cookies and bars Archives - Page 3 of 6

2015/12/212018/01/03

Candy Cane Cookies

A Cookie for Christmas

“But I brought you a present. She laid the folded handkerchief in Faye’s lap. Open it carefully , she said.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Candy Cane Cookies are a personal favorite. I try to make them every year. There is something about tinting the dough a rosy holiday red and smashing candy canes that signals the season to bake cookies has begun. The Candy Cane Cookies are buttery, with a soft crunch and just enough peppermint topping to evoke a traditional candy cane. READ MORE . . .

2015/11/292018/01/03

Toasted Sesame Peanut Bars

A very good snack bar

“You’re burning that bacon. Charles turned quickly back to the stove. It’ll just be crisp, he said, I like it crisp. He shoved the bacon out on a plate and broke the eggs in the hot grease and they jumped and fluttered their edges to brown lace and made clucking sounds.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It’s that time of year when sweets and all manner of other highly caloric scrumptious foods appear. The temptation to over indulge is everywhere. I’ve got a little diversion. It will satisfy the craving for something a little sweet with enough protein to power through the afternoon energy slump. The sesame flavor is the star of this recipe with the added bonus of peanut and coconut. A huge explosion of flavor and texture in every bite. This is a snack bar for those who enjoy the subtle flavor and crunchy texture of sesame seeds. There is anticipation of a great home made snack when the aroma of toasting sesame seeds fills the kitchen. Then the mingle of warm honey, peanut butter, coconut and vanilla seal the deal. READ MORE . . .

2015/07/222018/01/03

Strawberry Clouds and Angel Wings

It would never be enough.

“No one who is young is ever going to be old.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

I’m chasing the sweet spot of cascading memories. Almost a year has passed since I lost my mother. I really do miss her. I haven’t written much about anything since her death. What can be said about loss that hasn’t already been said? This story and it’s recipes came together in bits and pieces, the roiling of memories all tangled with now. READ MORE . . .

2015/05/252018/01/03

Apricot Ricotta Oat Bars

Stone Fruit Season

“Adam fluttered like a bewildered bee confused by too many flowers.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

When stone fruit comes in season it’s easy to get carried away. I bought too many apricots. Just couldn’t help myself. There wasn’t enough fruit for a pie, but there was just enough for this recipe. I used a combination of very soft and sweet and just ripe tangy apricots. Any ripe summer fruit would be wonderful—blueberries, blackberries, peaches, strawberries. READ MORE . . .

2015/05/102018/01/03

Whole Wheat Sesame Tahini Cookies

A Great Cookie

“Every petal of blue lupin is edged with white, so that a field of lupins is more blue than you can imagine. And mixed with these were splashes of California poppies. These too are of a burning color—not orange, not gold, but if pure gold were liquid and could raise cream, that golden cream might be the color of the poppies. When their season was over the yellow mustard came up and grew to a great height.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It’s already May and the only thing I know for sure is that a great cookie will brighten any day. Reminiscent of the iconic sesame candy halva, these cookies are fabulous. The edges are crunchy with sesame goodness while the center of the cookie stays soft. It all began with this recipe for The (Prodigal) Sesame Seed Cookie that I made last Christmas. I ended up making two, double batches. My chocolate loving family gravitated to these buttery cookies, scooping up two or three at a time. I knew then that this new flavor combination was worthy of more exploration. The backbone of this recipe comes from Maida Heatter’s Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies. I took a different path and went sesame. READ MORE . . .