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November 30, 2018
Makes about 50-60 cut-out cookies Unleash your creativity with some easy, edible art. Rolled sugar cookies, iced and embellished, create plenty of visual appeal on the holiday cookie plate, or as gifts for friends. Cookie Directions: 2. Combine the flour and salt in a medium bowl; stir to mix evenly. Add, one-third at a time, to the butter-sugar mixture on low speed until thoroughly mixed. 3. Gather the dough into a rough ball, and divide in half. Flatten each half into an oval shape that’s about 1/2-inch thick. (The oval shape will help in the next step of rolling.) Wrap each oval well, and chill for an hour or up to 3 days. The dough may also be frozen at this stage for later use. 4. Remove a dough disk from the refrigerator and allow to soften slightly at room temperature until it rolls out easily to a 1/4-inch thickness using a pastry mat or piece of parchment paper as a rolling surface. Dust with flour as needed, but sparingly so. Re-chill the rolled out dough for 15-20 minutes. Chilling will help cut and retain the detailed shapes in the next step. Repeat with the second disk. 5. Cut out shapes from each chilled, rolled sheet of dough. Place the shapes, leaving space in between each cookie, on a baking sheet (lined with a silicone baking mat, or parchment paper, if desired), and chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before baking; this will minimize spreading in the initial baking phase and assist in retaining the detail of the shapes. 6. Combine scraps from the first cutting of both sheets and roll out again, chill, and cut additional shapes. Repeat until all the dough is prepared. (The less re-rolling of dough, the better it is for a tender cookie). 7. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the chilled, cut-out shapes for 12-14 minutes or until a light fingertip press in the center of the cookie springs back. (For smaller cookies, bake for less time.) Don’t allow more than a hint of browning to occur. 8. Allow the cookies to set by cooling on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack for completion of the cooling. Cooling on a rack allows the cookies to crisp and resist excess moisture retention that might make them soggy. 9. Once completely cooled, the cookie shapes may be stacked and stored in an airtight container until time to decorate. (See Icing Recipe below) |
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Sugar Cookie Icing Icing Directions: |
November 29, 2018
SPREAD THE GOOD CHEER WITH ARTFULLY ICED SUGAR COOKIES!
IN THIS ISSUE, we feature an easy-to-approach sugar cookie and icing recipe. Then, we get creative by decorating cookies with a variety of techniques and embellishments. These cookies are sure to delight your loved ones this holiday season.
For Holiday Baking |
OXO Cookie Sheet We keep four baking sheets busy during cookie season. Quality pans result in evenly baked cookies. |
OXO Cookie Press Festive cookie cutters. |
Norpro Parchment Paper Parchment paper is a baking essential. |
OXO Cooling Rack Cooling cookies is an important step. Several cooling racks are needed as cookies are baked and readied for decorating. |
Harold Silicone Half-Sheet Silicone baking mats are ideal for cookie baking. They create a non-stick surface every time. Reusable again and again.
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OXO Cookie Spatula The cookie spatula makes moving hot cookies to a wire rack easy. |
November 16, 2018
Makes 12 large bars or 20 smaller bars These bars are guaranteed to be a hit! Starting with classic pecan pie flavors, the addition of dark chocolate takes these bars to a new level. The nutty pecans, dark chocolate, and a final sprinkle of flake salt balance out the sweetness usually characteristic of a pecan pie. Easy to assemble, these bars are perfect for sharing during the holiday season. Crust Ingredients: Filling Ingredients: Directions: 2. Prepare the crust. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and sugar, and set aside. In a stand mixer, starting on low speed, beat together the butter, cocoa powder, salt, then add the sugar and flour mixture until well combined into a coarse crumb texture. Scrape the sides and base of the mixing bowl halfway through to ensure that all of the butter is evenly incorporated. Press the crust into the prepared baking pan and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. 3. Prepare the filling. In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add the corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, vanilla and whisk together. Fold in the pecans, chocolate chips, and coconut. 4. Pour the filling into the baked crust. 5. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the bars are set. Sprinkle the baked bars with the flake salt for a nice garnish. 6. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely. When ready, cut into bars. |
November 16, 2018
Makes 1 Bundt cake; serves 12-16 A classic combination - orange and cranberry make a delightful and festive Bundt cake for the season ahead. The sweetness of the orange glaze and tartness of the cranberries balance each other perfectly in every bite of this vanilla-forward, extra moist Bundt cake. Cake Ingredients: Glaze: Directions: |
November 16, 2018
Pear Almond Cake Each bite of this cake is punctuated with distinct flavors of almond, juicy pear, and a delicate, moist cake crumb. Not overly sweet, this cake is delicious with morning coffee, or as an after dinner treat. Cake Ingredients: Directions: |
November 16, 2018
Our Favorite Holiday Baking Gear |
Ankarsrum Mixer
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Fat Daddio's 9" x 3" Springform Pan A sturdy buckle keeps cakes secure while baking. Nonstick, and sturdy metal for even baking. |
Chef'n Switchit Mixer Scrapper Great for scrapping and getting every bit of batter! |
Nordic Ware Anniversary Bundt Pan We love this classic Bundt Pan shape. Bonus- it's nonstick for easy release and easy cleanup.
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USA Baking Pan A baking pan with so many uses! A kitchen essential nonstick! |
Emile 8" x 8" Square Baking Dish Perfect for baking and serving holiday bars this season. |
November 02, 2018
Thanksgiving Dinner Essentials |
Mauviel Stainless Steel Roasting Pan with Rack An excellent pan for roasting the turkey, and for baking dishes for a crowd. |
Epicurean Natural Cutting Board Choose a cutting board that is kind to your knives. This one is our favorite, as well as dishwasher safe.
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Zwilling Pro 7" Santoku The most valuable knife for Thanksgiving and all the chopping and slicing involved in dinner preparation.
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RSVP Potato Ricer Make fluffy, lump-free mashed potatoes with ease! |
OXO Swivel Peeler A sharp peeler makes a quick work of prepping vegetables. Keep a couple around for any extra helping hands. |
Wusthof Carving Set This set is indispensable when it's time to carve the bird. The fork steadies while the sharp knife carves with ease.
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November 01, 2018
Serves about 8 Thanksgiving turkey has a reputation for being a big deal to make. It is big, but it couldn't be easier to roast a fabulous, juicy bird. This recipe builds flavor in layers with a pre-salting process, an herbed butter under the skin, and a stuffing of aromatics. The result is a moist, golden bird with plenty of fall flavors infused throughout. Ingredients: Turkey Gravy Ingredients: Turkey Directions: Turkey Gravy Directions: 2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet or saucepan, make a roux with the flour and butter. Melt the butter and stir in the flour. Whisk together for 2 minutes, to remove the raw flour flavor. 3. Add one cup of the broth, and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer, and then slowly add the remaining broth while whisking. 4. Stir continuously until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve on the side of the turkey and mashed potatoes. |
November 01, 2018
Serves about 8 Get ready for the best garlic mashed potatoes ever! A potato ricer creates the perfect texture for mashed potatoes - after ricing, simply stir in the garlic-infused cream and butter for a creamy, dreamy, buttery experience. Ingredients: Directions: |
November 01, 2018
Serves 6-8 This cranberry sauce gets flavor from red wine, orange zest, and the warm spices of nutmeg and cinnamon. Plenty sweet and a bit tart, this sauce has the thicker texture of a jam. Delicious as a side dish to turkey - it would also be great as an appetizer (crostini with a smear of brie) or even as a dessert (a topping for vanilla ice cream). Ingredients: Directions: |
October 18, 2018
This time of year is perfect for cooking a few favorite comfort foods using one of our favorite types of pans - cast iron. Known for supreme durability and great heat retention, cast iron has been a classic type of cookware for over two thousand years! IN THIS ISSUE, we explore a few easy recipes that utilize cast iron, and will surely satisfy any hunger.
Our Favorite Cast Iron |
Lodge 12" Skillet Bake and serve all in one dish! These skillets are oven safe and broiler safe.
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Staub 4QT Turquoise Cocotte A versatile cast iron pot that features an enameled surface interior and exterior.
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Finex 10' Skillet Cast iron gets a modern make-over! American-made, designed to last forever. Unique stay cool handle design. Start an heirloom.
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Le Creuset 5.25QT Deep Round Oven A classic pot for a reason! This pot has defined the enameled cast iron.
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Knappmade Chain Mail Scrubber Perfect for cleaning cast iron.
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Finex Cast Iron Dutch Oven Modern cast iron that is defined by its heavy-duty construction that promotes even cooking and superior heat retention, Stay cool handles and, octagonal shape.
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October 18, 2018
Makes 8 wedges This savory cornbread is packed with flavor! Add-ins of cheddar cheese, shallot, corn, and jalapeño peppers turn this not-so-average side dish into a feature dish. We recommend enjoying this extra-moist cornbread warm with a dab of butter and a drizzle of honey. Ingredients: Directions: |