please, untitled document was my father, call me untitled document (1)
“[...] a combination of shortbread and jam thumbprint cookies, made all the more interesting by the addition of tea - something different for a cookie exchange, or package them with a fancy cup and extra tea as a gift.” - ~mystery book~, p. 227
Sugar cookies are a staple of the holiday season. Whether decorated with frosting, cut into festive shapes, or sprinkled with powdered sugar, they are the go-to cookie for gifting!
When I first decided to try this version of sugar cookie, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But, I figured I’d give them a shot since it uses my favourite tea. In the end? Best. Decision. EVER! I’ve made them for myself and friends in past holiday seasons and I constantly get asked for the recipe and/or when I’ll be making more (the answer is always December, guys).
Like the Soul Cakes marking the overlap of four different holidays at the end of October, these cookies offer a twist on the traditional treats served this time of year.
Consider baking them with the Cranberry Banana Muffins to really spice up the holiday season!
EDIT: Now with extra tips!
(This recipe is an adaptation from a cookbook my grandmother has tucked away. However, I don’t have the title of the book and I can’t find her copy anymore so it’s of ~mystery origin~.)
Prep: 5 mins Cook: 45 mins Total: 50 mins
Ingredients*:
1 cup (227 g) butter, softened
⅔ cup (138 g) granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. (5 mL) vanilla extractñ
2 ½ cups (313 g) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. (6 g) Earl Grey tea leaves
¼ tsp. (0.5 g) kosher salt
½ cup (320 g) apricot jam or marmalade**
*Makes enough for about 3 dozen cookies.
** Be careful when selecting your brand of jam (both for these cookies and in general). Ingredients on labels are listed from greatest amount to least - so try to pick one that has apricots as the first ingredient instead of sugar!
First, preheat the oven to convection bake at 325℉ (160℃) [or 350℉ (177℃) if using a conventional oven].
Then, in a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light (top-left).
Beat in the egg and vanilla (top-right).
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, tea, and salt.
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir until just combined.
Roll the cookies into 1 tbsp. (about 1-inch or 2.5 cm) balls and place them on two large, parchment-lined baking sheets.
TIP: To get all of the cookies a uniform size, I level off a 1 tbsp. measuring spoon with dough, then roll them.
Dip the end of a wooden spoon about ⅜ th of an inch (1 cm) in diameter into flour and make indentations in the center of each cookie.
Fill each indentation with a generous ¼ tsp. of jam or marmalade.
Convection bake in the oven for 16 - 18 minutes [or the same amount of time, rotating the pan halfway through, if using a conventional oven], or until they start to turn a light golden.
Remove from oven and let cool on wire racks.
Overall, I would give these cookies a 5/5. The mild sweetness from the earl grey mixed with the sweetness of the jam produces such a unique flavour without being overwhelming. Not to mention that snacking on them creates this holiday/Christmas-y vibe that’s hard to describe.
As mentioned in the intro, I’ve made these for my friends in the past and they’re a massive hit. Because they look so different from traditional holiday sugar cookies but fit so well with the season, they become a really unique treat to give to friends and family!
Trick or Treat :D
go ahead, take a handful! 😊
So here it is. It's beautifully made.
A few highlights...
There's also a final chapter called "The Worst of the Worst." What's not to love. :)
none pizza with left beef became 10 years old a few days ago...
Sorry no it hasn't
No new post this week either - taking a bit of an extended vacation!
No new recipe post this week, but here’s a cute screenshot from my Stardew Valley farm to make up for it!
See you next Sunday!!
Canadian Cooking Gremlin™ | Cooking through Heroes' Feast and other stuff | Sideblog of @Letuce369
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