Cookie Gift Baskets Tip & Recipe Blog

For the cookies

• 1 1/2 cups (3sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract, beating well.
2. Sift the flour and baking powder and add to the creamed mixture, 1 cup at a time, until thoroughly combined.
3. Remove the dough to a lightly floured work surface and roll to 1/4-inch thickness .Using a cookie cutter or plastic bottle cap, cut out 1 1/2 inch circles. You can also use a cookie press to make the circles.
4. Place the cutouts on an ungreased baking sheet and bake 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.
5. Cool the cookies on the sheet for several minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the filling

• 1 large egg white
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cream soda
• Several drops red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1. Fill a medium saucepan three-quarter full with water and heat on burner set to high
2. In a large metal bowl, beat the egg white, sugar, cream soda, food coloring (enough to turn frosting desired pink color), and corn syrup with a handheld electric mixer until well combined.
3. When the saucepan of water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low. Set the metal bowl over the simmering water and beat with an electric mixer on high speed 5-7 minutes, until stiff, glossy peaks form. (Humid weather may necessitate additional beating time.)
4. Add the vanilla and lemon juice and continue beating 6-10 minutes, until frosting is cooled and very thick. Frosting can be made 4 hours ahead of time and chilled, covered.
5. To assemble the cookies: Spoon 1 teaspoon of the filling on the cookie, cover with another cookie and press down to make a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies and filling.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 10th, 2008 at 9:23 pm and is filed under Cookies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.