Week 2 - Hazelnut Meringues

Ok, so my confession is I substituted this weeks cookies recipe. It was supposed to be these almond cookies - but I kinda hate almond cookies. Or at least I really dislike almond extract. So I decided to make meringues instead (partially due to the fact that I did not have any butter). Anyways, they are delicious! Enjoy!

3/4 cup superfine sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
4 large egg whites at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup hazelnuts - toasted, skinned and crushed

Beat egg whites and vanilla until frothy. Beat on high speed and slowly add the flour mixture. Beat until stiff, glossy peaks form (4 min). Fold in 3/4 cup hazelnuts.

Drop teaspoon sized drops on a baking sheet and top with remaining nuts.

Bake at 275 degree (F) for 30 min - let cool in the oven (temp off, door slightly ajar) for another 20-30 min. Let cool on a tray for another hour.

Snickerdoodles (best cookie name ever)

Best cookie name ever = really good melt in your mouth cinnamon-toast inspired cookies! These are delicious!

Cinnamon-sugar mix - 2 tbsp sugar + 2 tsp cinnamon

3/4 cup sugar
1 1/3 cup flour
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla

Beat butter, sugar egg and vanilla. Add flour mix. Roll dough into teaspoon sized balls. Roll the dough ball in the cinnamon-sugar mix until coated. Bake 9 min at 400F degree.

Week 1 - Chocolate-Praline Cookies

It was my birthday a couple of weeks ago and two of my good friends Angie and Elle gave me a box of cookies recipes. The box contained 52 cookie recipes to be exact - enough for a new cookie recipe every week. So this has become my new goal. This week I made recipe #1 - chocolate praline cookies. They are pretty good, not my favorite but they look quite nice. Enjoy!

1/2 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

1.5 cup flour

1 cup toasted pecans

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tsp vegetable shortening

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

I mixed the butter, sugar, egg, vanilla and baking powder together until blended. I added the flour and then the toasted nuts. I formed 2 inch round balls and baked for exactly 9 minutes.

Once the cookies were cool I melted the chocolate and shortening together in a saucepan and then drizzled the chocolate over the cookies.

Thanks for the pressie Aussies - I love it!