Tag Archives: baking

Travel/Food

Jam thumbprint cookie review

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By: Norah Hoglund and Max Cahoon

Image created with Instagram AI

Overview

Jam thumbprint cookies are a classic Christmas or holiday cookie for this time of year. They not only look cute but they also taste really good. We tried out a recipe for them and are going to share our thoughts on it.

Link to the recipe:

https://www.loveandlemons.com/thumbprint-cookies/#wprm-recipe-container-53346

Review

Taste

These cookies had two components: the cookie and the jam. The cookie was like a shortbread cookie, and it was sweet and crumbly. They were also very buttery and they were quite a good cookie. If they didn’t have the jam in the center they would have been a bit boring, so good thing there was jam in the middle. It added a different tart flavor to the cookies as well as a fruity flavor and a different texture. The cookies would have been a bit dry without the jam but it made their texture perfect. We rate the taste an 8/10.

Baking process

The process of making these cookies was fairly easy. The cookie part was pretty straightforward to make and wasn’t really any more difficult than any other cookie. The hardest part was putting the jam in the middle of them, because it was sort of hard to be precise with a spoon and to not spill over the edge of the indent that was made in the cookies for the jam.

Another thing about the recipe is that it says to wait until the bottoms are lightly browned, so we put it in for 12 minutes but the bottom edge didn’t look brown at all, so we put it in for a little bit longer which made the cookies a little more dry. Other than that, these cookies were pretty simple to make. We rate the baking process a 7/10.

Overall

Overall, this recipe is pretty simple and straightforward and yields good results. The taste and texture is good and the blend of flavors is pleasant. The one thing that we would change is the instruction about looking for brownness, because you can’t see if the bottoms would be brown.

Overall, we rate this recipe a 7.5/10. We would recommend this recipe to anyone who enjoys baking, cookies, and especially the sweet jam.

RECIPE

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the two flours and salt.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter, sugar, vanilla, and almond extract until fluffy. Gradually add the flour and mix until completely combined.
  4. Scoop rounded tablespoons of the dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets. Gently press down to form discs and use your thumb, or the back of a 1 teaspoon measuring spoon, to make an indentation in the middle of the cookies. Use a spoon to spoon ½ teaspoon of jam onto each cookie.
  5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly browned. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely
  6. Then enjoy.
Travel/Food

Christmas cookies

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By: Sophie Elmstrom & Lily Sheldon

Photo by Jonathan Meyer on Pexels.com

The holidays have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean that all of the recipes that come with it do!

During the holiday season there are so many treats to make, with Christmas cookies being a staple recipe. There are so many different cookie recipes for the holiday season. We wanted to share a few of our favorite cookie recipes to make.

Sugar Cookies:

Sugar cookies are a classic, and are a very common cookie, not just made for Christmas, although once you add the red and green sprinkles it will add Christmas cheer! This is a very simple recipe, so it’s easy and quick to make. It’s sure to be a staple cookie to add to your holiday baking. These cookies have cream cheese in them, and that adds a richer flavor to them.

You can find the directions here: https://www.nourish-and-fete.com/sprinkle-sugar-cookies/

Hershey’s Peanut Butter Blossoms:

These cookies have a delicious peanut butter cookie base topped with a Hershey’s Kiss that is perfectly melted on top. These are a fan favorite, and they don’t take long to make either. With a simple list of ingredients, and a short baking time of 8-10 minutes, these cookies have the perfect texture with a slightly crispy outside and warm chewy inside, and the kiss on top adds the perfect flavor and richness to the cookie base.

Here is a simple recipe: https://www.hersheyland.com/recipes/peanut-butter-blossoms.html

Christmas Bark:

Christmas bark or “ Christmas crack” is a saltine layered base with chocolate and toffee pieces on top. This is a very versatile cookie, with the option to add any combination of chocolate and toppings to the saltine layer base. Here we have a version with milk chocolate and toffee pieces, which is our personal favorite combination. Other ideas you could make are white chocolate with peppermint, or milk/dark chocolate with various toppings such as M&M’s, pretzels, etc. This is a crunchy treat that is so delicious and a fun bake for the holidays!

Here is a recipe: https://therecipecritic.com/christmas-crack-recipe/

Sandwich Cookies:

These sandwich cookies are flaky and buttery, they crumble in your mouth. This recipe is very complicated and takes a while to make because you have to refrigerate the dough for the cookies before you roll them out and cut them. Even though these take time to make, they are so worth it and don’t have to be made in just the holiday season, you can make the frosting different colors for different events and enjoy them all year long! Make sure to bring these to a cookie competition, it will be a sure win for you.

Here is the recipe: https://inspiredbycharm.com/cream-wafer-tree-cookies/#Ingredients

Wreath Cookies:

The wreath cookies are an easy to make recipe without using an oven. All you have to do is melt marshmallows and combine them with rice crispy cereal, shape them into a wreath and add some green food coloring and you’re done! These cookies are very good and chewy and once you show them to people they will be begging for more. We’re sure you could make these into different shapes for different holidays and events.

Here is a simple recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/10070/christmas-cornflake-wreath-cookies/

Travel/Food

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies review

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By: Norah Hoglund and Max Cahoon

While chocolate chip cookies are very delicious, what is even better is peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. We tried this recipe out because right now is the perfect time to make cookies and share them with your friends and family. Just make sure no one is allergic to peanut butter!

Review

Taste

These cookies had such a good taste; we would say they were probably some of the best cookies we have ever made. The peanut butter makes them really really good because the saltiness of the peanut butter contrasts the sweetness of the cookie and it is a really great flavor, especially if you love peanut butter. A lot of people know that chocolate and peanut butter go really well together, and that fact does not change in this instance.

All of the ingredients in this cookie just go very well together and make for a great cookie. It is also not too sweet, due to the peanut butter. When they came warm fresh out of the oven, they were the best. We had them with milk and we agreed that they were some of the best cookies ever.

The only downside is that once you taste them when they are warm it’s a little underwhelming when you eat them at room temperature, but you can always warm them up.

Our rating: 9.9/10

Ease of making

These cookies were a bit of a challenge to make. We decided to brown the butter (see how in the recipe notes), even though the recipe doesn’t call for it, because it makes for a richer cookie. The recipe said to melt the butter anyway, so we browned it in a pot and added the peanut butter to the butter.

Once we had mixed together all the wet ingredients and dry ingredients, we mixed the two together. The dough then was very thick and we had to mix it with our hands because a whisk or spatula couldn’t mix it.

We filled up two trays with all of our dough and decided to put both trays in the oven at the same time, to save time baking them. The only thing we had to change was to bake them for 2-3 extra minutes.

The rest of the instructions were fairly easy and these cookies were definitely worth the effort we put into them. It was also a really fun experience making these, especially if you love baking. Our rating: 8/10

Overall

Overall, these cookies were so delicious and fairly easy to make for a high-quality cookie recipe. These cookies were very good and absolutely worth all of the effort we put into them. It was a fun experience. We rate this recipe a 9/10 and you should absolutely try it.

Here is the link to the recipe: https://handletheheat.com/peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Recipe

Ingredients

  • ▢ 2 1/2 cups (318 grams) bleached all-purpose flour, measured correctly
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ▢ 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter
  • ▢ 3/4 cup (202 grams) creamy peanut butter
  • ▢ 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • ▢ 1 cup (200 grams) packed dark brown sugar
  • ▢ 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
  • ▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • ▢ 2 cups (340 grams) semi sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  1. In a large heat-safe bowl, microwave the butter until melted. Vigorously stir the peanut butter into the hot butter until well combined. Stir in the granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined. Add the eggs and yolk, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add in the vanilla. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
  1. Dough may be loose and slightly crumbly. It will not appear like normal chocolate chip cookie dough. If it’s unbearably crumbly, that’s likely due to discrepancies among brands of peanut butter and if you used unbleached flour. Add 2 tablespoons milk if that’s the case.
  1. OPTIONAL: If time permits, cover the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 24 hours but no more than 72 hours. Let the dough sit at room temperature just until it is soft enough to scoop.
  1. Divide the dough into 3-tablespoon sized balls using a large spring-loaded cookie scoop and drop onto prepared baking sheets. Flatten dough slightly into disc shapes with your palms. Dot each disc with a few extra chocolate chips for picture-perfect cookies.
  1. Bake for 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
  1. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

NOTE: to brown butter, cook it in a pan on medium heat until it turns golden brown. This should be 5-7 minutes after it melts.

Travel/Food

Pumpkin bread recipe review

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By: Norah Hoglund and Max Cahoon

Pumpkin bread is a great option for breakfast; it isn’t too hard to make and lasts throughout the week. This recipe is healthy and delicious. We tried out this recipe because we both love to bake things, we both love bread, and to see if it’s good enough to recommend to anyone. This recipe is from my mom, and we already know it tastes good because she makes it a lot.

Review

Taste

This bread has really good and savory flavors; you can taste the fresh pumpkin flavor and the hint of cinnamon in it from the first bite. The chocolate chips add a great texture, color, and taste to the bread allowing people who want it as a treat to enjoy it too.

The texture of the bread itself is crispy and flakey on the top but once you bite inside you feel the softness of the bread and the melted chocolate chips slice through your teeth like butter.

We know a lot of people that don’t enjoy the flavor of pumpkin but this recipe has a great pumpkin flavor mixed with all of its other ingredients which makes it even more delicious.

Also, for anyone worried about how unhealthy it may be and the calories, this recipe has 1 scoop of protein powder making it gym rat friendly and can help maximize your gains in the gym.

From the sweet but salty flavor and the crispy but soft texture, we rate this recipe a 9/10. Easily one of the best loafs of bread we have ever tried and highly recommend it to anyone that loves a sweet and salty treat or breakfast item.

Baking

This recipe is very forgiving and easy to make. It doesn’t matter what order you put the ingredients in, so you don’t have to worry about it. It takes less than 10 minutes to mix up, and you just have to let it bake for an hour. It is a very quick and easy recipe for the wintertime to have as a snack or breakfast or to have it anytime you want.

Some tips for this recipe would be if you like your bread soft all around we would recommend 55 minutes inside the oven, if you like a perfect in between we’d recommend 1 hour and 5 minutes, and if you like it very crispy we’d recommend 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Overall

This recipe is overall very very tasty and a really good recipe for pumpkin bread. It is easy to make and has healthy ingredients, especially as compared to some other recipes with a lot of sugar. We rate this recipe a 10/10.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 stick butter, soft
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 C coconut sugar
  • 1/2 C almond flour
  • 1 + 3/4 C flour
  • 1 t baking soda
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1 scoop protein powder (we use Equip, unflavored)
  • 1-2 t pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
  • 1/2 C chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins

Instructions

Blend all ingredients together, in any order. Stir in chocolate chips, nuts, and/or raisins. (We decided to use just chocolate chips; it’s completely up to you!)

Pour into a parchment-lined large loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 1 hour (see notes above about other baking times).

Test with a toothpick – may need 5 more minutes. Let cool and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe also makes an EXCELLENT banana bread – just omit the pumpkin and add 3 soft, overripe bananas. We use 1 tsp vanilla instead of the pie spice, but many people like to keep the spice in – totally up to you!

Travel/Food

Top 5 Christmas desserts

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By: Isabel Strack

Image created with Pixabay:https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ai-generated-christmas-8400419/

There are many dessert options for Christmas, but these are the most popular ones and here’s why.

Peppermint bark

Peppermint bark is a very popular Christmas dessert, and here is why. Many people like peppermint bark because it is very easy to make and tastes delicious.

You can bring it to family gatherings or even just to have in your house when you’re wanting something sweet.

To make it, all you need to do is melt a white chocolate bar, cut up some candy canes, and then you just chill it and it’s ready to eat. Peppermint bark is a big crowd pleaser and you will get many compliments on your baking skills.

Here is a link to a recipe for Peppermint bark: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a41534277/peppermint-bark-recipe/

Gingerbread cookies

Gingerbread cookies are also another big Christmas treat, and here is why. Many people enjoy these types of cookies because they just look and taste like Christmas.

These gingerbread cookies have been a popular dessert for awhile now, so many people will assume someone will bring it to a gathering.

These cookies started when Russian bakers would make these cookies as a replica for the people attending the party that day or evening.

These cookies will be very easy to bake as long as you have a cookie cutter.

Here is a link to a recipe for Gingerbread cookies: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/best-gingerbread-cookies/

Frosted sugar cookies

These cookies are very fun and easy to make. You can make these cookies into fun shapes, and cool designs that you can frost on.

Many people already have their own recipe for these cookies, and enjoy baking them with their family for the holidays.

These cookies are pretty easy to make and are a fan favorite.

Here is a link to a recipe for Frosted sugar cookies: https://sugarspunrun.com/easy-sugar-cookie-recipe/#recipe

Mint brownies

These brownies aren’t as popular as the desserts I talked about before, but still taste delicious and everyone will enjoy them. They are a little bit more hard to make than the others but are still pretty easy to make, and will be worth it in the end.

Many people don’t know about this dessert, but once you bring it to a gathering people will be telling you how delicious they are and asking what the recipe is.

Here is a link to a recipe for Mint brownies: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/classic-mint-chocolate-brownies/#tasty-recipes-74358

Caramelized pecans

This also isn’t as popular as the other desserts, but it is one of the easiest and best tasting desserts you can make.

If you aren’t a very good baker or just don’t enjoy baking that much these pecans are the way to go.

Although it is very easy to make, it is still very good and will make your whole house smell like Christmas.

Here is a link to a recipe for Caramelized pecans: https://stripedspatula.com/stovetop-caramelized-pecans/#wprm-recipe-container-11234

Travel/Food

Double chocolate cookies

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By: Norah Hoglund & Max Cahoon

Image created with Ai Generator

Are you looking for a delicious treat to bake? Check out this recipe for double chocolate chip cookies:

https://www.ihearteating.com/easy-chocolate-chocolate-chip-cookies/. These cookies are soft, chewy, and extremely chocolatey. But this recipe is not only delicious, it’s extremely easy to make. It only takes about 23 minutes to make!

You could make this for a family gathering, friend hangout, or just for a little treat for yourself when you’re feeling snacky. So next time you are craving a sweet treat, check out this recipe and enjoy!

Review:

Taste

Starting off with the taste of the cookies, the first thing to note is that they were very rich. They are basically like a brownie in cookie form. When they bake, they puff up and the top becomes crispy like a brownie. They were just the right amount of sweetness, and the chocolate chips added a change in texture that was very good. The melted chocolate chips in the middle was like a gooey mess but the crispy top added so much good texture that made every bite delicious.

Ease of baking

These cookies were relatively easy and quick to make compared to cookie recipes that have very specific and detailed instructions that can take longer. This recipe only took about 23 minutes, including baking time. It is a pretty standard recipe for cookies. One thing that was different was the recipe used melted butter instead of softened butter, which is sometimes more convenient because it’s hard to remember to leave butter out to soften. So, if you decide you are going to bake some cookies and don’t have much time, choose this recipe, it will save you loads of time!

What we would change

If we were to make this recipe of cookies again we would probably cook them for a little longer as we don’t like super super gooey cookies, but that’s just preference of course! If you like them to be a little bit extra crispy we would say bake them for 25 minutes instead of 23. Another thing we would change is adding ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt instead of ½ because these cookies were a little bit salty for our liking and if you like your cookies more sweet rather than salty you could do the same!

Overall rating

Our overall rating of these cookies would be a 9/10. The creator of this recipe did a great job with the measurements and the estimated times in the instructions are extremely helpful. We would 100% make these again and we also recommend that you try making them!

Recipe:

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  2. Microwave the butter in a large, microwave safe bowl for about 40 seconds. Butter should be about 90% melted.
  3. Whisk the butter until it is completely melted
  4. Add both the sugars; mix until well combined.
  5. Stir in vanilla and egg until incorporated.
  6. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  7. Mix dough until just combined. Dough should be soft and a little sticky but not overly sticky.
  8. Stir in chocolate chips.
  9. Scoop out 1.5 tablespoons of dough (medium cookie scoop) and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
  10. Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until cookies are set. They will be puffy and still look a little underbaked in the middle.