Friday 19 December 2008

I'm A Broken Biscuit From The Cookie Jar

Friday Faff: Christmas Baking Edition

I finished my Christmas baking last week and have happily moved onto the eating portion of my holiday season. I am currently in a cookie coma.

First, I made Angella's whipped shortbread. These were so popular that I had to make another batch. I have grounded myself from making a third batch because I'm pretty sure it's not a good idea for me to eat twenty shortbread cookies a day.


Next, I made these little gems (recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart.) They're not too sweet, thanks to the dried cranberries, and fairly easy to make. They do require some chilling time in the fridge though, so take that into consideration before making them.


Next up we have Pumpkin Gingerbread. I made a few adjustments to the recipe and it turned out really well. The recipe calls for a 15 ounce can of pumpkin but here in Canada we have 14 ounce cans or 28 ounce cans. I used one 14 ounce can because I didn't want to end up with extra pumpkin. I didn't have allspice so I cut it out and replaced it with 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. And because I am ridiculous, I added a bag of mini-chocolate chips. I used 4 small loaf tins instead of the 9x5 inch pans the recipe calls for. I baked them at 325 instead of 350 for about 40 minutes. This recipe, with my adjustments, is a definite keeper.


I made meringues because they seem so fancy and luxurious to me but they're very easy to make. I added the zest of one lemon to the mixture when I was finished whipping the egg whites with the sugar.


My mom has an awesome gingersnap recipe; I'll post it if anyone is interested.

Mom's Gingersnaps

When I lived in England, I had a hard time baking because the measurements are different. I made this cookie recipe up and have not yet been successful in replicating it in Canada (Lou, I'd completely forgotten about these until you reminded me!) They're still very tasty though; again, I will post the recipe if anyone is interested.


All my Christmas baking (minus the first batch of shortbread which we inhaled):

We packaged it all up:



and Shawn and I delivered the treat bags to our friends and family so that we couldn't continue to gorge ourselves on the yummy Christmas treats.

25 comments:

  1. Wow! I am so impressed! That's a LOT of baking. I would love to see the gingersnap recipe. They all look delicious!

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  2. PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD?!

    COULD there be a better combination?!

    I almost died from hunger looking at that.

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  3. Mmmmm I love cookies.....
    Those look fantastic!

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  4. Um, I didn't read what you wrote, just salivated over the pictures.

    I'll try my best to read the text. But I'm not holding my breath.

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  5. Now I want to crack open the jar of whipped shortbread.

    *Must. Be. Strong.*

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  6. Hey Baby, how's it going.

    Your christmas cookies are cuter than you are:)

    Send me a few dozen.

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  7. OH MY HOLY BEANS ON TOAST, i need those cookies. screw shawn, i think you should have married ME :-)

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  8. What lucky friends you have!

    We're baking this weekend. My recipes aren't particularly "Christmassy"... but they are my favorite cookies, so I'm not very concerned about it.

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  9. i turned round from my desk to see whats my husband was giggling at - on his computer screen i see loads of cookies - and i know in an instant that they are yours!!!!

    mail me some over NOWWWWWWW

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  10. I am impressed beyond words. And fighting back the urge to lick my computer screen.

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  11. you put my baking to shame.

    also, i'd like one of each please.

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  12. That, my friend, is impressive. And I thought my baking was excessive!

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  13. Well, I'm not reading this post until Friday, so it matters not to me when it originally posted. =)

    Those cookies? Look amazing. You're making my mouth water. Jerk. hahaha.

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  14. I made similar adjustments to my pumpkin bread and it worked out as well! Looks yummy!

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  15. what a great gift idea! if only i was such a skilled baker..... maybe next year :)

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  16. You rock for that baking marathon! They all look delicious, especially the pumpkin loaves.

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  17. WOW. That was very mouth-watering. Made me craving at the moment. Merry Christmas to you and your family! :D

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  18. hmm...i didn't get one of these treat bags. did you lose my address?

    ;P

    i'd love to have the gingersnaps recipe. did you try the lemon bars yet?

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  19. p.s. i'm going to make that whipped shortbread right now. you suck.

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  20. that is a ton of baking! holy cow!

    back in the country now.

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  21. How do I get some of that pumpkin gingerbread?

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  22. I want to dive face-first into all those divine-looking desserts! Well done!

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