Desserts and Drinks

Tips and tricks for cutting out cookies

Baking is a holiday tradition in many households. The aroma of freshly baked cakes, pies and cookies wafts through the air of many homes this time of year, and that makes the holiday season even more special.

Cookies are a tradition passed down through the ages. In medieval Europe, small, spiced cookies were exchanged as treats, and people still bake and share gingerbread cookies today.

Cut cookies are some of the most popular cookies to make during the holiday season. Some families may have their share of favorite cookie cutter shapes and dough recipes. Certain techniques can make holiday baking sessions easier and ensure consistent results. • Work on a lightly floured, cool surface, such as a cutting board or stone counter top. Never work on a warm surface, which can cause dough to spread and stick. • Roll out the dough between two sheets of baking or parchment paper. Betty Crocker recommends a thickness of about 1Ú8 inch, unless noted in the recipe. This prevents the dough from sticking, and parchment enables you to easily transfer rolled-out dough to a refrigerator or elsewhere. • When rolling out dough, portion it out into a few smaller amounts to roll out more easily. This will also help it to chill more readily. • Cookies cut most easily when the dough is chilled. Refrigerate the dough for as long as possible, ideally an hour or more Ñ even overnight. The more chilled, the firmer the dough will be. • Rubber rolling pin rings that slip onto each side of the rolling pin can help ensure that the dough is being rolled out to a uniform thickness. • Dip cookie cutters into flour with each cut. Work from the center and move out to the edges when cutting out your designs. Try to maximize space and avoid scraps and rerolling. • Some expert bakers say that metal cookie cutters cut cleaner than plastic ones. Whichever cutter you use, cut the cookie by pressing straight down; try not to twist or jiggle the cookie cutter when using it. Doughs with a high butter content can help, as the extra grease helps separate the dough from the cutters. • If cut cookies have gotten warmer, place them in the freezer for a few minutes to firm up again and then cook. This will guarantee the cookies will not spread or distort while baking.

Extra steps may seem like they will take a lot of time. However, the extra effort and attention to detail will help produce cookies that win rave reviews.

Crustless pie a treat for those with gluten intolerance

The holiday season is a popular time to entertain. Food is often a focal point of holiday season entertaining.

Individuals who navigate food allergies or intolerances may shy away from certain celebrations out of fear that a nibble of this or a bite of that may trigger an allergic response. In such instances, concern about ingredients can cast a pall over normally festive occasions.

Those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerances must be mindful of the foods they consume. Meals or desserts containing gluten, a protein found in grains like wheat, semolina, rye, barley, graham, spelt, farina, and more, can trigger intestinal distress and other symptoms. With delicious pies, cakes and cookies on the holiday serving table, gluten is likely to make an appearance. However, with careful planning, people who cannot stomach foods that contain gluten can still indulge in their favorite holiday flavors.

“Crustless Libby’s™ Famous Pumpkin Pie” is a variation on traditional pumpkin pie served at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Without the crust, individuals who avoid gluten can still dive into that pumpkin-and-spice combination that’s so popular around the holiday season. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of Libby’s™ Pumpkin.

CRUSTLESS LIBBY’S

FAMOUS PUMPKIN PIE

Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves • 2 large eggs • 1 can (15 ounces) Libby’s™ 100% Pure Pumpkin • 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestle™ Carnation Evaporated • Milk • Nonstick cooking spray • Whipped cream (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven as directed below. Glass baking dishes without crust require a cooler oven, and in most cases, a longer baking time. 2. Spray baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or lightly grease bottom of baking pan or baking dish. 3. Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in a small bowl. Beat eggs in a large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. 4. Bake as directed below or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean. 5. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

COOKING TIMES

9-inch-round glass pie dish: 325 F; bake for 55 to 60 minutes 10-inch-round glass pie dish: 325 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes 8-inch-round cake pan: 350 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes 9-inch-round cake pan: 350 F; bake for 35 to 40 minutes 8-inch-square baking pan: 350 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes 8-inch-square glass baking dish: 325 F; 50 to 60 minutes 9-inch-square baking dish: 350 F; bake for 35 to 40 minutes 11x7-inch glass baking dish: 325 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes 13x9-inch baking pan: 350 F; bake for 35 to 40 minutes 13x9-inch glass baking dish: 325 F; bake for 40 to 45 minutes

Warm and wow guests with homemade hot mulled apple cider

When hosting friends and family at home, it’s understandable that hosts direct so much of their focus to the foods they plan to serve. Th e main course is often the focal point and most memorable aspect of a dinner party, and that’s true whether the get-together is a backyard barbecue, a holiday meal with the family or a formal aff air with colleagues.

Food might be a focal point, but guests also will need something to drink. Traditional spirits like wine and cocktails are the standard, but hosts who want to get a little creative should not hesitate to do so. When choosing a special beverage, timing is everything. Guests wil want to cool down on warm summer evenings, so something cold and refreshing can make for the perfect signature cocktail. When hosting on nights when the mercury has dropped, a warm beverage can heat up guests in a matter of minutes. On such nights, hosts can serve this version of Hot Mulled (Sherried) Apple Cider courtesy of Laurey Masterton’s - Th e Fresh Honey Cookbook (Storey). One added benefi t to Masterton’s recipe is it can produce a welcoming winter aroma, helping hosts establish a warm ambiance for the festivities.

HOT MULLED (SHERRIED) APPLE CIDER

Serves 16

INGREDIENTS

1 gallon apple cider 1 orange, unpeeled, cut into slices 1/4 cup whole cloves 4 sticks cinnamon 1/4 cup honey, preferably cranberry honey 1 cup sherry (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine the cider, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon, and honey in a large pot over medium heat. If you are picky about things fl oating in your cider, make a little bundle out of cheesecloth and place the cinnamon and cloves inside before adding to the cider. I like to chew on cloves, so I just toss everything in. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer over low heat for an hour or so to spread these lovely winter aromas around your home. 2. If you’re serving it to adults, add the sherry. It might make everyone want to go sledding!

Snowball

Submitted by The Mule Cocktail Bar

• 2oz Hynotiq liqueur • .75 oz vodka • .75 oz RumChata • .25 oz simple syrup • .5 oz egg white

Combine all ingredients in shaker, shake vigorously with ice. Rim glass with white crystal sprinkles or sugar. Strain into a coupe/ martini glass. Enjoy!

Cranberry Bliss Bars

INGREDIENTS

• ½ c granulated sugar • ½ c packed brown sugar • ½ c creamy peanut butter • ½ c butter, softened • 1 egg • 1 ½ c all purpose fl our • ¾ tsp baking soda • ½ tsp baking powder • 1 or 2 packages of Hershey’s Kisses (you can really use any fl avor of them)

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 375. In large bowl, beat ½ c granulated sugar, the brown sugar, peanut butter, butter and egg with mixer on medium speed until well blended. Stir in fl our, baking soda and baking powder until dough forms.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in additional granulated sugar if desired. On ungreased cookie sheets, place about 2 inches apart.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Once out of the oven, immediately press 1 Hershey’s Kiss in the center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

Kiss Thumprint Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• ½ c granulated sugar • ½ c packed brown sugar • ½ c creamy peanut butter • ½ c butter, softened • 1 egg • 1 ½ c all purpose fl our • ¾ tsp baking soda • ½ tsp baking powder • 1 or 2 packages of Hershey’s Kisses (you can really use any fl avor of them)

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 375. In large bowl, beat ½ c granulated sugar, the brown sugar, peanut butter, butter and egg with mixer on medium speed until well blended. Stir in fl our, baking soda and baking powder until dough forms.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in additional granulated sugar if desired. On ungreased cookie sheets, place about 2 inches apart.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Once out of the oven, immediately press 1 Hershey’s Kiss in the center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

Toy buying tips when shopping for kids

Shopping for gifts for kids makes many shoppers nostalgic for their own childhoods. Few adults can forget the joy of finding the perfect gift under the tree on Christmas morning. Recreating that magic for a youngster can be as joyous for gift givers as it is for kids. That’s especially so when shoppers make it a point to give safe, age-appropriate gifts.

Whether shopping for their own children or their grandkids, nieces or nephews, shoppers can keep these tips in mind to ensure they give toys that are as safe as they are fun. n Speak to Mom and Dad first. When buying for a grandchild, niece or nephew, shoppers should first ask Mom or Dad for suggestions. Parents will know which types of toys their children like, and theyÕll also know the child’s level of maturity. Some kids may not be mature enough to play with otherwise age-appropriate toys, while others may be mature beyond their years and enjoy more complex toys than their age would suggest. Parents will know what makes a good toy and what doesn’t. n Learn what to look for on labels. Toy labels are great sources of information, but shoppers must know what to look for. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that toy labels include information about age-appropriateness (i.e., “Ages 3 & Up”) as well as directions regarding how to use the toy. If the instructions seem a bit complex for the child the item will be for, look for something else. Children’s toy labels also include additional information that consumers may not be familiar with. For example, toys labeled “ASTM F963” meet the latest safety standards from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. An “ASTM D4236” label indicates the materials associated with the art toy have been reviewed and deemed safe by a toxicologist. More information about toy label requirements can be found at cpsc.gov. The AAP advises that electric toys should only be given to kids if they include the UL label. That means the toy has been certified by the global safety certification company UL, LLC. n Avoid certain features. The AAP notes that toys that are loud, shoot objects into the air or contain small pieces pose a threat to children. Especially loud toys can damage children’s hearing, while projectiles can increase the risk of eye injuries or choking. Toys with small pieces also pose a choking risk to young children who may try to put the pieces into their mouths. n Err on the side of caution. Consumers who are uncertain about the safety of a given toy, even after reading its label, should err on the side of caution and only give toys they’re confident won’t pose a safety risk. Even toys that may seem safe could be dangerous to kids who might otherwise seem old enough. For example, the AAP advises against giving kids under 12 hobby kits and chemistry sets. That’s because such kits may contain dangerous chemicals that even pre-adolescents are not old enough to handle safely.

Shoppers must consider a host of factors when looking for safe toys for kids this holiday season.

(ENTER THE ALLEY OFF 3RD ST.)

HappyHolidaysfromyourlocallender.

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