This post is sponsored by June Oven. All opinions are my own. I never grew up with a toaster oven or convection oven of any kind (my grandma had a toaster oven that always impressed me, but I rarely used it myself), and never had the means or the counter space to invest in one most of my adult life. Now that I have a little more room…
Each year at Christmas I like to put together a cookie box for family, friends, and neighbors. The content changes somewhat over the years; some cookies come and go, others are staples that stick around. I’ve put together a list of favorite holiday cookies that I’ve featured here on my site. Many of these recipes come from both my cookbooks: 100 Cookies and The Vanilla Bean Baking Book. …
I will never say no to a simple sugar cookie, but adding brown sugar makes for an interesting twist on the class white version. A teaspoon of molasses increases the dark brown sugar flavor without making it taste like holiday fare (but, to be sure, these are a great addition to your holiday cookie tray). A few tips for success: Don’t skip the egg yolk! It helps make…
My mom will often turn down the sweet, gooey confections that I prefer, but she can never say no to a thin, crispy cookie. I created these unique olive oil sugar cookies with her in mind. The olive oil pairs well with the pistachios and lemon in this recipe. The olive oil flavor here is subtle, but there is still a trace of fruitiness and spice, and the…
This crisp, buttery cookie is easy to make, and goes with everything. Dunked in coffee, coated in confectioners’ sugar glaze, or standing alone, shortbread is downright delicious. I found a slight drizzle of chocolate just might make this cookie absolutely perfect, and I took pleasure in treating the pan of cookies like an abstract painting. Shortbread with Chocolate From The Vanilla Bean Baking Book PRINT RECIPE Notes: I…
This Thanksgiving was unusual, to be sure. Our family made the decision to spend it with just our immediate household, and while my two kids understand the necessity of social distancing, it still brought a lot of heartache. We made a short house call to our family: dropping off pies on doorstops: pumpkin, chocolate mousse, and apple. “I have always loved a window, especially an open one,” Wendell…
