Three Cookies

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I've done a post. Unfortunately, this won't be a full post. Life is just a little crazy right now, but I hope to be able to do some full posts for you in the not-so-distant future. Today, I have some pictures of ginger cookies, rosemary butter cookies, and chai tea shortbread. Have a nice weekend.







Read more...

Vanilla Chai Cookies

I've just returned from the east coast to look at colleges. I'm on my spring break right now, which happens to be two weeks long (woo hoo!). Of course the first thing I did when I got back was to start baking. I've always been a fan of little cookies (here, here, here, & here). I think it's nice to be able to have a small treat when you want something sugary, but you don't want to eat an entire cheesecake.





These cookies taste just like a sweet chai latte. These would be great for a little tea time snack. Or any snack time for that matter.


Also, on another note, you may have noticed that Pâtisserie Natalie looks a little different. I've updated the layout for spring 2010. As you probably know, I design and code all my own layouts, and I'm pretty happy with how this one turned out. Being on spring break gave me some time to work on this new layout, which took a while to get right. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Vanilla Chai Sable Cookie

1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Combine butter and sugar in stand mixer until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and mix well. Add to the wet ingredients and mix just until barely combined. Using your hands, use a kneading motion inside the bowl so that the dough starts to come together. Flour your hands if the dough is sticking to you. Divide into two parts, flatten into disks, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Take out one of the disks and roll out to 1/4" thick on a flour surface. Using a scalloped cookie cutter (see link at the bottom) about 1 3/4" in diameter. Cut out cookies (I also cut out a little shape in the middle of half the cookies) and bake for 8 minutes, until edges are just slightly golden brown.

Cardamom Cream
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine ingredients in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment until soft and smooth. Transfer to a piping bag with plain tip about 1/2" in diameter. Sandwich cream in between two cookies.

What I used:


Read more...