My Cookie Recipe + A Holiday Giveaway!
The week before my finals is referred to “dead week.” This is the week where no exams are supposed to be given and students are supposed to prepare for finals. This year my dead week was on crack {as this is how my roommate referred to it}. On top of getting over a terrible respiratory infection and playing catch-up, I was taking finals early so I could go home to receive a nerve block.
Unfortunately due to an RSD/CRPS flare I wasn’t sleeping. However this was rather beneficial for me. I have learned not to fight sleepless nights, rather I am productive. At times my best papers are written on those nights that I can’t stop tossing around. There were days I didn’t know how I was functioning and by the end of “dead week” I was done with looking at study guides. My roommate had just came back from a late class, and if we were being honest there was no way we were going to be productive. My solution = take the night off to listen to Christmas music and bake. (AKA Procrastination at it’s finest!)
Honestly I had plans to open the books after baking, but it didn’t happen. I was way too tired and I was OK with that. Having experienced 4 finals weeks I have learned that by some miracle it will all get done!
For my virtual cookie exchange recipe I wanted to make a cookie which reminded me of Christmas time. For me one of those cookies is Spritz cookies. Though this butter cookie is rather plain compared to other cookies there is something that I enjoy about them. Before I went back to school my Mom brought me a Wilton Cookie-Pro II as she knew I wanted to make cookies up at school – once again, an example of how wonderful my mom is.
I wanted to make the original recipe from Wilton but I didn’t have one of the main ingredients, so instead I turned to a recipe from the Food Network! Though these were a simple cookie I really enjoy sandwiching two between raspberry preserves. I also thought they were better the day after I made them. Does anyone else find this weird that some cookies get better with time?
Baking was a great distraction, not to mention a way to get a good laugh in. If only we had a video camera of us trying to figure out how to work the cookie maker! Imagine two grad students looking rather perplexed and then becoming amazed after we figured out how to use it (Thank goodness for Youtube!) I was rather excited and amazed at how easy this device was after I figured it out!
Honey Spritz Cookies
(Taken from Food Network and Adapted)
2 cups all-purpose flour ( I used Jules Gluten Free)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (Omit if you use Earth Balance Butter Sticks)
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature (I used Earth Balance)
1/3 cup evaporated cane juice
1 large egg
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Make Sure GF)
Coarse sugar and/or nonpareils, for decorating (optional)
Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg, honey and vanilla and beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture and beat until just incorporated (the dough will be soft).
Fill a cookie press with the dough according to the manufacturer’s instructions; press out the cookies about 1 1/2 inches apart onto 2 ungreased baking sheets.
Decorate the cookies with coarse sugar and/or nonpareils. Bake, switching the position of the pans halfway through, until the cookies are just golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool 2 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
I am truly blown away by the success of this cookie exchange! Thank you again to all who participated and for all of you the read the posts. I hope you found a cookie recipe you will enjoy this holiday season.
As this year is quickly coming to a close I am truly grateful for your readership! What better way to show my appreciation then by throwing a giveaway? I have teamed up with LUNA Protein to host a holiday giveaway. One lucky winner will win a box of their choice LUNA Protein bars!!
Luna Protein Bars comes in five chocolate-y flavors that are all gluten free (Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Cherry Almond, Cookie Dough), and are a great alternative when you are on the go; especially during this busy holiday season. Each bar is under 200 calories, and contains 12 g protein and 3 g fiber.
Since I continue to have so much success with Raffelopter I will be hosting it through this site again! Reminder: Enter your email or log in thru facebook – this is not public information. It is only used as a way to contact the winner. Then follow the steps. There are 5 ways to enter. The more ways you enter the more chances you have of winning (Hint: ”Liking” my Facebook page is mandatory, but it will also earn you 2 points) Good luck and please spread the word. Giveaway ends at 12:00AM on December 24th!
Just found your blog, and I’m so thankful for the gluten – free cookie recipes! My daughter and I have only been gluten – free for 5 weeks, and sweets have definitely been the biggest challenge. Thanks so much!
So glad you found my blog!! If you have any questions as you begin your journey feel free to email me. Best of luck & Happy Holidays.