My empty nest world of scratch baking and chicken scratch
Sables are a French cookie with a delicate, sandy texture. Their American counterpart would be something similar to Sandies. This cookie uses both unsweetened cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate which yields a very intense, complex chocolate taste. The sandy texture comes from a dry mixture that you bring together to form into desired shapes; the … Read more
Traditional, buttery French cookies that are named for their sandy texture (sable means sand). Every bakery in France makes them. There are two ways to make these cookies. You can roll them and cut out with your desired shaped cookie cutter, or you can form the dough into two logs (my preferred method), freeze, slice, … Read more
A very delicate, soft, buttery cookie with cream cheese mixed into the batter for a distinct flavor. This cookie is very easy to make. Change the look and taste by simply changing the jam flavor. Strawberry Cream Cookies Recipe Type: Easy Cuisine: American Author: Cindy Liles Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 12 mins … Read more
I am a cherry fanatic! I could go off on a major rant about all the things cherry that I love, but I’ll spare you that rant! Let’s just say, if there are cherries involved, I’m all in! I make this Chocolate Cherry Cookie once a year at Christmas time, and it’s my favorite Chrismas … Read more
I wish I knew how many different Banana Bread recipes I’ve tried over the years! A lot! I have always gone back to my original recipe that I started making in 1977 and have shared a million times with friends and family. I have never found a recipe that I liked as much as mine … Read more
I love growing fresh basil for use all summer long. As Fall approaches, it’s time to harvest the remaining basil and make pesto for the freezer. Pesto is very easy to make and can be used in a variety of ways – serve it over pasta, as a sandwich spread, on pizza, on chicken, or … Read more
Called Palet for their round shape, these are buttery, delicate French cookies that have been topped with raisins plumped in rum. You can replace with rum with water if you prefer a non-alcoholic cookie. The finished cookie is delicate, crumbly, only slightly sweet with a crisp edge. Begin by placing 1/3 cup raisins in a … Read more
A small French cake, similar to a Madeleine that is baked in a small rectangular mold. Financiers are sweet, tender and moist, and have a distinctive almond flavor. The basis of the cake is beurre noisette (brown butter), egg whites, sugar, flour, and flavoring. The browned butter imparts a lovely nutty flavor and crispy edge. … Read more
I have favorite cookies to make and favorite cookies to eat. This cookie definitely falls into the favorite cookies to eat category! This recipe differs from others in that it allows the taste of the two star ingredients – oatmeal and raisins – to shine. Everything else is just a subtle accompaniment. One thing that … Read more
Old-fashioned Banana Nut Bread – measure a few ingredients into one bowl, mix and bake- it is that easy! I always make extra loaves and wrap them in plastic wrap to either enjoy later or give as a gift. You can thaw the entire loaf or just individual slices as desired. I like to eat … Read more