Day 34: WTH Paula Deen???!!!

It must be me right? Something is wrong with me. I mean, it can't always be Martha's fault, or in today's case Paula Deen's! Maybe I need to start actually watching these shows, before I try their recipes. Maybe there is some secret step you only learn about by watching the show.
Let's back up so I can explain my rage. In an earlier post I mentioned that I was not exactly sure what English Toffee was. But last night, at the Norris Middle School staff Holiday Get Together (they are teachers, I think they have to call it that), someone brought English Toffee. As soon as I popped one in my mouth I remembered what it was and that I loved it. Everyone makes it and everyone makes it good. Everyone that is except me.

As I read Paula's recipe for English Toffee I chuckled to myself a little as I used her thick southern accent while reading it to myself. Phrases like" butter a cookie sheet"-what size cookie sheet Paula? A jelly roll pan, maybe? "top with chocolate bars"-what kind of chocolate bars Paula? Hershey's, dark, semi-sweet, Butterfinger? Oh well, I followed her directions, temped the candy mixture but before it could even reach 300 degrees it became "sandy". Why??? Where did I go wrong ???Are you there Paula?? Help! The taste is there, but I don't think this is to be eaten with a spoon. Grrrrrr.......
This is however a good note for next year, I will stick with what I know. Lemon Bars are coming soon, can't wait!

Day 29: Jingle Bell Blossoms

Before I get to today's cookie...a disclaimer, a fraud report if you will.
In yesterday's blog I claimed to create a cookie I called "Pee Wee's". However a quick Google search of the elements in my cookies revealed at least 3 others almost exactly like them. Despite my false claim, I have decided to continue calling them Pee Wee's...so there!

Today's cookie I guess could be considered my own invention, I am just a little gun shy to use the "I-word" now. The inspiration came from those silly little Peanut Butter Blossoms. Why so silly you ask? Because they are such a simple cookie yet ridiculously good. Name one person that doesn't love them, I dare you. And yes, Ashleigh, I will make them.
Ever since the whole ketchup cookie debacle (Day 15), I have laid off the peanut butter cookie and am apparently opting for chocolate lately. For this recipe I used the chocolate dough from Rachael Ray's Double Chocolate Cookies with a Peppermint Surprise (Day 10). -Don't worry, no peppermint, (or ketchup), is used in making the chocolate dough.
Just roll the chilled dough into tablespoon sized balls, bake 8 minutes at 350. Remove them from the oven and press one Reese's Peanut Butter Jingle Bell candy into each cookie. Cool. Marvel.

****One last note: Please if you will, click on my advertisers below. You do not have to buy anything and they promise me the links are safe. Everytime someone clicks on the advertisement, I earn a few cents for Relay for Life.

Day 14: English Toffee Bars with Chocolate

You want to cut these before the chocolate sets but eat after the chocolate is firm

Did you know there is a website called Christmas-cookies.com?? Where I have been? They have 565 christmas cookie recipes!! To be fair, not all are cookies, some are candies and various treats. So that's where today's cookie comes from. I read this recipe four times before I decided to try it. And at first I think I only chose it out of spite. It is such a simple little recipe I could not fathom how this is supposed to be English Toffee. Then again, I'm not really sure what English Toffee is, so I decided to try them. The user comments all say the recipe is easy, however I didn't really like "Sweetshop" in New York who stated a "dodo couldn't mess these up". Really? Who is "Sweetshop in New York" to judge? Is that a challenge? And could "Sweetshop in New York" really be Martha Stewart?
Aaaaanway...I opted to not add the pecans and instead topped this with chocolate. In the last 5 minutes of baking just sprinkle a bag of chocolate chips over the top and return to the oven. When you remove the pan, spread the chips evenly over the pan with the back of a spoon. If you are adding the chocolate I think you can skip brushing the top with egg white. I didn't dare skip this step though as I did not want to be a "dodo". I also considered skipping the cinnamon and adding vanilla, but again, the damn dodo comment popped up and I thought best to stick to the original recipe as much as possible. In a moment of rebellion, I decided to bake these in an 11" tart pan instead of a 10"X15" pan! HA!