Category: In The Kitchen

Eats. Treats. Sweets. Drinks. Y’all! Food is my kryptonite.

Baked Goods, In The Kitchen

Thumbprint Cookies

RaeAnna

I love baking. In my family, like many others, recipes become part of the landscape of our lives. The recipes are handed down through generations.

Thumbprint cookies are some of my favorite cookies, and they come straight from my Great Grandmother’s recipe box. Although, she never baked them for me, my mom always did. I had never baked them myself until last year because they were always her specialty, and I was teensy bit scared I would ruin them. They’re amazing throughout the year, but I grew up with them during the Christmas season. They melt in your mouth with a nutty outside. Not too sweet, you can eat dozens of them if you’re not careful! I absolutely adore them with a cup of black tea and a book. The perfect afternoon snack.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup Butter
  • ½ cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 Eggs Yolks
  • 2 Egg Whites Beaten
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
  • 2 cups Flour
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • Chopped Nuts (I prefer pecans or walnuts)
  • Favorite Jam or Frosting

 

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350॰ F. Ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Mix together butter, sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla. Add flour and salt. Blend well.
  • Roll dough into balls. Dip the balls in egg whites then roll in chopped nuts. I rolled them in pecans this time. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet at least an inch and a half a part.
  • Bake for five minutes. Take out and press thumb into the middle of the cookie to create a shallow bowl. Put back in oven and bake for eight more minutes.
  • Pull cookies out of the oven when golden brown and firm to the touch.
  • Cool completely
  • Fill the thumbprint with your favorite jam or frosting or leave unfilled! My favorites are blackberry jam, buttercream frosting, or pastry cream. They’re so delicious!
 
 

 

Drinks, In The Kitchen

Hot Cocoa

RaeAnna

Christmas has come and gone, but winter will still be here for awhile. I am a firm believer reading should be accompanied by a warm drink. I am usually found with a cup of tea in my hand. Sometimes coffee. In the winter, always hot cocoa. I grew up with hot cocoa being a special winter drink enjoyed from Thanksgiving until the snow cleared. I grew up sipping my mom’s recipe.

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Over the years, I have honed my own recipe, which has become beloved by friends. It’s rich and chocolaty because that’s exactly what cocoa should be.

Ingredients
  • Milk
  • Chocolate (Preferably semi-sweet baker’s chocolate, but chocolate chips will do)
  • Sugar
  • Marshmallows

Screenshot_20180521-181849_Photos.jpgInstructions

  1. Grab your favorite mug. Fill it with milk.
  2. In a medium pan put three ounces (or more if you like it chocolaty) of your favorite chocolate and a tablespoon of sugar with a quarter of the milk from your mug. Over medium heat using a whisk melt the sugar and chocolate until the mixture is thick.
  3. Pour the rest of the milk from the mug into the pan. Continue stirring continuously until boiling
  4. Pour the hot chocolate into the mug, add marshmallows and enjoy!!!

I love hot chocolate plain, but over the years, I have come up with fun variations to add a little something extra to it. Here are some of my favorites.

Peppermint Cocoa

  • Take a candy cane and crush it up. Add half of the crushed candy cane to the pan with the milk. Once the cocoa is in the cup, sprinkle the candy cane pieces over the marshmallows for a pretty look.

Espresso Cocoa

  • Add a shot of espresso to the pan with the milk. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use a tablespoon of instant espresso/coffee at the beginning to melt with the chocolate and sugar. It will add caffeine and extra yumminess for the coffee lovers. A great way to start the day at the office!

Boozy Cocoa

  • After the cocoa is made and in the mug, add a shot to your cocoa. You don’t want to put the alcohol in the pan while it’s cooking because you’ll boil away the alcohol. It’s a fun addition to a cozy girls’ night, romantic evening, ski trip, or any number of fun activities.

Best Boozes:

  • Peppermint Schnapps
  • Kahlua
  • Vanilla Vodka
  • Spiced Rum
  • Whipped Cream Vodka
  • Bailey’s