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!


Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Cookie Recipe #151 - Spicy Molasses Waffle Squares


This isn't your ordinary waffle that you lather with butter and drench in maple syrup. These are spicy little cookie waffles topped with an orange glaze; they will start your morning off with a zing (or anytime of the day!).

Ingredients: 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour (or all-purpose, if desired), 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, dash of ground cloves, 2 slightly beaten eggs, 1/4 cup butter, melted, 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel, 3-4 teaspoons orange juice (or more, if needed).

Instructions: Lightly grease a waffle iron; preheat. Melt butter in microwave; allow to cool slightly. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves; set aside.

In small bowl, combine eggs, melted butter and molasses. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until mixture is moistened.

Drop batter by rounded teaspoonfuls 3 inches apart onto grids of prepared waffle iron. Close lid and bake about 1 minute or until cookies are golden brown. Using a fork, lift cookies off waffle iron and transfer to wire racks to cool. Continue with remaining batter.

Make glaze as follows: In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar, grated orange peel and orange juice, stirring until of drizzling consistency. When cookies are cool, drizzle the glaze generously over each one, then eat with pleasure.

Makes about 2 dozen waffle cookies.

"Better Homes and Gardens Biggest Book of Cookies", Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, IA, 2003.

Cookies Rule!!!

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