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!


Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Cookie Recipe #220 - Mini Orange Madeleine Sandwiches


Two orange-flavored madeleines + orange filling = one delightful sandwich-soft, spongey and oh, so good.

Ingredients: 1 2/3 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup butter, melted, 1 tablespoon honey, 1-2 tablespoons grated orange zest; for filling: 3 tablespoons butter, 2 3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar, divided, 3 tablespoons (or more) freshly squeezed orange juice (or from a carton).

Instructions: Combine the 1 2/3 cups powdered sugar, flour, and cornmeal; set aside. In large mixing bowl, beat eggs until thick and lemon-colored. Add sugar mixture and beat just until combined. Add in butter and honey. Stir in orange peel. Cover and chill batter for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a mini madeleine pan with cooking spray (or use regular-size madeleine pan, but only fill about halfway). Stir batter and spoon 1 teaspoonful into each mold.

Bake for 7-8 minutes or until edges are golden. Immediately invert pan and gently tap on counter to unmold cookies. Using the tip of a knife, loosen cookies, if necessary. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Make filling as follows: Beat 3 tablespoons butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in 1 cup of the powdered sugar. Slowly beat in 3 tablespoons orange juice and the remaining 1 3/4 cup powdered sugar. Beat in additional orange juice, if necessary.

Spread filling onto bottoms of half of the cookies. Top with remaining cookies, flat sides down. Sprinkle with sifted powdered sugar before serving.

Makes about 2 dozen sandwiches.

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

Cookies Rule!!!

No comments:

Post a Comment