Category ... Cookie

Happy New Years Cookie Present

Jan 01, 2013 | From the kitchen of Rose in Cookie

If you would like my recipe for Mexican Wedding Cakes, first published in Rose's Christmas Cookies, it is featured on page 26 of this stunning on line magazine. I just love how they styled and photographed it:

Hope this starts off your New Year's in a sweet and happy way.

Buttercrunch Toffee

Dec 21, 2011 | From the kitchen of Rose in Web Appearances

photo credit: Sheila Phalon

My dearest friend Nancy Weber has written a most entertaining and educational article on her visit to me several months ago when I was testing buttercrunch toffee for the new book.

When I learned that Betty Fussell, who also lives in the neighborhood, and is a highly esteemed author and friend, is also a friend of Nancy's, I invited her over to watch the process and taste the results.

Several of you have posted questions about toffee so this is a first rate opportunity to review the key steps. Enjoy! NYCityWoman.com

Cookie Recipes

Nov 10, 2007 | From the kitchen of Rose in Cookie

My dear friend and high school classmate June Lebell (those of you in the NY area might know her beautiful voice as former long-time hostess on WQXR) forwarded me this amazing collection of cookies I thought you'd all enjoy. (By the way, June is now living in Sarasota and busy as ever doing restaurant, music and theater reviews, speaking engagements, etc.)

Macaroons

Feb 22, 2006 | From the kitchen of Rose in Questions and Answers

ZACHARY QUESTION

Do you have any experience with Parisian-style macarons? I've been a huge fan of these for years, always visiting Laduree and Stohrer when I'm in Paris. It's been my "life's dream" (in the realm of my baking anyway) to make the macarons as close to French patisserie quality as possible; I've been working on them lately and have had mediocre success. Main problems: many crack and split open while baking. I've tried the approach of letting them sit out for a few minutes before baking and baking immediately and nothing seems to guarantee consistency. I've contacted Laduree (they have a book now, in French!) to ask if I can visit their kitchen, but they didn't like that idea. Do you know of any secrets to these and getting them as tender and as close as possible to the real things?

Thanks! Zach

ROSE REPLY

Macaroons are very difficult to make at home. but I can give you one tip othat was given to me by a Swiss chef: after piping them, let them sit uncovered overnight before baking them. This helps to keep them from cracking, resulting in smooth tops. as Dorie Greenspan says in her delightful book Paris Sweets, each Parisian has his or her favorite place for macaroons. for this New Yorker its Laduree, but then, I have yet to do a thorough tasting investigation.

Cookies without Eggs

Feb 07, 2006 | From the kitchen of Rose in Cookie Questions

PARITA QUESTION

Feedback: hi rose,
i would like to know that if i can bake cookies without using eggs??? if u have few recipes for cookies without using eggs i would love to try them out.
thanx.

ROSE REPLY

I don't know of the cake that can be made without eggs but many wonderful cookies can be made without them!

Variations to Shortbread

Jan 06, 2006 | From the kitchen of Rose in Ingredients

ANNA QUESTION

I have all of your books and am a huge fan. Your teaching style appeals to me, as I am a university math instructor. One of my favorite recipes is your Shortbread. It needs no improving, but I sometimes would like a little chocolate or nuts with them. Have you ever tried putting mini chocolate chips in the dough or finely chopped pecans?

ROSE REPLY

thank you! I haven't tried putting mini chocolate chips in the dough -- -- as you know, it's a very fragile dough. But I have frosted it with a thin layer of ganache, or tempered chocolate. I haven't tried adding finely chopped pecans but I'm quite sure that would work perfectly. also, the nuts and the chocolate would be terrific together!

Dry Cookies

Dec 22, 2005 | From the kitchen of Rose in Cookie Questions

BARBARA QUESTION

Feedback: i HAVE A COOKIE THAT BECOMES QQUITE DRY AFTERBAKING AND i WONDERED IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO PREVENT THIS/

ROSE REPLY

cookies usually become dry due to overbaking as they continue baking after removal from the oven. better to underbake as you can always return them to the oven but you can't UNbake! bake the cookies until starting to brown at the edges and set but still soft when pressed in the center. leave them on the cookie sheets just until they are firm enough to remove and then transfer them to racks.
a few spoonfulls of molasses, honey, or corn syrup will also help to keep cookies soft.

Beranbaum Family Fudge

Dec 19, 2005 | From the kitchen of Rose in Happenings

my stepson michael and his wife frances had the good judgment to space their kids a few years and 6 months apart which makes it just perfect for a biannual visit to snohomish washington for each of their birthdays. elyse, who is just turning 6, was born right before christmas, and haley, who will be turning 10 was born in june. this also gives us the chance to experience two different seasons along with seasonal activities in such a beautiful location.

this years’ christmas visit started off with a request from the kids to make cookies. haley wanted her favorite: chocolate chips without nuts, And elyse wanted to try a chocolate fudge recipe that was in one of her books called “strawberry shortcake.” since it was meant for kids to make, i figured it would be quick and easy but when i discovered that we were 1/4 cup short of sweetened condensed milk, i decided to add 2 tablespoons of butter instead. frances told me they all preferred bittersweet chocolate so instead of using 1 cup of semi-sweet chips and 1 cup of milk chips called for in the recipe we used 2 cups of bittersweet chocolate chips.

we decided to start off with the chocolate chip cookie batter as it’s easier to shape after chilling so while it was chilling we could whip up the fudge.

it was great fun for all of us. the kids donned their aprons, chefs hats and potholders i had sent them 2 years ago, got up on their step stools, and were most adept at exchanging turns for every step of the process.

i wasn’t expecting to like the fudge because i’ve always found it to be too sweet and grainy but i have to say this fudge recipe, in all its simplicity, was absolutely fabulous. we all loved it so much it will be sure to become part of a family tradition.

Butter an 8 x 8 inch pan and line it with a piece of waxed paper

In the top of a double boiler, combine 2 cups of chocolate chips, preferably bittersweet, a 12 ounce can (1-1/4 cups) sweetened condensed milk, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract.

Set it over simmering water and heat, stirring often, until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.

Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top so that it is even. Place it in the frig and allow it to chill and set for at least 2 hours.

cut the fudge into 1 inch squares and then keep it covered with plastic wrap.

Snappy Gingersnaps

Dec 13, 2005 | From the kitchen of Rose in Cookie Questions

Caitlin Question:
I'm having such trouble with gingersnaps and I hope you can help! My goal is a cookie that can last longer than one day while still being "snappy" and still tender to the bite. I can't seem to find the balance between chewy and tooth-breaking!

I've tried increasing baking powder, I've fussed with bake times, stored in sealed bags, I've thrown in desiccant to see what would happen, but still am unhappy with my results.

Rose Reply:
i've never actually made gingersnaps but in my book "rose's christmas cookies" i have both gingerbread for building gingerbread houses and gingerbread for gingerbread people! the difference is that in the people one i use egg, more butter and more brown sugar, all of which makes it more tender though still crisp. if you roll them thicker--say 1/4", they will be more soft, chewy and pudgy!

also be sure to underbake them slightly as on cooling they will firm up but still remain a little soft. these cookies keep for several months but of course become less soft with time.

Welcome to Real Baking with Rose, the personal blog of author Rose Levy Beranbaum.

Spend A Moment with Rose, in this video portrait by Ben Fink.

Heavenly Cake Bake Along

Hector's Take on Rose's Cakes

Happy New Years Cookie Present

Buttercrunch Toffee

Cookie Recipes

Macaroons

Cookies without Eggs

Variations to Shortbread

Dry Cookies

Beranbaum Family Fudge

Snappy Gingersnaps