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!


Monday, December 20, 2010

Cookie Recipe #352 - Peppermint Corn Flake Macaroons


This is a chewy cookie with the crunchiness of crushed candy canes. It is a simple recipe to whip up and bake. You may omit the crushed candy canes and use cut-up maraschino cherries instead (top with a cherry half).

Ingredients: 4 egg whites, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar, 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup shredded coconut, 3 cups corn flakes cereal, 3/4-1 cup crushed peppermint candies (or candy canes).

Instructions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets or line with parchment paper; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Stir in vanilla and cream of tartar. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff and glossy. Fold in pecans, coconut, corn flakes and 1/2 cup of the crushed peppermint candy. Drop mixture by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle tops with some of the remaining crushed peppermint candy.

Bake in preheated 325 degree oven about 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer immediately to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

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

Cookies Rule!!!

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