Cookies, Desserts

Alfajores

Makes about 2 dozen cookies This sandwich cookie is comprised of buttery cookies on the outside and rich, creamy dulce de leche in the center. Ingredients 10 oz (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter 1 1/3 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 3 cups all-purpose […]

Cookies, Desserts

Checkerboard Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen cookies To make sharper-looking cookies, reserve a portion of vanilla or chocolate dough, roll it to about 1/8 inch thick, brush lightly with water, and wrap around the checkerboard block. Refrigerate, slice, and bake. Ingredients Vanilla Dough 1/2 lb (2 sticks) unsalted butter 1 cup confectioners’ […]

Cookies

Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Makes 45 cookies Make these cookies super-size to take on picnics or serve at kids parties, or miniaturize them to include as part of a cookie plate to serve at a tea or reception. Ingredients 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 1/2 […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Chorizo-Stuffed Mushrooms

Makes 8 servings To make a savory filling for stuffed mushrooms, sausage and ham are added to the chopped stems, along with onions and garlic. The mushrooms are then topped with breadcrumbs or a combination of grated cheese and crumbs. For even cooking, quickly sauté the mushroom caps in olive […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Our Christmas Cookie Must-Haves

A person’s Christmas cookie plate is very personal, but we believe the perfect plate of holiday cookies contains representatives from all of the major cookie groups: chocolate, fruity, nutty, shortbread, and spice. These categories are broad with plenty of room for interpretation, but if you hit each one, you’re sure […]

Cookies

Pignoli Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen cookies Pignolis, also called pine nuts, make a delicious, toasty-tasting cookie. Ingredients 2 1/4 cups sugar 2 cups almond paste 1/2 teaspoon almond extract Pinch kosher salt 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup egg whites 1 cup pine nuts, or more as needed Directions Preheat […]

Cookies

Tahini Kiss Cookies

Makes about 32 cookies These tahini cookies are inspired by the classic peanut butter kiss cookie, with the slightly more savory (and nut-free!) flavor of tahini. We used semi-sweet chocolate to offset the sweetness in the cookies, but you can use whatever chocolate you like best. Ingredients 1 cup tahini […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Using Meringue Powder for Royal Icing

Royal icing is a decorative icing made from egg whites and confectioners’ sugar. In professional bakeshops, it is used to decorate cakes, pastries, and candies, but at home, it is primarily used to decorate rolled out sugar or gingerbread cookies. We explain how to make and use traditional royal icing […]