Either I did something wrong or these cookies are intrinsically average...

I was promised a rich, dense, crispy on the outside, fudge-y on the inside cookie, but that is most definitely not what I got. Instead, I got a light brown cookie that was a bit too dry and a bit, dare I say it, flavorless. What went wrong? My cookies… Read more »

Short and Sweet: Oatmeal cookies with craisins and chocolate chips

One of my favorite ingredients to sneak into cookies is dried fruit. When incorporated well with the other components of the recipe, I think it adds a little something unique to the taste as well as the texture. I developed these particular oatmeal cookies as a twist on the original… Read more »

Epic Fail: Sarah (not Sandra) Bernhardt Cookies

Martha Stewart, domestic empress and ex-con, has a lovely book devoted entirely to cookies, which, as you know by now, I love. The 175 recipes in the book are conveniently categorized into seven sections, whose titles are descriptive but, oddly enough, sometimes read like personality characteristics: light and delicate; soft… Read more »

Mini shortbread cookies with vanilla buttercream frosting

Shortbread cookies are an old favorite of mine—absolutely perfect in their slightly sweet, buttery simplicity and made even more so with the addition of a light vanilla buttercream frosting. These shortbread cookies have an almost biscuit-like texture, which is why I decided to top them off with the whipped frosting.I… Read more »

Giada De Laurentiis' lemon cookie cakes with lemon frosting

Personally, I think Giada De Laurentiis is just divine. I love her Food Network shows, and I love the surprising dishes and treats she comes up with—so I decided all this was reason enough to finally try out one of her recipes. I chose this recipe for lemon cookie cakes… Read more »

More healthy baking strategies: Banana-oatmeal granola bites

I think I’m hooked on the idea of healthy cookies. I loved last week’s vegan carrot-oatmeal cookies, so this past weekend, I tried out another healthy cookie recipe from Heidi Swanson. This one is a lot heavier on the oatmeal, so it seems more like a granola masterpiece to me… Read more »

Easter brunch: An occasion fit for delectable desserts

Aerial views of Milwaukee from the rooftop deck of The NewportI’m headed home to Milwaukee this weekend for the annual Easter brunch with my family, and I’ve used this occasion as an excuse to take a brief break from the healthy initiatives in favor of showcasing my renditions of a… Read more »

Something new and a bit strange: Vegan carrot-oatmeal cookies

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I’ve designated April as the month for cleaning up my eating habits—for eating well-rounded, home-made meals, lots of fresh produce, and perhaps a few sweet, but not overly indulgent, treats. As usual, I place the emphasis on the “treats” part, but I consider… Read more »

Best Peanut Butter Cookies

I adore peanut butter cookies. I have made no less than 10 different variations on the classic peanut butter cookie, but none of my innovations can beat the classic Demet family recipe for peanut butter kisses. If you’ve never tried your hand at baking before, these are the cookies for… Read more »