“When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your own taste.” ~Laiko Bahrs
I following this saying – religiously; because (as some of you already know) although I can cook quite okay but I am a pathetic baker! While my mom (the BEST cook ever, seriously) baked the most amazing cakes (and for everyone’s birthday, all cousins friend’s kids etc.) me on the contrary, fail, if I am even short of one ingredient. Baking does not come natural to me. So, I had never ventured into the area of cookies etc. But in an effort to keep Gauri busy and to fulfill her random demand of very specific shape and color cookies, I have tried several recipes in the past. And after several failed attempts, I can say that I have finally been able to bake some really decent cookies lately.
Several months ago we baked some Vegan chocolate chip cookies – vegan because Neel is allergic to dairy (just like Gauri was when she was less than an year old; I really do hope he also grows out of this pretty soon) and so I am on no-dairy-no-soy diet too. The cookies came out pretty good and my big air-tight container was empty by the end of second evening. Both Gauri and her baba gobbled them quick (Gauri actually eating something with that much likeness - Best compliment ever).
Recently we tried these “Pink” heart shortbread cookies (yes these days everything has to be pink or princess) and they were fantastic too. Not only did Gauri had much fun making then (Kneading the dough, using the cookie cutter and frosting them) but she and baba once again enjoyed them much. Neel and I just watched since they had butter this time (I’ll bake you some vegan cookies again Neel!). If anyone’s interested here is the simple recipe for shortbread (the key is to follow the recipe)
Note: I found that for delicate tasting shortbread with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, replace 1/2 cup flour with cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon (2 grams) salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1/2 cup (60 grams) confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In the bowl cream the butter and sugar until smooth.
Add vanilla extract and then stir in the flour mixture.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, and chill for an hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F with the rack in the middle of the oven.
Cut the dough into whatever shapes you wish.
Place the cookies on the baking sheet and place in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
Bake for 8 - 10 minutes.
Happy Baking everyone!!
6 comments:
Same here, I can't bake and I burn my hand each time I try to take something out of the oven :)
The cookies look delicious!!
yummy! i'm the opposite, i can usually bake something yummy, but cooking (dinner especially) i stink. thanks for sharing your recipe, maybe try this site under recipes for vegan cookie recipes. this shop is down in new haven.
http://www.clairescornercopia.com/
Sara, have you tried the Silicon oven mittens- they resists heat up to 500 degrees F and are safe under boiling water and hot oil. Seriously, oven burns can be very nasty. And you are an amazing cook - I had the BEST Palak Paneer and most scrumptious Chaat at your place last year!! Uhmmmm Yum Yum!!
Pam, thanks for this link I will definitely try something out from here and I dont know about dinner but whatever I have had at various parties at your place has always been Excellent and your presentation is always top notch!
MMMmmm....dear mommy the cookies look so tempting and yummmyy..!!
Dear bhabhi i need not tell you that what a perfect and great cook you are...but dil hai ki maanta nahin. so here it goes, bhabhi you are a great cook. :0)
but the point is that out of such a schedule you manage to do smthing special for bhaiya and kidos.
i'll also try this recipe.
love u
Tanu.
Thanks Tanu for your kind words - I think Gauri and I (and Neel too)are always looking for something "non-schedule" to do to keep our days interesting :). Enjoy baking!
Hi Pragati, Cookies looks really delicious. Wow, nice try. Its very satisfying when kids eat them saying wow and yummy.
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