Long-time followers of this here Cup of Sugar :: Pinch of Salt page will know that even though I find Valentine’s Day silly, I always manage to make a few varieties of Valentine’s Day Cookies. This year is no different so I present his year’s four varieties: Red Currant Lemon Linzer Cookies, Valentine’s Day Shortbread Blossoms, Baci di Dama (Lady’s Kisses) and Double Chocolate M&M Cookies. Recipes follow after the jump:
I was skeptical of these cookies. I’ve never thought to even make banana-styled cookies before and none of the recipes that I had found in my cookbooks (very few) or online (lots, but many a little questionable) really inspired me. But then I found these…. Browned butter, oatmeal, bananas. Might even be a little healthy if it weren’t for the two sticks of butter! And they do not disappoint. The flat spells like banana bread on overdrive and they turned out great. Fluffy, moist, not overly sweet although there is a fair amount of sugar. Makes about 75 cookies, so you can halve the recipe if you need less of them.
One of the things when you are making macaroons, is that you have to find a careful balance of egg whites to coconut: wet to dry, as it were. Most recipes under estimate the coconut requirement. I, on the other hand, have a tendency to try to stuff as much coconut as humanly possible while still hoping that the whole thing manages to stay held together. This is a “new and improved” recipe of one of my standbys and I think that they came out just perfect this time.
Every wonder why we put coins in “Piggy Banks” for savings? Historically, there was the notion of “Prosperity Pigs”, that the pig symbolized wealth, prosperity and luck, and putting a little something away for savings can never hurt. In Germany, the pig still has a place for luck (“Glücksschwein” — Lucky Pig) and often around New Year’s you see little marzipan pigs adorning sweets. Along that theme, I made some very vanilla-y Piggy “Lucky” Cookies, to help ring in the new year 2024.
The other day, over on the Stonewall Kitchen website, I found Gingerbread Butter. Seemed interesting and you know me, a new ingredient to try. So I made one of my staples — shortbread / crumble bars. These are flavorful, taste “Christmasy” and have a nice “goes with a good cup of coffee feeling.