RED VELVET CRACKLE COOKIES

There is something so sexy about red velvet. Classy sexy. It is confirmed that red velvet cake is up there on the best cake ever list. Could cookies be the next best thing?

SAMBOS AND SILVANAS

Half of me wants to detox and diet but half of me wants to celebrate the new year. I am so thankful to have another year to look forward to, a blank chapter to fill with life stories. I know that sometimes we just get dragged along by life's currents that we are only half aware that time is ticking by. While it may seem that life just goes on and on, for someone like  me who has  experienced a drastic life changing event, life can seem pretty volatile. I have now learned that life is indeed fleeting. Our courses have been charted for us and we do not know where that leads and when we'll reach our final destination.  I'd like to take the opportunity to appreciate each day and enjoy life and everything it gives.

FLOURLESS PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

I do not bake cookies a lot. I probably like savoury snacks more than sweet ones. This one, though, is one that I really like, and if I am in the mood to bake cookies, this is most often the one I make.

CHAR SIU PORK COOKIES

I love sweet and savoury twists on recipes, even on meat. This cookie like concoction is actually sweet pastries filled with char siu pork. They are just exceedingly delicious. The pastry is a crumbly and crisp sweet shortcrust and that goes so well with the pork filling. 

CHINESE PEANUT COOKIES

We used to go home to Malaysia for the Chinese new year every year until the children started school. I just enjoyed the festive atmosphere everywhere but most of all in the shops. I feasted my eyes on the beautifully packaged munch-able goodies. Red and gold trays of assorted lucky foods were piled high on display tables. 

SPOOKY CHOCOLATE COOKIES

It's Halloween once again. The celebration here in the UK is very quiet compared to America. Although of late there are more Halloween stuff in the shops, the trick or treating is not a happy affair. There are just a handful of kids going around. I still prepare sweets though, so as not to disappoint those who knock at our door. 

PACIENCIA COOKIES

The word "paciencia" means patience in Spanish and Filipino (but spelled differently). It is also the name of this very old fashioned cookie drop that is a cross between a meringue and a cookie. It is light as air, crisp and delicate in flavour. I don't know the origins of this recipe but I guess in those days when everything is done by hand and from scratch it would really take a lot of patience to beat egg whites until stiff and to pipe coin sized rounds onto hand oiled baking paper. We are luckier these days as it doesn't take much effort to make these cookies.


These are perfect for edible gifts or standby snacks for unexpected guests. These cookies are very moreish, and is best kept in very tight lidded jars to keep yourself from finishing them all in one go.

Ingredients:

4 eggwhites
1 cup sugar
1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract

Method:

Preheat  the oven to 275° F/140° C. 


Beat the egg whites until stiff. Add the sugar gradually while still beating. Add the vanilla or almond extract. Sift the flour and baking powder together. Add to the egg whites and fold in. Attach the coupling into a piping bag but don't put any icing nozzle. Spoon the mixture into the bag. Pipe flat coin sized rounds (about 1 1/2" in diameter) onto lined baking sheets and bake for 20 minutes or until light brown and crisp. 


Leave to cool in the pans before transferring into jars.

 

This post is  for the KULINARYA COOKING CLUB theme for December 2010:  Filipino Food Gifts. 

See the posts of the other members by visiting their blogs.




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Peanut Butter Yemas

Chinese Peanut Cookies

Polvoron de Almendras

Adora's Box has exclusive rights to all the recipes and photos in this blog.

CARAMEL BUTTER COOKIES

Halloween is not just a time to be spooky. It is also a time when all is allowed to overindulge in sweets. It is nice to nibble on biscuits while waiting for trick-or- treaters or, if feeling generous, offer them some. It takes just a few ingredients to make these treats. I've cut them in Halloween shapes but they can be cut in any shape. In fact, they can simply be rolled into balls and pressed down with the tines of a fork.

Ingredients:

1 c. butter
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 cup skimmed milk powder
2 1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Method:

Cream the butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the sugar and milk powder while beating, until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract. Stir in the flour. Cover and refrigerate the dough to firm it it up. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F/180 degrees C. 


Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into shapes. I find it easier to roll the dough on a lined (with non-stick liner or baking paper) baking sheet, stamp out the shapes, then peel off the excess. Re-roll dough and cut more shapes. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes or the until golden brown and firm to the touch. Leave in the pan for 2 minutes before lifting onto a cooling rack.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!

Adora's Box has exclusive rights to all the recipes and photos in this blog.