GF Cookie Production

Not even 4 hours of shoveling could dampen my enthusiasm for baking Christmas cookies.  (Did'ya notice a few are missing?)  Despite a lot of wind and snow, the storm moved through and was followed by bright blue skies and dry conditions.  In our household, that can only mean one thing:  Its time to make the pink cookies (aka Raspberry Meringue Kisses)! 

Meringues turn out best when made on a sunny day.  For the recipe see: http://quilt-talk.blogspot.com/2009/12/raspberry-meringue-kisses.html

In addition, I tried a GF butter cookie recipe from Land O Lakes.  Seriously - these  could easily replace my regular recipe.   The search for the perfect GF sugar cookie is over.  Thank you, Land O Lakes!  See: http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/2217/best-ever-butter-cookies

These cookies are a little putzy, but worth the extra effort.  You make the batter, and then divide it into thirds, which you shape into thick sheets, to be wrapped in plastic film.  Chill these bundles.  Later, you roll them out, only taking one out of the frig at a time.    Unlike other recipes and mixes I've tried, this product handled and baked up just as the recipe indicated.  AND it tastes good too!

Land O Lakes also has a spritz cookie recipe I want to try, and more importantly, both a sandwich bread and multi-grain bread.  Still trying to find the "perfect" loaf.  :)

Snow Days and Rolling Pins

If it weren't for an occasional snow day, I wouldn't get much Christmas baking done.  But Mother Nature has done her part - dumping 16" of snow on us, with a couple more inches coming.  Blizzard conditions til midnight.  BRRRR!

Got up and made sugar cookies before the dough-stealing, cookie-thieving kids got up.  Good thing they still can't figure out where I hide the cookies!

Rolled cookies can be tricky as inconsistent thickness leads to varying baking times and inconsistent results.  I use the yellow 1/8 inch rolling pin bands for my sugar cookies.  They bake exactly 8 minutes, and they all turn out the same. 

Last year, a neighbor asked to borrow my rolling pin and was shocked to learn it should not go in the dishwasher.  I've attached a site with info on how to care for wooden rolling pins. 

http://housewares.about.com/od/kitchenwareaccessories/f/woodenpincare.htm

They say you can wash it in the dish sink...but I was taught to NEVER submerse it in water.  I prefer fresh hot soapy water and a well-wrung wash cloth.  My rolling pin has been rolling along that way for about 30 years.