First Day of My Cookie/Candy Marathon: Chilled Doughs ๐ช๐ฌ
Overview:
Welcome to the kickoff of my epic cookie and candy marathon! This is the day where we lay the foundation for all the delicious treats that will grace our tables and gift boxes in the days to come. We’re diving into preparing chilled doughs that will form the basis for some classic favorites and perhaps a few delightful surprises. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let’s get started on this sweet journey!
Timing:
- Preparation Time: 2 hours
- Cooking Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours
Ingredients:
Here’s what you’ll need to gather from your pantry and fridge:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sugar | 2 cups |
| Eggs | 1/2 dozen |
| Vanilla Extract | 4 tsp |
| All-Purpose Flour | 4 cups |
| Baking Powder | 2 tsp |
| Salt | 2 tsp |
| Powdered Sugar | 2 cups |
| Butter | 1/2 cup |
| Margarine | 1/2 cup |
| Oatmeal | 1 cup |
| Cream Cheese | 8 oz |
| Cold Water | 1/4 cup |
| Pecans | 2 cups |
| Light Brown Sugar | 2 cups |
Note: Some ingredients may be used in multiple recipes.
Recipes:
-
Chocolate Snowflake Cookies:
- Combine sugar, oil, and melted chocolate, beating until blended.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the creamed mixture.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Shape into 1-inch balls, roll in powdered sugar, and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 350ยฐF for 10-12 minutes.
-
Cream Cheese Frills:
- Cream together butter and vanilla.
- Mix in flour, salt, and oats until well combined.
- Add cream cheese and blend until smooth.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Roll out the dough, cut into circles, add apricot preserves, fold, and seal.
- Bake at 425ยฐF for 10 to 12 minutes.
-
Crescents:
- Cream butter and gradually add powdered sugar.
- Mix in flour, water, vanilla, and chopped pecans.
- Chill the dough for at least 2 hours.
- Shape into crescents and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 325ยฐF for 17 to 18 minutes.
-
Pecan Tassies:
- Combine flour, cream cheese, and butter, cutting them into the flour.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Press the dough into miniature tart pans.
- For the filling, combine light brown sugar, chopped pecans, eggs, butter, vanilla, and salt.
- Fill the tart shells and bake at 350ยฐF for 20 minutes.
Tips and Tricks:
- Chill for Success: Don’t skip the chilling step! It helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and resulting in better-shaped cookies.
- Get Creative: Feel free to experiment with different fillings and toppings to customize these recipes to your liking.
- Storage Solutions: Once baked, store your cookies and candies in airtight containers to keep them fresh for longer.
- Share the Love: Package up a variety of treats in gift boxes to spread joy to your friends and family. Don’t forget to save some for yourself too!
Conclusion:
Congratulations on completing the first leg of your cookie/candy marathon! With these chilled doughs prepped and ready to go, you’re well on your way to creating a delicious assortment of homemade goodies that will delight everyone lucky enough to taste them. Stay tuned for the next steps in our culinary adventure as we tackle the no-bake items on day two!
