Cookies Cookies Cookies!

Who doesn't love cookies? If there is someone out there that does not like cookies, then we all need to try to convert them. All and any cookie is a great cookie. Theres many different types of cookies, and/or styles of cookies.

Im some parts of the world, Biscuits are what we know them as, Cookies. Cookies basically were born from the method of taking little amounts of cake batter and dropping it onto baking pans to test the temperature of the oven. Cookies were catergorized by method, such as Drop cookies.. which is just spoonfuls of dough dropped onto a baking sheet. Cut out or Molded cookies, was from the use of a cookie cutter or shaping the dough to desired style before baking. Pressed cookies, are from the process of pressing the cookie dough through a press machine or pastry bag to form creative designs. And, there are many more methods to behold in the process of making cookies. Biscuits were small flat cakes, baked twice to keep them fresh and crisp.

FROM WIKIPEDIA, The ENCYCLOPEDIA
Cookie- is a small, flat baked dessert. In most English speaking countries outside of North America, the common word is Biscuit.

What happens to most of us when we attempt to make cookies? Well first of all, you have a good cookie when it has an even golden color on both sides, and equal thick or thinness. When you have a bad cookie, it is either uneven in thick or thinness, it spreads to far out, uncooked and/or sticking to the tray, or over cooked.. to dark and hard. Many factors comes into play when you have a bad cookie.. usually it is either you did not allow enough room for it to spread, there might be to much sugar in the dough, or you did not mix the dough properly.

I've had cookies, that just wont rise, their as flat as a board or to hard because I may have measured the sugar wrong. But for now, my speciality is Sugar cookies, Jam Drops, Chocolate chip cookies, and Biscotti. Sugar cookies are simple.. once you find that perfect recipe, its all good from there.. you can use the recipe to make cut out cookies, drop, or pressed. If you decided to do Cut-out cookies, then after they bake, you can then decorate them for any occasion. My definition of sugar cookies, is that they are firm on the outside and soft in the inside. You have the hardness to withstand frosting, icing, and decorating.. but the softness of a really wonderful cookie.

Below are pictures of, Sugar Cookies decorated with royal icing and painted with food coloring. Not only a baker but as an artist, I wanted to create a scene on the cookies, totally different to what the cookie actually looks like.

Here we have pictures of Jam Drops: strawberry, raspberry, apricot, and orange marmalade, covered with chopped almonds.



As you can see, I am a real cookie fan..lol. These Jam Drops, which are alittle different then the normal drops people might be use to, were covered with chopped almonds and made a little more thicker. Any jam is fine, whatever is your favorite brand and flavor.. go right ahead and get started. I used Smuckers for all the different flavors, and an added bonus would be to sprinkle some royal icing over them..hmm so good!

Next are pictures of homemade Biscotti, Milk & Dark Chocolate Almond Biscotti.

I never knew what biscotti was until I tried some from my mom, and I must admit, the store bought ones were actually good. There was alot of chocolate and almonds, and it was hard but good! Its almost like eating sweet bread with lots of chocolate and almonds. So, as an aspiring baker, I decided to make my own. The pictures, is a result of my first try.. in which I was not sure how they were suppose to come out or taste. Im not just saying this, but they were a hit.. even though I do need some more practice. Biscotti's usually go with tea or coffee, and can be made into whatever your heart desires. If you are into health foods, or would like a snack with less sugar, this is for you. There are many ingredients you can add and infuse, candy, chocolate, nuts, savory, healthly..anything.