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, August 18, 2010

Cookie Recipe #228 - Pineapple-Filled Spritz


The sweet pineapple filling nestled between borders of cookie make this no ordinary spritz.

Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder; filling: 29 1/2 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained, 1 cup granulated sugar.

Instructions: Make pineapple filling first as follows: In saucepan mix drained, crushed pineapple and 1 cup granulated sugar; bring to a boil. Simmer till very thick, 25-30 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat; set aside.

Prheat oven to 400 degrees. In large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Stir together flour and baking powder; add gradually to creamed mixture, mixing till smooth.

Place 2/3 of dough in a cookie press with a ribbon plate. Press dough into strips the full length on ungreased baking sheets. Place remaining dough into press and press strips on a lightly floured surface. With a sharp knife, cut lengthwise strips into thirds and place one strip along edge of each strip on baking sheet forming a rim along both edges to hold the filling.

Spoon the Pineapple filling between rims of each strip. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately cut into 1 1/4 inch diagonals. Cool.

Makes about 6 1/2 dozen spritz.

"Better Homes and Gardens Gifts from Your Kitchen", Meredith Corporation, USA, 1976.

Cookies Rule!!!

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