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Knock, Knock. Who’s There?
Date: Nov. 3rd 2009
Category: Cookbooks, Cookies and Bars
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It’s all the cookies you’ll be baking.
Don’t look now but it’s already November and if you think that the holiday season is still far off, you’re wrong.
Very soon cookie recipes from all over the world will be knocking on your door, begging you to bake them.
Don’t fight it. Embrace the cookies.
Let’s say that together.
EMBRACE THE COOKIES!
If I may be so bold as to get the ball of cookie dough rolling, you may want to consider Julia Usher’s Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year
Take it from a cookbook addict, this is an incredible baking book. Don’t be intimidated by the idea of cookie-baking projects. While there are recipes for both elaborately decorated cookies and simpler treats, the book’s greatest strength is to approach each recipe in a clear, organized way so that even the beginning baker can master these cookies.
Oh, and the cookies! They are so sweet … literally and figuratively. Every major holiday is covered so it’s a book that will guide you throughout the year, not just Christmas.
I’ve had this book for awhile and if I had the time, I would have tried many of the recipes but I wanted to tell you about it in advance of the holidays so you can run out and get a copy or put it on your wish list for Santa.
I have a real soft spot for crescent cookies of any type. The book features a recipe for a crescent cookie called Sugar Between the Sheets. For more than ten years I’ve had a go-to crescent cookie recipe that I make every Christmas: my Apricot Walnut Crescents. I make them every year, often by request. But after making the crescent cookies from Usher’s book I must say they’re going to give my Apricot Walnut Crescents a run for their money.
Made with sour cream, a rich and tender pastry holds a filling of walnuts and sugar that almost caramelizes as it bakes. So. Sweet!!!
As I mentioned above, I could have easily tried every recipe in the book if I’d had the time. Rest assured, though, I’ve bookmarked several other recipes for the holidays.
While I’m getting myself organized and planning ahead, you should be too. If you’re big on cookies for Christmas or any other holiday, you’ll love this book!
Ciao!
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11/3/09 at 2:19 am
Those look divine!
Cheers,
Rosa
11/3/09 at 6:43 am
You’re right about holidays being right around the corner. I’ve found a great way to save recipes like this that look good that I’ve found online is to save them in Evernote so I don’t forget about them. I look at so many blogs and websites with great looking recipes and sometimes I loose track. This one is going in my desserts folder on Evernote! It’s like my own personal recipe box. Just a tip!
11/3/09 at 6:45 am
AMEN to embracing the cookies
11/3/09 at 6:48 am
Mmm, they do look good. And I love dough made with sour cream.
11/3/09 at 8:20 am
Woohoo!! I’m embracing the cookies!!! I never made a batter with sour cream. Definitely gonna try this!! Ciao!!
11/3/09 at 8:27 am
Olá!
Amo este site!!!
Por gentileza, quero a receita deste cookie da foto…ou melhor ainda, como consigo este livro??? rsrrs
Obrigada por ter este lindo site.. parabéns !!!
Abraços
Rosana/Brasilia/Brasil
11/3/09 at 1:14 pm
When I first saw them, I thought they were rugelach. I’m glad they’re not because now I have yet another pastry cookie with a pleasing shape (I love crescents, too).
11/3/09 at 2:52 pm
I’d like to embrace these cookies. They sound fabulous!
11/3/09 at 3:17 pm
Sadly, the book appears to be out of print - there are six copies available used from Amazon.com, none of which are less than $60 USD.
11/3/09 at 10:43 pm
those look fantastic! I am also a cookbook addict- I will have to pick up a copy of this book!
11/4/09 at 11:15 am
Hi, Ivonne. Thanks so much for the lovely post about my book! Much appreciated!
Tracy: The book is not out of print - just so wildly successful that we’ve had a hard time printing it fast enough, so Amazon is stocked out. We’re between 4th and 5th print runs and the book was only first released in August! We expect a shipment in a week or so. In the meantime, the book is available through Borders, Barnes & Noble and Michael’s craft stores, so you may want to check these spots first! It retails for $19.99 USD, so I have no idea why it’s showing as $60 on Amazon, but will check into that. Thanks for the kind words and I hope you enjoy the book!
11/4/09 at 5:21 pm
Do these freeze well? They look great.
11/6/09 at 12:12 pm
Hi, Brenda!
I am a real proponent of baking-to-eat so everything is at the height of fresh-baked goodness. But, these cookies do, in fact, freeze well. Assemble (but do not brush with egg wash or bake); then freeze in an airtight container. They should freeze well for a month or so. When ready to bake, put frozen cookies on prepared cookie sheet, thaw at room temp, brush with egg wash, and then bake as directed. Hope this helps with your cookie baking-planning!
11/7/09 at 8:00 am
where’s the recipe to those scrumptious looking puffs!
11/10/09 at 8:31 pm
Yumm! They look just like butterhorns, a type of cookie my mom and I bake every year at Christmas, also made with sour cream. Hmmm, I’m going to have to make a batch soon I think!