Cheesy Potato Casserole

There have been quite of few foods trending or going viral this year. Like Homemade No Knead Artisan Bread, Dalgona Coffee, and now Chocolate Bombs. Whether or not any of these will endure over time is anyone's guess. Although if I were a betting person I would say the No Knead Artisan Bread will be with us for years to come. Because bread is a comfort food to many. And nothing soothes the soul better than indulging ourselves in some our favorite comfort foods. Not only do they have enduring and endearing qualities to them, they sometimes are the foods we gravitate toward when we are craving a mood boost. A Cheesy Potato Casserole is the legal, vegetable version of a psychedelic drug, otherwise known, as one of the best comfort foods to have ever been created. And no, I won't spoil it by telling you it's comes with a heavy dose of calorie overload. Life is short. We all need to make room for some in moderation indulgences in our lives.

Almost every family has 'their' version of the best recipe for a Cheesy Potato Casserole. When served at the holidays, gatherings or barbecues, it's usually the dish everyone gravitates towards. As it's often the dish first to go. Even those who maintain they live a clean, healthy eating lifestyle find it hard to resist.

Let me start by putting any sense of humbleness aside or tempering any bit of food arrogance I may have from time to time let rear it's not so pretty head. This Cheesy Potato Casserole is the most wicked, best ever, most crave worthy, most crowd pleasing comfort food to have ever been created. There, I said it. And I have no regrets because it's just that good. And since I am on a bit of a hubris roll, risking any lifelong friendships, or causing any family conflict, let me say it's destined to become the new family favorite.

If you allow yourself to go down the Cheesy Potato Casserole rabbit hole you will find hundreds of versions of recipes for them. Some are made with frozen shredded hash browns or cooked potatoes versus frozen diced potato hash browns. While others are made with a combination of cheeses versus Velveeta (which, yes loosely qualifies as a cheese). Some are topped with crushed Ritz Crackers rather than crushed corn flake cereal. And then some are made with a homemade cream sauce rather than a can of cream of chicken soup. But comfort food was intended to be simple and not the least bit pretentious. And this Cheesy Potato Casserole is the embodiment of simple and unpretentious. 

In addition to frozen diced hash brown potatoes, this Cheesy Potato Casserole is made with sour cream, melted butter, Velveeta cheese, cream of chicken soup, dried chopped or minced onions, some Kosher salt, and topped with a slightly crushed cornflake and (yes, more) butter mixture. It's creamy, cheesy, and crunchy. The trifecta of comfort food deliciousness.

If there was ever a reason to stock up on cream of chicken soup and frozen diced hash brown potatoes, it would be this Cheesy Potato Casserole. If there was ever a time when we needed some soul satisfying comfort food in our lives, this definitely would be it. With the holidays approaching there may be no better side dish to make than this Cheesy Potato Casserole if you are looking to bring some joy to your family and/or friends. Make it for Christmas and/or New Years. And then when it's safe to have large gatherings again, make a double batch and invite all of the friends in your life you have missed being with. I promise a real hug and this Cheesy Potato Casserole will bring the kind of euphoria we all are longing to again experience.

Recipe

Cheesy Potato Casserole

Serves 8-10 as a side dish

Ingredients

1 bag (32 ounces/907g) frozen diced hash brown potatoes, slightly thawed (see Notes)

1 can (10.5 ounces/298g) cream of chicken soup

16 ounces (454g) sour cream

8 Tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

4 Tablespoons dried chopped or minced onions

12 ounces Velveeta cheese (338g), coarsely grated

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

4 cups (4 ounces/112g) corn flakes, slightly crushed

8 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

Optional: Fresh herbs (thyme, parsley) for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Butter a large baking dish (9" x 13") and set aside.

2. In a medium sized bowl, mix together the slightly crushed corn flakes and melted butter. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, melted butter, Kosher salt and dried onions.

4. Fold in the shredded cheese and then fold in the diced hash brown potatoes.

5. Spoon mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the cornflake/butter mixture.

6. Place baking dish on a large baking dish and bake for 60-65 minutes. Note: Check at the 30 minute mark. If your cornflake topping is getting too brown, gently lay (do not wrap) a piece of aluminum foil on top and continue baking.

7. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving. Garnish with some chopped fresh herbs (like thyme and/or fresh parsley).

8. If you are lucky enough to have any leftovers, cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. This casserole heats up perfectly in the microwave.

Notes: (1) I used these Ore-Ida Diced Hash Brown Potatoes. Take the frozen diced potato hash browns out of the freezer while you start putting together the rest of the ingredients and preheating the oven. In my world this is what it takes to get them to a slightly thawed state.

Cinnamon Meringue Pecans

I have spent the better part of the last couple of weeks searching for a spiced cookie recipe given to me by a friend years ago. Unfortunately I couldn't find it. This wasn't the first time I went on the hunt for this particular recipe. One I distinctly remember hand writing on an index card while sitting at her kitchen table. When I came up empty the first time I searched for this recipe, I called my friend to ask if she still had or remembered the cookie. I even tried to jog her memory by retelling her the story she told me about the cookie. When she said she didn't recall that cookie I was a bit heartsick and mad at myself for 'misplacing' it. So all I have left of this incredible tasting cookie is a memory and some hope that it will someday be miraculously found. However, all of that time spent searching wasn't completely lost. While going through the piles of my not very well organized recipes, I rediscovered another favorite recipe. Because I so frequently make the Sugar Meringue Walnuts, I realized the recipe for these mouthwatering Cinnamon Meringue Pecans was never shared with you. 

Cinnamon Meringue Pecans are the epitome of sugar and spice.I can still remember the first time I tasted these Cinnamon Meringue Pecans. And it's not a pretty memory. One day at work (almost two decades ago), I was given a bag of them from a co-worker. I proceeded to eat the entire bag in one sitting. They were addictive. As soon as I was finished with them, I went looking for her to ask for the recipe. And I still have the copy of the recipe she had typed up for me all those years ago.

If you are looking to take a break from all of your holiday baking, make these Cinnamon Meringue Pecans. If you are looking to make some gifts for friends, neighbors, or persons you appreciate, make these Cinnamon Meringue Pecans. And, if by chance you love snacking on nuts, make these Cinnamon Meringue Pecans. This may be one of those recipes you will be making a second batch of as the first batch won't last very long.

Unlike the Sugared Meringue Walnuts where the mixture of meringue and nuts is spooned over a pan of melted butter, the melted butter is mixed into the meringue and nut mixture. Note: It's important that your melted butter cools down a bit before you add it in or the meringue won't hold up in the mixing process.

Baking time for the Cinnamon Meringue Pecans ranges between 35-40 minutes when placed in a preheated 300 degree (F) oven. Turning the pecans over twice during the baking process (I like turning them at the 15 minute marks) helps to set the baked meringue. If some of the meringue falls off during the baking process (which may happen when you turn the nuts the first time), just spoon it over the pecans and continue baking.

When the nuts are lightly browned remove from the oven, spoon onto a large sheet of parchment paper. As the pecans cool, the meringue will completely set up. So don't worry too much if you think some of your meringue is a bit soft when you take them out of the oven. 

If you are a big fan of pecans, you are going to absolutely love these Cinnamon Meringue Pecans as roasted pecans have a much deeper flavor. They are crunchy, slightly sweet, and have the slightest hint of cinnamon flavor. Considering how addictive they are, they should probably come with a warning label. Put them out in a bowl and watch them disappear. 

Recipe

Cinnamon Meringue Pecans

Ingredients

2 large egg whites

1 cup (200g) granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 pound (453g) pecan halves

1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees (F).

2. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat egg whites until frothy. Then slowly add in the granulated sugar. Increase mixer speed to high and beat until the mixture has thickened and holds stiff peaks.

3. Transfer meringue mixture to a large bowl. Fold in the Kosher salt and cinnamon.

4. Add in the nuts and slightly cooled melted butter. Fold until well blended.

5. Transfer mixture to a large (15"x21") rimmed baking sheet. Evenly spread the nuts out.

6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until lightly golden, turning the nuts over at both the 15 and 30 minute mark.

7. Transfer baked nuts to a large sheet of parchment paper. Let cool to room temperature.

8. Serve immediately. Store in a either a tightly sealed container or wrap in cellophane bags.

Vanilla Marshmallows

My kitchen has been in a virtual state of chaos for the past two weeks. And with the seemingly endless supply of butter and chocolate slowly beginning to dwindle down, I should probably think about pushing the 'pause' button on holiday baking. Maybe just for a day, maybe for two. So I can get caught up on things like wrapping gifts (not even started), doing the mundane tasks of cleaning the house and folding laundry (my least favorite things to do), and sitting down to start reading some of the books piled high on my nightstand (by the fire with a steaming cup of hot chocolate or glass of wine). However, sitting still for any length of time is not a concept that comes easy to me. Which means I generally live in a constant state of busyness. As I have shared before, baking is a form of therapy for me. It brings a similar kind of joy to my heart that being in the mountains or being near the ocean brings. And given the year we have all had, a heavy dose of therapy is what I need more than anything else right now to stay grounded, to keep my heart filled with joy. 

Speaking of joy, these homemade Vanilla Marshmallows almost had my heart almost bursting.  Once you have tasted a homemade marshmallow you will understand why it's easy to become obsessed with these pillowy, vanilla-y, fluffy confections. Your s'mores, hot chocolate, and now your hot chocolate charcuterie boards will never, ever be the same. 

This wasn't my first time making marshmallows. I have been making these Homemade Fluffy Vanilla Marshmallows for the past five years. So why share yet another version of a recipe already on the blog? Well it's all about giving you options! And there are several differences between that recipe and this new one. Not only are the ingredient amounts significantly different, this one doesn't use any raw egg whites to help achieve that luscious pillowy, plush texture.

I am going to go out on a short limb and say making marshmallows is relatively easy. But there are several things you need to make creating these melt in your mouth bites of desirable deliciousness a fearless endeavor. A good candy thermometer, a heavy bottomed saucepan, and a larger sized standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment will definitely make your marshmallow making life easier. 

Getting your simple syrup to a temperature of 240 degrees (F) may be one of the most critical steps in the marshmallow making process. And the key to ensuring your simple syrup doesn't become crystallized is to not stir the water, corn syrup, sugar mixture while it is boiling. Just give it one quick stir in the beginning to mix the ingredients together, then 'let it go' until it reaches 240 degrees (F). And this is where a good thermometer and heavy bottomed saucepan comes in handy.

Compared to other marshmallow recipes this one uses a quarter cup (40g) of unflavored gelatin. An amount considerably more than most other recipes including the one I have been using. The gelatin blooms in 3/4 cup of warm water in the base of the standing mixer. The blooming process (5-6 minutes) helps to ensure the gelatin will dissolve evenly (no lumps) when the hot sugar syrup is slowly poured into the mixer. Just before adding the hot sugar syrup, turn your mixer on a low speed to give your gelatin mixture a quick stir.

Once all of the simple syrup is poured into the bowl, increase your mixer speed to medium-high and add in the Kosher salt, vanilla bean paste, and vanilla. Then increase the speed to high and whip the mixture until it is thick, shiny, and has the texture of a thick marshmallow fluff. Additionally the temperature of the mixing bowl will be barely warm. This process could take anywhere from 9-12 minutes. 

You can prepare your 9"x12" or 9"x13" pan before you start making the marshmallows (would highly recommend) or while the marshmallows are beating. Because once your mixture has reached the right consistency you will need to work a little quickly. Lining your pan with parchment paper, buttering the paper/sides of the pan, and generously dusting the pan with the confectionary sugar/cornstarch mixture greatly aids in the removal process. Note: You will not use all of your confectionary sugar/cornstarch mixture to dust the bottom of the pan as you will use it to dust the top of the marshmallows and then to toss the cut marshmallows in it.

Have a lightly buttered spatula handy when you scrape out the marshmallow mixture into your prepared pan! This mixture can be a bit sticky. The sugar dusted pan of marshmallows needs to rest (uncovered) at room temperature for at least eight hours or overnight. 

I find using a large pair of scissors to cut the marshmallows is much easier than using a sharp, buttered knife. But either cutting option works. Once cut, the marshmallows get tossed in the remaining confectionary sugar/cornstarch mixture. To keep them fresh, wrap your marshmallows in cellophane bags or store in a tightly sealed (tin) container at room temperature. They will be good for anywhere from 2 weeks to one month. Do not store your marshmallows in the refrigerator.  

I like cutting my marshmallows into two inch squares for a couple for a reasons. Not only is this is the perfect size for s'mores, it's an impressive finish to a cup of hot chocolate. Additionally, two inch square marshmallows can always be cut into one inch squares if you like smaller marshmallows in your hot chocolate or just to pop in your mouth!

After tasting these fluffy, melt in your mouth, vanilla-y Vanilla Marshmallows I wished I had included them in all of my holiday boxes this year. They will definitely go into every one of next year's boxes. But rather than wait another year, I will definitely make another batch or two after the holidays to create hot cocoa/homemade marshmallow packages to give out after the holidays. How much joy would a warm cup of hot chocolate topped with a luscious marshmallow on a cold winter day bring? 

So whether you make these Vanilla Marshmallows before or after the holidays or both before and after the holidays, I hope you just make them. Because at least one thing is certain. Your s'mores will never again be made with store-bought marshmallows.

Recipe

Vanilla Marshmallows

Ingredients

Vanilla Marshmallows

1 1/2 cups warm water, divided in half

1/4 cup (40g) unflavored gelatin powder (about six 1 ounce/28g packets)

2 1/2 cups (500g) granulated sugar

1 cup corn syrup

1 Tablespoon vanilla bean paste (see notes)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

3/8 teaspoon Kosher salt

Confectionary Sugar/Cornstarch Dusting Powder

1/2 cup (62g) powdered sugar

1/2 cup (56g) cornstarch

Directions

1. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dusting powder. Set aside.

2. Line a 9"x12" or 9"x13" pan with 2" high sides with parchment paper. Lightly butter the paper and sides of the pan. Generously dust the pan with some of the dusting powder mixture. Set aside. Note: For Thicker marshmallows, use a 9"x9" pan.

3. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, add in the corn syrup, granulated sugar and 3/4 cup of water. Stir to mix then cook over medium to medium-high heat until the mixture reaches a temperature of 240 degrees (F). This could take anywhere from 6-9 minutes.

4. While the sugar mixture is boiling, add the gelatin powder and 3/4 cup of warm water into the bowl of a standing mixer. Stir only to cover the gelatin and let the gelatin bloom for 5-6 minutes.

5. As soon as the sugar syrup reaches the desired temperature, remove from the heat. Turn the mixer on low to stir up the gelatin and then slowly pour the hot sugar syrup down the sides of the mixing bowl. 

6. Increase the mixing speed to medium-high and add in the vanilla bean paste, vanilla, and salt. Once added, increase the speed to high and beat the mixture for 9-12 minutes or until it's fluffy, thick, and shiny. Additionally the bowl will feel only slightly warm.

7. Using a lightly buttered spatula, scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. Smooth out or swirl the top of the marshmallows with an offset spatula.

8. Dust the top of the marshmallows with some of the dusting powder. Reserve the remaining dusting powder to toss the cut marshmallows.

9. Let the marshmallows sit uncovered at room temperature for 8 hours or overnight.

10. Using a large pair of cutting scissors or lightly buttered knife, cut the marshmallows into your desired size(s). I like cutting them into 2" squares. Toss the cut marshmallows in the reserved dusting powder.

11. Store in a tightly sealed tin container or wrap in cellophane bags. 

12. Stored well at room temperature, the marshmallows will keep for at least 2 weeks and up to 4 weeks (if they last that long!).

Notes: (1) I used this Vanilla Bean paste from Nielsen-Massey. If you don't have vanilla bean paste, replace 1 Tablespoon of the paste with 1 Tablespoon of vanilla extract. Yes, that means there be will ALOT of vanilla in these marshmallows. (2) This is a slight adaption of the Marshmallow recipe from the cookbook "Little Flower Bakery" by Staci Valentine and Christine Moore.

Ginger Molasses Cookies - Version 2

 

This wasn't the holiday season I was expecting this year. And it probably wasn't the one you expected either. But in spite of it being a different kind of Christmas this year, I know I am not alone in wanting to make it a best version of different as possible. Which means to start, there will be no shortage of cookies and confections coming out of my kitchen! I may not know what I am making for dinner on any given night, but I definitely know what will go into this year's holiday boxes. While there will be some of the standards, I thought I would not only resurrect some recipes I haven't made in a while but create some new ones. Unexpected surprises are good surprises especially when they involve something sweet or something spiced. And this Ginger Molasses Cookie (Version 2) is just one of several new cookies making their debut this season!

Seven years ago (to the day) I posted a recipe for White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Molasses Cookies. These were my go to ginger cookies for years. However, over the past seven years ago I have learned a thing or two about enhancing the flavor and texture of cookies. So it was time that cookie got more than a bit of a makeover. 

In addition to changing up the spices more than a bit as well as increasing the amount of flour and baking soda used, this version of Ginger Molasses Cookies uses a butter/shortening combination (rather than all shortening) and a granulated sugar/dark brown sugar blend (instead of only all granulated sugar). All of these changes made for a much spicer, chewier ginger molasses cookie! In other words, this is a much, much better version of the original posted recipe. If you love an easy to make spiced cookie (and don't want to make the little more labor intensive but well worth the effort Gingerbread Cookies with Rum Glaze), these are the ginger cookies you definitely want to make this holiday season. Based on the rave reviews they got here, I wouldn't be surprised if you keep making them after the holidays are over as well! 

The use of an ice cream scoop helps to make more uniform sized balls of dough. If you like small sized ginger molasses cookies use a smaller ice cream scoop. If you like your ginger cookies to be the size of your palm, use a larger sized ice cream scoop. You will just need to adjust your baking time depending on the size of your balls of dough.

Chilling the dough for 15-20 minutes helps with the shaping of the balls of dough. Don't chill your dough any longer as these cookies benefit from baking when they are closer to room temperature than they do from being chilled (unlike some other cookies where chill time is critical).

It wouldn't be the holidays if there wasn't just a little bit of decadence, right? Partially dipping and drizzling the Ginger Molasses Cookies with some melted white chocolate is akin to wearing a string of pearls with a black dress (will we ever again go somewhere where we can wear such an outfit?). In other words, the white chocolate is a classic finishing touch to these perfectly spiced cookies. 

Recipe

Ginger Molasses Cookies - Version 2

Makes 26-36 cookies (depending on how small or large you make them)

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups (292g) all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/4 cup (48g) shortening

3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar

1/4 cup (50g) dark brown sugar, firmly packed

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 large egg

1/4 cup molasses

Sugar for rolling cookies

Optional: Sparkling sugar

8 ounces white chocolate (for melting)

Directions

1. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and Kosher salt. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and shortening until blended (about 1 minute).

3. Add in the granulated sugar and dark brown sugar. Beat until well blended (about 2 minutes).

4. Mix in the vanilla, egg and molasses. Beat until blended (about 1 minute).

5. Add in the dry ingredients. Beat until fully incorporated.

6. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for just 15-20 minutes (this will make scooping out the dough a bit easier).

7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 

8. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Using either a 1", 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" ice cream scoop, scoop out balls of dough. Place balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least two inches between each cookie ball.

9. Roll each ball of dough in a bowl of granulated sugar (or a bowl of granulated sugar mixed with sparkling sugar). Return each ball to the baking sheet.

10. Place one tray of cookies in the oven (middle rack) and bake for 10-14 minutes (less baking time for small cookies, longer baking time for slightly larger cookies). Allow cookies to cool on the cookie sheet before removing to a wire rack. Then bake your second tray of cookies.

11. Melt white chocolate in the microwave or in a bowl positioned over some simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water).

12. Dip part of each cookie in the melted white chocolate. Drizzle more chocolate over the cookie (if desired).

13. Lightly sprinkle some sparkling sugar on the white chocolate before it sets up.

14. Let cookies set up completely.

15. Store in a tightly sealed container. Or wrap in cellophane bags.

Spice Walnut Cookies w/ White Chocolate Drizzle

According to the calendar it's Thanksgiving week. Yet as I drive through my town at night one would think we are in the midst of the Christmas holidays. It seems previously held norms for celebrating one holiday at a time along with decorating traditions have gone to the wayside in 2020. Why was I so surprised by this? For now all of my holiday decorations will remain in the attic. They may or may not see the light of the day this year.  For the moment, I am going to do my best to just enjoy one holiday at a time. Even if that means being a bit of an outlier by not jumping on the pre-Thanksgiving Christmas decorating bandwagon. It may be the only pandemic trend I am not getting caught up in this year. Which may seem a bit out of character for someone who was making homemade no knead artisan bread, drinking Dalgona coffees, and assembling thousand piece puzzles within hours (okay well maybe it was days) of their dominance on social media. 

Regardless of whether or not any or all of the Christmas boxes come down from the attic this year, holiday baking will not be cancelled! More than twelve pounds of butter along with pounds of flour, sugar, chocolate and nuts have been stockpiled in anticipation of keeping my holiday cookie baking and confections making traditions alive. While there is always some predictability about which cookies and confections get made for the holidays, there are always a couple of new things added or favorites resurrected each year. Fruit and Nut Bark, Homemade Nutty Granola with Dried Cranberries and Cherries and these Spice Walnut Cookies with White Chocolate Drizzle will definitely be making their first time Christmas appearances. The other new contenders as well as what will go on hiatus this year will remain secret for now. It may be Thanksgiving week, but it's cookie baking week year round around here.

The holidays seem to call for cookies flavored with warm spices to tingle our taste buds. In these Spice Walnut Cookies w/ White Chocolate Drizzle cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves combine to create a perfect, deeply spiced cookie. I had first tried coating them with a rum glaze, but the creaminess of a white chocolate drizzle made for a much better flavor contrast and compliment to the crisp, spicy cookie. It also added just the right amount of decadence.

The chilling time for the dough is relatively short. After only thirty to forty minutes in the refrigerator, the dough rolls out beautifully.

Next to some of my favorite shortbread recipes on the blog, these are also one of those cookies that rolls out beautifully. Rolled out to a 1/4" thickness the cookies bake in a preheated 350 degree (F) oven for 12-14 minutes or until they are golden brown. Using a 2 1/4 inch round cookie cutter the yield is 24-26 cookies. If you make a little smaller, you will get a larger number of cookies. Just be certain to monitor your baking time if you size them up or down.

Once cooled they can be gussied up with some melted white chocolate and sparkling sugar. Holidays or not, I wouldn't make these Spice Walnut Cookies w/ White Chocolate Drizzle any other way.

If you are looking for another cookie to add to your life, put this one high on, or rather I should say, put this one at the top of your list. Give a bag of these Spice Walnut Cookies w/ White Chocolate Drizzle and a box of tea or bag of coffee to your friends for the holidays. Not only would this be an incredibly delicious gift, these cookies are holiday spirit mood boosters! If that wasn't enough, they are the kind of cookies you just want to savor while sitting by a fire, admiring your holiday tree, thinking about whether or not to put up a holiday tree, unwinding after a hectic day, or needing a little something to satisfy your sweet tooth.

As you get ready for the holiday baking season, make certain you have some cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, walnuts, white chocolate, and sparkling sugar in your pantry. If you love aromatically spiced cookies, odds are you will be making a second batch of these after you taste them. I wouldn't be surprised if they go on your 'must make' holiday cookie list for years to come! 

Happy Thanksgiving week to all of you! However, with who ever and wherever you celebrate this untraditional traditional holiday this year, I wish you all a very blessed day.

Recipe

Spice Walnut Cookies w/ White Chocolate Drizzle

Makes 24-26 medium sized cookies

Ingredients

Cookies

1/2 cup (55g) walnuts, toasted and finely ground

1 1/4 cups (163g) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling out dough

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

8 Tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

1/2 cup (105 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed

1 large egg

5 ounces (144g) white chocolate (see notes)

2 Tablespoons sparkling sugar

Directions

Cookies

1. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the finely ground walnuts, all-purpose flour, baking powder, Kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves until combined. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter at medium speed for one minute.

3. Add in the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Continue beating the mixture until fluffy (approximately 3-4 minutes).

4. Beat in the egg until it is fully incorporated.

5. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add in the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.

6. Scrape dough onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Shape dough into a 6" x 1" square. Wrap tightly and place in the refrigerator. Let the dough chill for 30-40 minutes.

7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

8. Remove dough from the refrigerator. Unwrap and cut it in half. Return one half back to the refrigerator.

9. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of dough halves to 1/4" (6mm). Cut into desired shapes. Note: (I used a 2 1/4 inch round cookie cutter).

10. Arrange cut shapes onto a prepared baking sheet, leaving at least 1 inch between each cookie.

11. Bake for 12-14 minutes, rotating the baking sheet midway through the baking process, until cookies are golden.

12. Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Allow cookies to come to room temperature.

13. Roll out remaining dough and bake according to directions above. Note: You can reroll the scraps of the dough.

14. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler. Drizzle the melted chocolate over each cookie. Lightly sprinkle with the sparkling sugar.

15. Let cookies set completely before serving or packaging. Store cookies in a tightly sealed contained or in cellophane bags tied tightly with string or ribbon.

Notes: (1) I use a 2 1/4 inch round cookie cutter. (2) Toast your walnuts at 350 degrees (F) for 8-10 minutes or until fragrant. Allow to cool before placing in a food processor to achieve a finely ground consistency. (3) I used the Ghiradelli White Chocolate Melting Wafers. Nowadays you can find them at many grocery stores in the baking aisle.

Cheddar Cheese Crackers

Several weeks ago we decided the time had finally come to start repainting the interior of our house. One room at a time. The last time all of the walls got a fresh coat of paint was when we moved in almost fourteen years ago. Professional painters were hired to paint back then. Today the painter responsible for painting the house (one room at time) is someone I am affectionately referring to as Eldon. For those of you who remember the television show Murphy Brown you will remember Eldon, the painter who never seemed to finish painting. While my Eldon is taking painstaking care to make all of the necessary wall repairs and give them a professional finish, each room is taking about a week to get done. Which means I am living in a constant state of disarray. A little more than a week ago, Eldon starting painting the kitchen. Which meant all baking and cooking came to a complete halt. Maybe it was my not so subtle whining, but I was given a two hour baking window over the weekend. So I managed to make these incredibly delicious Cheddar Cheeses Crackers. And for the first time in a week all felt right in my world in spite of living in a state of chaos.

Way back in April 2016 I shared a recipe for some Rosemary Cheddar Crackers. Maybe they looked tedious to make because they were cut into little shapes. Maybe they didn't grab your attention because we weren't living in a pandemic and there were no shortages of any kind at the grocery store.  Or maybe the timing for sharing the recipe was a bit off. Whatever the reason or reasons, I decided to make a few minor changes to the recipe (mostly in technique), cut them into squares (less tedious), and now call them Cheddar Cheese Crackers (I would call them Cheez-Its, but that name has already been taken). With the upcoming holidays, some great miniseries to binge watch. and the current charcuterie board craze, this may be the perfect time to be making these Cheddar Cheese Crackers. Actually it is the perfect time to make them!

A homemade cheese cracker is almost always better than ones store bought. And these are definitely better than the ones out of the box you grew up eating!

With just six ingredients and some flaky sea salt, you can create the cheesiest crackers to snack on, to put on your charcuterie board, or to package up and share with friends. For the best, most mouth watering, cheesiest crackers use a good quality sharp cheddar cheese. A small amount of cayenne or Aleppo pepper further enhances the sharpness of the cheese flavor. There are a few ingredient differences between these crackers and the Rosemary Cheddar Crackers. These were made with a European style butter in order to add to the richness of the cracker. In addition to the Kosher salt in the dough, these were topped with some flaky sea salt. Instead of Aleppo pepper I used some cayenne pepper (although either would work). Lastly, I used a yellow sharp aged cheddar instead of white aged cheddar (even though kinds of cheddar would work well). While the changes weren't that significant, they all made for an even tastier cracker.

Chilling time on the dough was reduced from an hour to 30-45 minutes. And instead of rolling out the dough to an 1/8" thickness, these were rolled out to about 1/6" thickness. 

Rather than use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes, I used a ruler and a knife (a pizza cutter would work too) to create one inch squares this time. By cutting the dough into squares a lot less dough is wasted and/or needing to be rerolled out (the less you roll out the scraps of dough, the better chance your crackers will not be tough). Making holes in the crackers helps to release some of the 'steam' during the baking process as well as prevents your crackers from having bubbles. A cocktail straw was used to make the holes in the crackers but you could easily use the bottom of a skewer to make them.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (F) so your baking trays go into a hot versus warm or cold oven.  Baking time for the crackers ranges from 16-20 minutes. For a crispier cracker your baking time will most likely be closer to the 20 minute mark. However, because all ovens bake up differently start checking your crackers at the 12 minute mark. Let your baked crackers cool on the baking sheet. 

Feel free to add some herbs (no more than 2 teaspoons if using rosemary, no more than 1 teaspoon of black pepper instead of cayenne/Aleppo pepper, or no more than 1 Tablespoon of fresh herbs) to your dough or use something else other than a sharp cheddar. Please note that harder, drier cheeses may require a little more water to form the dough and softer cheeses may require less. At the moment I am smitten with the flavor of cheddar in these crackers and I am certain you will be too!

I loved these Cheddar Cheese Crackers so much they might find their way into some of the holiday boxes being sent out this year. A little something savory to balance out all of the sweetness. With any luck I will have my kitchen back well before I make a Thanksgiving dinner for two or start baking for the holidays. Maybe I should bribe Eldon with a few more of these melt in our mouth, cheesy, snappy Cheddar Cheese Crackers to speed things up a bit.

Recipe

Cheddar Cheese Crackers

Makes approximately 82 one inch crackers

Ingredients

4 Tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, room temperature (if at all possible, use a European style butter)

8 ounces (227g) good quality, sharp cheddar cheese (use at least a 2 year old cheddar for a more cheesier cracker)

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or Aleppo pepper

1 cup (130g) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling out dough

3 Tablespoons cold water

Flaky sea salt for finishing (e.g., Maldon Sea Salt)

Directions

1. Place butter and cheese, in the bowl of a large food processor. Pulse to combine.

2. Add the flour, salt, and cayenne/Aleppo pepper. Process until mixture resembles a coarse, sandy meal texture.
3. Add 3 Tablespoon of cold water. Pulse until mixture starts to come together in a ball. Do not over process or you will create a tough textured cracker.
4. Flatten dough into a four or five inch disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Lightly flour the surface used for rolling out the dough. Roll out to approximately 1/6" thickness. Note: Alternately roll the dough out to a thickness somewhere between 1/8" and 1/6".

7. Cut the dough into desired 1" shapes (using cookie cutters, pizza cutter, knife, etc.) Note: I used a ruler and a knife to create 1" squares.

8. Press 2 holes into each square/shape using a cocktail straw or end of a skewer.

9. Place crackers on the parchment paper lined baking sheets, leaving at least 1/2" between the crackers.

10. Sprinkle each square/shape with flaky sea salt.

11. Put one pan in oven and bake for 16-20 minutes or until a deep golden brown. Rotate pan midway through the baking process and start checking for doneness at 12 minutes. (Note: Baking time may vary based on the size and/or thickness of crackers. Larger crackers may take longer to bake. For a snappier, crunchier cracker your baking time will be longer.

12. Remove from the oven and allow the crackers to cool on the baking sheets. Optional: Sprinkle with a little bit more flaky sea salt.

13. Transfer to a bowl and serve. Or store in a sealed container or cellophane bag for up to 1 week, if they last that long.

Notes: (1) Bake only one baking sheet of crackers at a time. (2) Use a good quality, sharp cheddar cheese. The more aged the cheese, the drier the cheese will be. This may require you to add a slightly bit more water to the dough. Add in 1 teaspoon at a time. (3) I used a sharp yellow cheddar cheese. If you use a sharp white cheddar cheese, the color of your crackers will look different but will be equally delicious. (4) This is another adaption of the Red Chili and Cheddar Diamonds recipe in The Cheesemongers Kitchen cookbook .