022711 Pfeffernussen

These cookies were a snap to make! I used a cookie scooper instead of rolling the dough into 1.25" balls. The molasses flavor is very strong - you gotta like that ginger/molasses taste (personally, I'm not a big fan). The cookies come out very soft and the powder sugar adds a nice touch - though the cookie doesn't really need that additional sweetness. The recipe yielded exactly 3doz cookies - as predicted. Not sure if I'll make them again, just because I'm not a molasses fan.

022011 Apple-cherry Crumble Bars

These bars are so delicious! The cherries add just the right amount of tartness to the apples, and the cider puts that extra kick in that takes this recipe over the top!! Fun to make and the aroma from the cider fills the house! I will definitely make these again....the crust is not too sweet and the fruit filling stays put (not runny).

021311Raspberry Honey Financiers

This recipe was quite time consuming to assemble and, in the end, lots of dishes/pans/bowls to wash. Along with the food processor to finely grind the almonds (after they've been toasted, of course), the mixer with whisk attachment is needed. Additionally, a saucepan is needed to melt the butter and honey. The end result was just OK, and my red hearts didn't always turn out - often, the berry sunk into the dough. Not sure I'll revisit this recipe..

020911 Pistachio Lemon Drops

As the recipe claims, this cookie requires only 6 ingredients. My egg white must not have been adequate in volume because the dough did not come together - it remained crumbly...nutty crumbly. I was still able to scoop the dough onto the parchment paper but they did not flatten out in the oven. They did not resemble anything like the picture. Surprisingly, they tasted not too bad - couple guys at work really liked them! Good thing I didn't toss them out. Very strong in the pistachio flavor with a slight hint of lemon. Interesting cookie - the first one that really didn't look anything like the one in Martha's recipe book.

013011Sesame Cookies

Tons of sesame seeds in this recipe!! You gotta really like the sesame flavor.....it's also kind of like a shortbread cookie (with 3 sticks of butter what do you expect)! Simple tasting with a subtle crunch....not too exciting to the palette. The assembly is a bit time consuming - roll, flatten, egg, sprinkle and slightly press seeds into dough. And, I skipped the 15 minute freezer time once the cookies are on the parchment (honestly, I don't think my freezer can fit the baking sheet?). The cookies came out looking like the picture and yielded the predicted 6 dozen.