Baking Is My Sanity

Hello, dear ones!  How are you, today?
I'll like to start by stating my heart goes out to all of those who are suffering the consequence of hurricane Sandy.  Last night I was thinking of all those whose are not sleeping in their own beds, do not have heat to keep them warm, or warm up their children's milk.  I hope all who were affected get back to normal very soon.
Here in Miami we are threatened by hurricanes all the time, so most of us are prepared and insured.  I lived in New Jersey so many years and never experienced anything of that nature.

Lately, I've been baking lots.  You might ask, what does she do with all those goodies?  Well, I share with neighbors, family,  friends, and the community.  There is lots of traffic in my house with my kids,  grandchildren,  also my husband has a very sweet tooth and never gains a pound, GRRRRR.
Today I share the recipe for these Maple Cookies, which are delicious and out of the ordinary.  I do not have a maple leaf cutter, which would have been perfect, but oh well.  I'll also share some of my latest baking and provide the recipes later on.  Have a good day and thank you so much for visiting my site.


                                                      Maple Cookies

These are some of the baked goods I've baked lately
                                            Baby boy baby shower cupcake

Fantastic, divine, delicious strawberry oatmeal bars (recipe coming soon)

                                                 Baby girl baby shower cupcake

                                          Three duckies baby shower cupcake

Scrumptious apple crumb pie, which I used my maple cookie to decorate (recipe coming soon)

This is the most amazing banana cake I've ever tasted, seriously. (recipe coming soon)

                                                   Practicing my giraffe cookies

These cupcakes were made for a Girl Scouts fund raiser.  My granddaughter, Katie is a girl scout.

All these goodies and this is what I TRY TO EAT!  Kidding aside, this grilled peach salad is delicious! (recipe coming soon)

And finally this is the recipe for maple cookies.

Ingredients:      

4 cups flour

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

Note:  My leaf cutter is 3 1/2  inches, this recipe provided approx. 2 dozen cookies ( forgot to count exact amount) :-(

In bowl of electric mixer, mix all ingredients until well blended, scraping bowl with rubber spatula to make sure all is well incorporated.
Place dough in large plastic bag or cover with saran wrap.  Place in freezer for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line cookie sheets with parchment or wax paper.
Roll out 1/3 of dough on floured surface and place remaining dough in refrigerator.
Roll out cookies to about 1/8 inch thick and cut with leaf cutter.  You can cut light veins with knife if desire.  (I forgot to do veins)  Place on cookie sheets 1 inch apart.  Repeat with remaining dough.  These leaves grow, as you can observe in my image.
Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.  Place on wire rack to cool.  Store in plastic container.

Enjoy with tea or milk



By the way, this is my new reading nook.  You like it?