We are introduced, at an early age, to the sweet wondernous of a cookie. From teething cookies to soothe the swollen aching gums of incoming incisors, onto animal crackers purchased in rectangular-shaped boxes bearing a string handle for easy toting by little fingers. Deciding which part of the animal should be eaten first-the trunk of the elephant or the tail of a lion-depended on how hungry one was. Savor each and every one or simply gobble them down as fast as possible.

My next cookie memory would be the ever famous, possibly all-time favorite, the chocolate chip cookie. There is nothing better than to bite into a round circle of baked dough sprinkled with gooey melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. A chocolate chip cookie can dry tears, heal broken hearts, mend scraped knees and elbows and solve sibling arguments. Most of the problems in the world could likely be solved by a properly baked, right out of the oven, chocolate chip cookie. The power of a cookie is underestimated.

I will attempt in the next 365 days to prepare and comment on a year’s worth of different cookies-one for each day. My goal is to share with others my extreme love of cookies-baking them and especially eating them! Feel free to send me your favorite recipe, your earliest cookie memories, or how cookies may have influenced your life. Cookies Rule!


Monday, January 18, 2010

Cookie Recipe #16 - Lemon Poppy Drops


This is the first cookie I've made that I didn't like. I'm not a big poppy seed fan, but the cookie itself seemed dense and not too lemony. At the end of this recipe it did say to store in a container with a slice of apple for 2 days and it would soften up. Guess I don't want to wait for 2 days to eat my cookies...
Ingredients: 2 eggs, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of ground almonds, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, 1/4 cup poppy seeds.
Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large mixing bowl beat eggs, sugar, and lemon peel until light and fluffy. Sift flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking powder, salt and pepper all together and mix in with egg, sugar and lemon mixture until completely combined. Add in poppy seeds and almonds.
With floured fingers, roll into balls and place on ungreased baking sheets about 1/2 inch apart. Bake 13-15 minutes or until lightly browned on bottom. These cookies retain their shape and crackle slightly on top. Remove from oven and transfer to cooling racks.
Makes about 4 dozen cookies.
I'll try putting some in a container with a slice of apple and leaving for 2 days...have my doubts that I'll like them any better, but stay tuned for further comments.
Another recipe for Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies is on my list, so sometime in the days ahead I will try again...
Be brave, try this one and send me your comments on what would make it better (definitely more lemon peel; maybe some lemon juice; maybe some butter???)
Cookies still Rule!!! (even if today's don't)

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