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Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Tres Dias de Macaroons




I would say out of any cookie I make macaroons the most. They are light and soft on the inside and crisp on the outside. They are about a bite and a half size if you are eating in front of people but when I am alone say lounging on the couch and no one is looking I pop them in one after the other.

I made coconut macaroons for three days last week for two gifts. Why it took three days I am not sure but things happen when you are baking that you cant explain. Monday I started a batch for a baby shower gift. I ended up experimenting with egg whites in the carton and sugar substitute and they didn’t turn out. To the trash they went.

Tuesday evening rolled around and I started again. I've been making these for years and sometimes this happens. I made them too big and the center wasn’t cooked all of the way causing the egg whites and sugar to bubble up and ooze all over the baking sheet. Not pretty. So, I trashed those as well, actually, I put them down the garbage disposal this time which apparently was a big no-no. I clogged the sink causing the dishwasher to back up and our neighbors sink to back up as well. We called the plumber and of course hid the evidence.

By Wednesday I’m feeling pretty pumped up. I got a tablespoon sized ice cream scoop and I was excited to use it. The ice cream scoop is by far my favorite tool in the kitchen that I use mostly for other tasks than intended. 

For the baby shower gift I made the standard vanilla with chocolate drizzle on top. The second batch was for my Dad, a variety of flavors I have been testing and perfecting for about a year. Both batches turned out perfect. I put them in over sized muffin liners and layer them in a small cookie box I got at Paper Source. I then wrap the box in ribbon and put my logo on top. My dad called me yesterday to tell me that the presentation was great and they were delicious...but he doesn’t really like coconut. Funny how things work like that. 

So, remember sometimes third time's a charm and there is no rhyme or reason in the kitchen :) Bake on!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

The Short'ning of it

(Photo: Grandpa Robert, Katie, Great Grandma Doyle and Me, 2004)

The short of my inspiration to create my first blog ever would be my great Grandma Doyle and her sugar cookie recipe.
As girls, my sisters and I would stay with my father every summer and spend our days with her. She would make us these delicious sugar cookies topped with a single raisin wrapped in wax paper.

This recipe calls for equal parts shortening and butter. Yes, I know shortening is a big no no so, I just use butter. The sad thing is that in 2005 she passed and I felt regret that I didn't know her better, as an adult.
I am not much of a story teller nor professional baker but I will be sharing my Grandmother's life through making her specialties and hopefully becoming a great baker as she was. Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy. ~Sarah