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!


Saturday, November 6, 2010

Cookie Recipe #308 - Chocolate Caramel Sandwiches


The chocolate cookie part of this sandwich is soft and airy, almost like a ladyfinger. Fairly easy to make; even easier to eat.

Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, softened, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 2 eggs, 4 tablespoons orange juice, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup cocoa powder. Filling: 3 1/2 ounces caramels (about 13), 1 tablespoon butter, 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk.

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees; line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

In a large bowl cream butter and confectioners' sugar until fluffy. Blend in eggs and orange juice. Sift together flour and cocoa; gradually blend into creamed mixture.

Spoon mixture into pastry bag fitted with a fluted tip. Pipe 1x3 inch strips, 2 inches apart, onto prepared baking sheets.

Bake 8-10 minutes in preheated 350 degree oven until just beginning to shrink at the edges. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Make filling: Combine caramels, butter and condensed milk in small saucepan. Place over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Spread filling on bottom side of half the cookies. Place another cookie on top, bottom side to filling, pressing slightly to make sandwiches. (If filling begins to harden, set container over a bowl of hot water).

Chill for a few minutes in refrigerator until filling hardens.

Makes 3 dozen sandwiches.

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

Cookies Rule!!!

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