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!


Thursday, December 16, 2010

Cookie Recipe #348 - Holiday Citrus Logs


Some chewy ingredients are used to make these citrusy logs that require no baking. They do need, however, 3-4 days for the flavors to blend, so plan ahead, then just slice and serve.

Ingredients: 1 (12-ounce)package vanilla wafers, crushed (about 3 cups), 1 (8-ounce) package candied cherries, coarsely chopped, 1 (8-ounce)package chopped dates, (1 3/4 cups), 1 cup chopped pecans or almonds, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur (or orange juice), 1 tablespoon white corn syrup, additional 1-2 tablespoons white corn syrup, heated, additional finely chopped pecans or sliced almonds, toasted.

Instructions: In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except additional corn syrup and finely chopped nuts. Shape into two 10-inch logs. Brush with additional corn syrup; roll in finely chopped nuts. Wrap tightly in waxed paper or parchment paper; refrigerate for 3-4 days to blend flavors. To serve, unwrap and cut into 1/4-inch slices.

Makes 2 (10-inch) logs.

"Treasury of Holiday Cookies", Publications International, Ltd., Lincolnwood, IL, 1994.

Cookies Rule!!!

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