wrote: "I think I'm going to make a batch of Buckeyes"

Where do you live, Chip? I want to be a new neighbor ;)"

He's in Ohio, the buckeye state. :-)

Those look interesting Erin, I love cake mix, it has that interesting spicy vanilla taste.

These came out well, the cookies are *really* melt-in-your mouth airy, and the frosting brings sweetness the cookies don't have a whole lot of.

"Maple Pecan Meltaways" (I forgot to put pecan in the batter, sadly.)

How did your cookie exchange go?

Pretty good, a few people brought two kinds, so with 8 people we had about 11 varieties of cookies. One person brought in a savory one, and the rest were sweet, from peanut butter, to mint chocolate chip brownies, oatmeal ices, molasses, even one that was a cutout with our company logo pressed into it, lol! I made the mistake of eating 3 cookies too close to lunch, but hey, now I have leftovers for dinner.

Gertie, would you share the recipe for the maple pecan meltaways? My family is planning to make cookies together this weekend, and I want to try them!

I can try! The only thing is that the frosting is "wing it" style. I'll make some approximations...

Base cookie is a butter cookie (I used Earth Balance for butter, added a little more vanilla and salt and probably 1/4 cup more sugar, so you can probably tweak as you like.) They are not very sweet so you definitely will want to roll them in powdered sugar or add frosting. I sprinkled on powdered sugar after they were cooked then "piped on" maple frosting. Add finely chopped pecans to the cookie dough if that sounds yummy.

1/4 cup softened butter, 1/4 cup shortening (or all of either)
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp maple extract (I used "mapleine"), then more at the very end until it's just the right amount of maple for your taste buds
Dump in some powdered sugar and mix with hand mixer, adding powder sugar and mixing until you have a thick frosting. Then add water (1/8 cup to start) and mix until it gets fluffy.

Decorate as you like!

I hope they turn out if you make them. I have a few leftovers I have to not eat tonight, so I can take them to a game day party tomorrow.

Gertie wrote: "I can try! The only thing is that the frosting is "wing it" style. I'll make some approximations...

Base cookie is a butter cookie (I used Earth Balance for butter, added a little more vanilla and..."

Thanks, Gertie! I'll report back on how it goes!

Gertie wrote: "Those look interesting Erin, I love cake mix, it has that interesting spicy vanilla taste."

So do I. I'll report back once they are done.

Nancy wrote: "How large is this cookie?"

About 3" in diameter. Almost as much chocolate as cookie. They're the ones you get at Wendy's. 290 calories each IIRC. Of course I have them give me the salad minus the cheese, which cuts a zillion calories, and I use only half the dressing, which cuts a zillion more.

Fishface wrote: "Nancy wrote: "How large is this cookie?"

About 3" in diameter. Almost as much chocolate as cookie. They're the ones you get at Wendy's. 290 calories each IIRC. Of course I have them give me the sa..."

They have salads at Wendy’s?

Several kinds, yes!

*glances around fearfully, knowing we are only supposed to be talking about cookies*

https://www.marthastewart.com/313989/...

I spotted this recipe on Pinterest and was intrigued that when they are still warm from the oven you can form them around the bottoms of the cups on your muffin tin, let them cool and use them as bowls for fruit, ice cream or what have you. You get them out of the oven and let them cool only 1 minute before putting them on the muffin tin or they will be too hard to bend.

Florida Orange Cookies

1/4 c butter or equivalent
3/4 c sugar
1 egg, beaten, or equivalent
1/4 c orange juice, fresh squozen if possible
Grated zest of 1 big honking orange
2 t baking powder
3 c flour

Cream butter and sugar together with a fork before adding zest. Add juice and egg; mix before blending in combined flour and baking powder. Roll out fairly thickly on a floured surface and ply the cookie cutter, or just slice them into triangles with a knife. Bake on cookie sheets at 350 degrees F about 12 mins, until browning at the edges.

I serve these plain-looking little guys at parties and they are all gone in a couple of hours even if there are only 3 people there and I made a double batch.

Gertie,

The cookies turned out fantastic. We made them this afternoon. Here is the cookie base recipe we used, followed by the version of your frosting recipe we went with:

Butter Pecan Cookies
1 cup butter
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2¼ cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans

Maple Frosting
¼ cup softened butter
¼ cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup maple syrup
2 teaspoon maple extract
2¼ cup confectioners’ sugar

Are you guys watching to Holiday cookie baking show on the Food Channel? (Those in the US). There are some intense cookies.

Jennifer wrote: "Are you guys watching to Holiday cookie baking show on the Food Channel? (Those in the US). There are some intense cookies."

I have the food network on at 8:00 every night as background. Those Christmas cookies are amazing. I don’t have the patience for rolling dough and cookie cutters much less decorating them.

Jennifer wrote: "Are you guys watching to Holiday cookie baking show on the Food Channel? (Those in the US). There are some intense cookies."

I've seen it, those are some amazing cookies.

Anne (w/ an E) drooled: "Chip wrote: "I think I'm going to make a batch of Buckeyes soon to pass along to all of my new neighbors and co-workers."

Where do you live, Chip? I want to be a new neighbor ;)"

If you are close enough to Columbus, Ohio - I succeeded. Here are 30 dozen Buckeyes.

Jennifer wrote: "Are you guys watching to Holiday cookie baking show on the Food Channel? (Those in the US). There are some intense cookies."

Unfortunately, when we cut the cord and switched to YouTube.tv, we lost the Food Channel so I've had to content myself with The Great American Baking Sow Show.

The show is actually pretty good. I was just so amused by my typo that I left it there with the correction. I do miss the cookie show. I may have to go to the web site and see if I can stream it (or watch it when I go down to my parents house for the holidays).

Buckeye Recipe

PEANUT BUTTER CENTER
1 stick softened butter
1 3/4 c. (1 18 oz. jar) creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
About 1 lb. confectioners sugar

CHOCOLATE COATING:
1 (12 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tbsp. vegetable shortening (optional...gives them a bit of a shine)

Instructions
Cream butter, peanut butter, and vanilla together, adding confectioners' sugar until proper consistency is reached.
Roll candy into 1-inch balls and place on wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Let set a couple of hours (optional...my hands usually need a break plus I think it helps them firm up).

Melt chips and shortening together in the top of double boiler.
Keep the chocolate mixture in double boiler over low heat while you dip each candy.
Using a toothpick, dip each ball, covering about 3/4 of candy.
Place candy on a sheet to cool.

Chip wrote: "Anne (w/ an E) drooled: "Chip wrote: "I think I'm going to make a batch of Buckeyes soon to pass along to all of my new neighbors and co-workers."

Where do you live, Chip? I want to be a new neigh..."

30 dozen! That is a lot.

Chip wrote: "Anne (w/ an E) drooled: "Chip wrote: "I think I'm going to make a batch of Buckeyes soon to pass along to all of my new neighbors and co-workers."

Where do you live, Chip? I want to be a new neigh..."

Too bad I don't live near you, I'd come over and try one!

I'd try 10!

I think I'll change this topic to "baking"! (Though with the caveat the even no-bake treats like buckeyes will not be turned away...)

Low carb donuts made as cupcakes:



Low carb pecan cookies:

Randy wrote: "Low carb donuts made as cupcakes:





Low carb pecan cookies:



"

Great pictures, Randy. Can we get the recipes?

Yes, we need the recipes!

All this cookie talk is making me inspired to make the chocolate crinkle cookies next week.

I just whipped up my applesauce cake. Divided it in 2 so I can eat one and bring one to work:

APPLESAUCE CAKE

3/4 c veg oil
1/2 c unsweetened applesauce, homemade if possible
1 c each brown and white sugar
3 eggs (or flaxseed equivalent)
1 t vanilla
1.5 t each cinnamon and baking soda
Dash of nutmeg
3 c peeled, cored, chopped apples (about 3 lg or 6 smaller ones)
2 1/3 c flour

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix oil, applesauce and sugars until smoothly combined. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla, soda and spices. Blend well before folding in apples. Add flour last. Pour into a 9x13 or two 8x8 greased baking pans. Bake about 1/2 hour, until it passes the toothpick test.

Best sprinkled with more cinnamon rather than glopped up with frosting. Pour more applesauce over the top to serve.

Hmmm... I may need to check my cupboard for ingredients.

I miss baking. The Indian guy and the teen don't really eat baked goods.

Do what I do and take it to work!

EDIT: Started an experimental batch of the green tea cookies mentioned above, using oat flour so a GF co-worker can have some. I figured, hey, it's shortbread and isn't intended to rise anyway. My question is whether the oat flour taste will challenge the flavor of the matcha powder which is pretty subtle. I assume the pistachios will get by OK regardless of the flour I use...

Experimental cookies were a total disaster. Sob!

Fishface wrote: "Experimental cookies were a total disaster. Sob!"

I have never used oat flour. Oats aren’t always GF anyway because they are grown next to wheat fields and usually use shared equipment when harvesting and the wheat sometimes blows into the oat fields and you might have a few stray wheat plants growing with the oats.

Unless they are certified GF oats which usually aren’t grown anywhere near wheat.

Any reason you used oat flour versus a blend of other flours like rice, sorghum, almond, potatoe starch, tapioca? You also need to usually add a small amt of xanthan gum to the flour mix to act like glue since there isn’t any gluten.

I made matcha cupcakes one and they were surprisingly delicious.

I used oat flour because I had oats and have ground them into GF flour without incident in the past. I definitely do not keep ingredients like xanthan gum in the house. I don't even know where to find it, let alone how to use it. The green tea cookies are great made with regular flour. I thought oats would be fine as the flour didn't need to rise, but the neatly-formed cookies dissolved into a single giant pancake that covered the entire cookie sheet.

Fishface wrote: "I used oat flour because I had oats and have ground them into GF flour without incident in the past. I definitely do not keep ingredients like xanthan gum in the house. I don't even know where to f..."

Yay, that happens with gluten free cooking. You can find xanthan gun in the baking section usually. It really is an art form.

It took me a few attempts at Stan’s oatmeal cookies to get them not to be flat as a pancake gluten free. I perfected them and they actually hold there shape now. My husband has requested them for christmas cookies.