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!


Friday, August 13, 2010

Cookie Recipe #223 - Pizzelles


While wandering through the aisles of the local flea market I found a treasure - the pizzelle maker shown in the picture. I had seen recipes for this Italian cookie but didn't think I would have a chance to make them because of this needed unique untensil. I love the crispness and are especially delicious when broken into four pieces and served with a dish of ice cream (chocolate, of course!) If you don't own a pizzelle maker, ask your mother or grandmother or your neighbor's mother or grandmother-it will be worth the hunt! (Can also be found on-line).

Ingredients: 3 eggs, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons baking powder (yes, tablespoons).

Instructions: Beat eggs till foamy; stir in sugar. Add cooled butter and vanilla. Stir flour and baking powder together thoroughly. Stir into egg mixture; mix well. Cover. Chill about 1-2 hours (or overnight).

Using 2 tablespoons dough for each cookie, shape into balls. Heat a seasoned (sprayed lightly with cooking spray)pizzelle iron on top of stove over medium-high heat. Place one ball of dough at a time on iron. Squeeze lid to close; bake until golden brown, flipping on other side after 2 minutes and baking 2 minutes longer.
(you may have to throw out the first one or two as they have absorbed the oil). As you continue with each ball, the baking time may shorten as the iron gets hotter; adjust accordingly. Turn out on wire racks to cool. Cookies harden as they cool.

Makes about 2 dozen pizzelles.

This recipe comes from my $.50 garage sale cookbook find-"Better Homes and Gardens Gifts from your Kitchen", Meredith Corporation, USA, 1976.

Cookies Rule!!!

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