Currant Scones

Afternoon tea is one of the best British traditions I can think of.  I went recently with my friend Marina and it was so much fun.  I can't think of a better way to spend a few hours than drinking tea, nibbling on dainty treats, gossiping and people watching!

Cucumber sandwiches and petits fours are great but the main attraction for me is always the currant scones.  Slathered with a generous dollop of clotted cream and berry jam - absolute bliss!   I struck culinary gold when I was able to get my hands on some fresh clotted cream so of course I had to make these scones.   Mmmm...just like in England.

Monogram Wedding Cookie Favors

One of the best things about being a baker are the gifts that I can make for family and friends, especially for the milestone moments in their lives.   What better way to show you care than with something homemade? 

My gift to Anne Marie and Henning for their wedding today are these cookie favors.  I really love how they turned out.  The monogram on the cookie coordinates so beautifully with the invitation, don't you think?  The betrothed couple had a few options for the cookie shape and I'm so happy they chose a hexagon - definitely atypical, but very elegant.

These cookies will look fantastic at each place setting and I hope the happy couple and their guests enjoy them as much as I had fun making them!

Palmiers

I love it when something you think is so complicated to make turns out to be super easy.    You can impress your family and friends and they won't be none the wiser!

These palmiers (aka "elephant ears") are the perfect example.  It just takes two ingredients, puff pastry and sugar, to become crispy, buttery and deliciously caramelized cookies.   Granted, you can definitely go high-end by making the puff pastry from scratch but the point is to make your life easy! 

 

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut butter was one of my favorite foods as a kid and I still love it today as an adult.  There's nothing better for breakfast than some creamy peanut butter smeared on a warm, toasted English muffin.  It's one of my favorite ways to start the day.     

Although chocolate chip is probably the most popular cookie in America, for me it takes a backseat to peanut butter.  This Cook's Illustrated recipe makes the moistest and peanut-iest cookies that I've ever tasted.   It's got a double dose of peanuts from extra chunky peanut butter as well as dry roasted salted peanuts.   Try these...you won't regret it!