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 16, 2010

Cookie Recipe #165 - Apple and Cinnamon Sandwich Cookies


These resemble mini apple pies and are also similar in taste, but no fork is needed to gobble them down.

Ingredients: 3 apples, peeled, cored and diced, 2 tablespoons apple jelly, 1 tablespoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 egg, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, sugar for sprinkling.

Instructions: In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook apples, apple jelly, honey and cinnamon for 10-15 minutes, or unti apples are tender. Set aside to cool completely.

In a large bowl, mix together sugar, butter, shortening, vanilla and egg. Stir in flour and baking powder. Cover and chill for 1 hour in refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees; spray baking sheet with cooking spray or line with parchment paper; set aside.

Divide dough in half and roll each portion separately on lightly floured surface into a rectangle, 9x12 inches. Cut into 1 1/4x2 1/4 inch rectangles.

Drop 1 tablespoon of apple filling on half of rectangles, then cover with another rectangle. Press edges together to seal. Make 2 small incisions on the top of each sandwich; sprinkle tops with sugar (granulated or raw). Arrange on baking sheet and bake about 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

If desired, a simple icing of powdered sugar and milk can be drizzled over cooled cookies.

Makes 24 mini apple pie sandwich cookies.

"The Ultimate Cookie Book", Tormont Publications Inc., Montreal, Canada, 1997.

Cookies Rule!!!

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