Holiday Petit Fours

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My husband is a truly wonderful man.  One of the kindest I’ve ever met, so I really hate to complain about him, but I’m going to do it anyway.  Aron has a habit of barreling through a doorway or narrow hallway without ever letting me through first, whether I’m coming from the opposite direction, or right by his side.  In his defense, I don’t thing he’s aware of this behavior.  In my defense, I am.  I’ve tried pointing it out a few times (first nicely and then not so nicely), but that hasn’t done the trick.  I’ve also tried being more assertive and just pushing him out of the way, but he’s stronger than me.  I’ve since resigned myself to the fact that this behavior will never change. Now when it happens I bow, grandly move my arm in the direction that he’s going, and exclaim, “M’lady!” as he walks past.  It cracks us both up, he gets to walk through first, and now I have something to write about in my post.  It’s a win-win. Hey look, I made Holiday Petit Fours! Continue reading →

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Neiman Marcus $250 Chocolate Chip Cookie

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I’ve made a few chocolate chip cookie recipes for Project Pastry Love.  All are wonderful recipes, and all are unique in their own way.  For instance, the Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie is smooth textured, with a slight caramel flavor. Tish Boyle’s Chocolate Chip Cookie is coarser textured with  nuttier undertones.  Ghiradelli’s Chocolate Chip Cookie is the quintessential chocolate chip cookie.  The question is, how would I describe the Neiman Marcus $250 chocolate chip cookie recipe?  I guess I would have to say, in one word, addicting.  These cookies are like crack-cocaine.  If “jazz hands” were in cookie form they would be the Neiman Marcus $250 chocolate chip cookie.  They put a skip in your step.  They make you feel euphoric for no reason.  You’ll find yourself exclaiming “good morning world!” even on a Monday.  They’re that good.  I don’t know if it’s the proportion of butter, sugar, flour and eggs.  I don’t know if it’s the added walnuts.  I don’t even know if it’s the instant espresso powder that makes this chocolate chip cookie amazing.  It’s just a damn good cookie.  Also, it’s the instant espresso powder. Continue reading →

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Peppermint Pattie Surprise Cookies

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These cookies take me back.  I first made Peppermint Pattie surprise cookies in December of 2001.  I had just moved into New York City two months eariler.  As you know, the fall of 2001 was a very sad time for the city, and the country.  I started to bake a lot as way to comfort myself, and this recipe along with a few others become my go-to.   Peppermint Pattie surprise cookies are chocolate mint cookies with the surprise filling of a Peppermint Pattie candy.  The taste is wintery with a deep chocolate flavor, but it’s the texture that has me head over heals in love.  It starts with a thin, crisp outer layer, and as you bite in deeper the cookie layers become chewier and softer.  I love making these cookies in the wintertime, or anytime I’m feeling a bit blue. Continue reading →

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Mini Chocolate Ganache Cakes

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I have this inner longing to throw an intimate New Year’s Eve soiree at my home.  I want it to be the kind of party where the men wear smart suits, and the women wear classy cocktail dresses, high heals, and pearls.  We’d sing show tunes around the grand piano (I don’t own a piano).   We’d  talk of politics, literature, art history, and we’d use big S.A.T. words while doing so.  We’d sip champagne cocktails and smoke cigarettes (I’m not a smoker).  We’d play fun parlor games like charades, Parcheesi, and Cards Against Humanity .  I’m not sure what the menu would be, but caviar would certainly make an appearance. Finally, I’d serve on a shiny, silver platter very elegant mini chocolate ganache cakes.  Once we all enthusiastically welcomed in the New Year, and drank our last glass of bubbly, my husband and I would say goodbye to our very happy guests.  We’d kiss one more New Years kiss before retiring to bed.  We’d sleep soundly into the early afternoon.  And so would the kids. Continue reading →

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