“Jennifer sampled this simple and scrumptious cookie at a Christmas party. She was so delighted by it that the hostess gave her the recipe, which came from her grandmother.”
Excerpt From: Jennifer Appel. “The Complete Magnolia Bakery Cookbook.” iBooks. https://itun.es/us/idq2G.l
I baked these cookies a few weeks ago. These are one of a number of recipes in the Magnolia Cookbook that are most commonly baked at Christmas time. I couldn’t wait for Christmas and am glad I didn’t. The cookies are easy to make and loved by everyone.
RECIPE
Look at these ingredients! It’s one of the shortest ingredient lists of any recipe in the cookbook.
“1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup finely ground almonds
21/4 cups all-purpose flour
Confectioners’ sugar for sprinkling”
Excerpt From: Jennifer Appel. “The Complete Magnolia Bakery Cookbook.” iBooks. https://itun.es/us/idq2G.l
The batter comes together quickly and easily in a stand mixer. It probably would not be a bad idea to let the dough stiffen a little in the fridge before shaping, but Magnolia doesn’t call for that. As you can see below, my crescent moon cookies are not all uniform and lovely. It’s done by rolling a small ball of dough between your two hands, then laying it down in a crescent shape. It takes some practice, but it’s really quite fun.
TRUE BISCUITS / BISCOTTI / COOKIES
I was afraid of overcooking these little lunar gems, so I undercooked them a bit. My son did a taste test and said they tasted like uncooked cookie dough. OK. I was wounded a bit, but, instead of taking it personally, I did what you’re supposed to do with honest feedback – I acted on it. I put the cookies back in the oven for a few more minutes. (Some for a few too many more minutes.) This, of course, made true “biscuits” (French for cookie) of them, or as the Italians and Starbucks clients would say, “biscotti.”
Anyhooo, after baking once or twice, you let them cool completely (!!) then roll them in confectioner’s sugar. Yes, roll them, DON’T sprinkle them.
The perfect pick-me-up if you’re low on energy. Two small “hits”.
Hit me!
HAVE A SWEET DAY.
Le Four de Sainte Anne à Chez Bonneau 