Spring Cookies

Posted by jessie on 11/08/08 in August 2008, Mary T, Seasonal, Success

from Bob’s Red Mill Baking Book

Dough

• 3-1/2 cups unbleached flour

• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 6 eggs

• 1 cup sugar

• 12 tbsp (1-1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

• 2 tbsp vanilla extract

 

Icing

• 4 cups confectioner’s sugar

• 3 tbsp water

• 1-1/2 tbsp lemon juice (or more, to taste)

• nonpareils, for sprinkling

 

  Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Lightly oil 2 baking sheets or cover with parchment paper.

  In a medium bowl, sift or whisk together the flours, baking powder and salt.  In a large bowl, cream together the eggs with the sugar until light lemon-yellow in color.  Add the butter in a steady stream, whisking to incorporate.  Whisk in the vanilla extract.

  Fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just incorporated.

  Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until the dough comes together.  Divide into 24 pieces.  Make a roughly 6-inch rope out of each piece, then pinch the ends together to form a circle.

  Place the circles on the prepared baking sheets and bake for about 20 minutes, or until puffy and golden brown.

  For the icing, combine all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat and whisk until well blended and just warm.  Add more water or sugar to achieve the consistency of syrup.  Dip the cookies in the icing and sprinkle with nonpareils.

Quinoa Brownies

Posted by jessie on 14/07/08 in Brownies, July 2008, Mary T, No Flour

 brownies.jpg

-Scant 1/4 cup vegetable oil

-4 1/2 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped

-2 eggs at room temperature

-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

-3/4 cup quinoa flour

-3 Tablespoons rice flour

-1 Teaspoon baking powder

-1/2 cup sugar

 

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly oil an 8×8 inch baking pan or dish.

Stir the oil with the chocolate in the top of  a double boiler set over simmering water, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Beat the eggs and add to the chocolate, whisking vigorously. Beat in the vanilla and let the mixture cool until it’s warm. Combine the flours, baking powder and sugar then beat into chocolate mixture to form a dough. Spread the dough into the prepared pan and bake for 10-15 minutes. Allow to cool then cut into squares.