12 Days of Cookies, 2016 - Day 4: Chocolate Shortbread Meltaways

Andrea Leeson, manager of the Kingston branch, donned her baker's cap to whip up these dainty treats from Back to Baking: 200 timeless recipes to bake, share, and enjoy.

These cookies have a chocolate intensity that balances with their buttery richness, and when piped onto a baking tray, they look like chocolate kisses. 

1 cup (250 mL) unsalted butter,

   at room temperature

1 cup (250 mL) icing sugar, sifted

1 Tbsp (15 mL) vanilla extract

11/2 cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour

1/3 cup (80 mL) Dutch process cocoa powder, sifted
2 Tbsp (30 mL) cornstarch
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

 

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius) and line 2 baking trays with parchment paper.

Cream the butter and icing sugar together until smooth.  Beat in the vanilla extract.

 

Add the flour, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt, and beat until evenly incorporated.

 

Spoon the soft cookie dough into a piping bag fitted with a large plain tip, and pipe 1” (2.5 cm) “kisses” onto the baking trays, leaving a 2” space between the cookies.

Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, until they lift away from the parchment paper without sticking.

Let the cookies cool completely on the tray before removing. The cookies will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

DON"T FORGET: You can ENTER to win a Cookie Gift Bag!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's that wonderful time of the year! '12 Days of Cookies'

It's the end of November and what does that mean? Clocks have gone back an hour. Days are getting shorter. The weather is getting colder. Winter tires are going on and holiday baking is hitting full steam!  Which means, the 6th annual, award winning, 12 Days of Cookies is coming to a library near you.

 For twelve days, the staff and friends will be baking and sharing recipes and cookies. Each recipe, along with pictures, will be shared online via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and on this blog. All branches and the Bookmobile will be taking part in this cookie extravaganza, week days beginning Monday, December 5th and ending on December 20th.

There is also a contest to encourage public participation and a chance to win a "cookie gift bag'. Contest rules are available on the AVRL website.

This is a fun way to showcase the library's collection of cookbooks and magazines, especially during the holidays when many are baking.

In the coming days the staff of AVRL invite you to come see and taste what has been baked. Visit this blog to see which branch will have cookies that day for your tasting pleasure.

HAPPY BAKING!!

Coming soon! The Twelve Days of Cookies!

Ok! We know that Thanksgiving just happened, Halloween is near, and that special day of remembrance is quickly approaching. At Annapolis Valley Regional Library we observe all of those special days, but we are also preparing for the fifth year of The Twelve Days of Cookies to start off the yuletide season. That's right folks, time to start looking for great cookie recipes to share.

This annual event is entering its fifth year as a way to spread good cheer, let folks know about our great cookbook collection, and to show off your cooking skills. We won the 2014 APLA Library Advocacy Award for this project, and the cookie posts are some of our most viewed blogs each year.  
By popular request, this year we are including our magazine collection as a recipe source as well. So dust off your baking hat and start perusing those recipes in print, eBooks or online. Beginning December 5, here on our blog, we will post a new cookie recipe each weekday (not on the weekend) and the branch location where you can sample cookies baked by our very own staff (if you get there in time).

We'll also have our contest again. You bake cookies with a recipe from a library-owned source and you could win a 'Cookie Gift Bag'!

It is going to be sweet, SO STAY TUNED!

Day 6, 2015: SMILEY FACES

The cheery staff at the Kentville Library will be handing out these "feel good" treats today. They were baked by  the always smiling Gail Aldred. From the book Cookies: 200 Inspirational Cookie Recipes by Susanna Tee.

"These frosty faces are sure to put a smile on your face and tickle your taste buds.  The cook book I selected has a wide variety of recipes to choose so you will never be short of ideas to make something heavenly for friends and family, whatever the occasion.  Another good thing is the recipes are easy to follow using mostly cupboard ingredients."

SMILEY FACES

¾  CUP UNSALTED BUTTER, SOFTENED

½ CUP LIGHT BROWN SUGAR

1 LARGE EGG, LIGHTLY BEATEN
1 TBSP HONEY
2 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR,
  PLUS EXTRA FOR DUSTING
½ TSP GROUND CINNAMON

FOR DECORATING:
1 CUP CONFECTIONER’S SUGAR
ABOUT ½ TSP COLD WATER
3 TBSP CHOCOLATE SPRINKLES
20 GUM DROPS
TUBES OF COLORED DECORATING ICING

Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat together until light and fluffy.  Add the egg and honey and stir to combine.  Sift in the flour and cinnamon and mix to form a soft dough.  Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. 

Preheat the oven to 375 F/190 C.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.  Cut the dough in half and roll in the remaining flour, then roll out each piece between 2 sheets of plastic wrap.  Using a 2 ¾ - inch /7 – cm cookie cutter, cut our 10 disks from each piece and place on the baking sheet.  Bake in the preheated oven for 10 – 12 minutes, or until golden brown.  Let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Sift the confectioner’s sugar into a bowl, add the water, and mix until smooth.  Spread the cookies with a thin layer of icing, then use the chocolate sprinkles for hair and a gum drop for the nose.  Let set, then draw in the eyes and mouth with the decorating icing. 

Note: I added 1 TBSP of shortening to the icing and substituted black coloured sugar instead of chocolate sprinkles for the hat.

Don't forget-- you too can Enter to win a gift card. Show us YOUR cookies!

On the 12th Days of Cookies my true love gave to me... MORE COOKIES!!

 It’s that time of year once again.  Along with The Grinch, Frosty, and Santa, comes  the always popular 12 Days of Cookies.  Never mind  stringing popcorn or hanging out those festive lights. Help celebrate our award winning cookie extravaganza.

 Our staff and patrons are busy making cookies for the holiday season and for you! We will feature cookies on our blog for 12 days from December 7^th to the 22^nd  (Monday-Friday). You can see the photos of our cookies, get new recipes, and maybe find a new favourite to add to your baking repertoire.

We invite you to join in-- we'll even award a gift card to one of our lucky patron bakers. We've loved your photos from years past, so we can't wait to see what you create this year. Here’s how you can join the cookie fun!  We've sent extra cookbooks out to all or our branches, so find one at your local library.

The  cookie recipes will be posted here and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram beginning December 7.

Stay tuned each day to see which branch will be sharing their cookies and pop in for a treat.

Let the baking begin! 

Thanksgiving - Let's Talk Turkey

It's harvest time in Canada and for many of us that means Thanksgiving. This annual feast, held the second Monday of October, gives Canadians the opportunity to gather as a family or with friends and celebrate the bounty that surrounds us.

Whether we are feeding 2 or 20 this feast will most likely feature a turkey as the centerpiece. Last year at Thanksgiving 3.0 million whole turkeys were purchased by Canadians, equal to 32% of all whole turkeys that were sold over the year.

For some useful information on the preparation and serving of turkey visit this website .  Whether it's the oven or the BBQ there are lots of helpful hints and wine and beer pairings as well.

Traditionally the dinner will also include harvest vegetables, pumpkin or apple pie and of course the bird.  There will be choices to be made of course, free range or store bought, to stuff or not to stuff, whole or half, whether to make gravy and is dinner on Sunday or Monday?

With the growth of the local food movement, getting your hands on fresh poultry and produce is easier than ever.  For anyone looking for new or tried and true recipes this year check out some of the many cookbooks and magazines at your local library.

Whatever your menu, have a wonderful weekend and be thankful for not only the harvest, your family and friends but the King of Thanksgiving dinner - the Turkey! 

Here are just a few of the books we have to help you prepare your menu:

Roastit! : Good housekeeping favorite recipes 

Thefarmers' market guide to vegetables

 

Better homes and gardens 365 pies and tarts

 

Patricia Milner, Head of Reference Services