From the Hearth holiday cookie contest

Written by Joy Paoletti and Judy Vig
Monday, 02 November 2009 16:42

It’s official. The holidays are right around the corner.

There are little reminders everywhere you look. The brightly colored leaves that once made us stop and stare now are falling, leaving behind bare dark branches and a nip in the air. The grocery stores are stocking their shelves with nuts, dried fruits, holiday spices, and bags upon bags of flour and sugar.

A cookie is just a cookie, but Christmas cookies are different. They bring us back to our past. They come with family traditions and are filled with warm thoughts and childhood memories. Just the aroma of a holiday cookie baking in the oven can turn us back into giggling children asking for a cold glass of milk.

We are happy to introduce our From the Hearth Holiday Cookie Contest; and we welcome recipes reflecting your family’s traditions for Christmas, Hanukah or other seasonal-themed cookies. Send us your favorite cookie recipe along with its memory or family tradition.

All recipes will be published online at TwiceBakedTwins.com as well as in the newspaper. We will announce the winners (even though all are winners) on Thursday, Dec. 17.

Winners will receive a $100 American Express gift card. Contest rules are below. We thought we would start you off with one of our favorite cookie recipes. Enjoy.

Contest Rules:

1. Readers are welcome to submit their favorite holiday cookie recipe along with a short memory or family tradition. One recipe per entrant; directions should be clear and complete.

2. Submit recipes to TwiceBakedTwins.com. Click on link titled “Holiday Cookie Contest.” All recipes must received by Friday, Dec. 11.

3. A valid e-mail address and phone number must be included for all recipes to be entered.

4. All recipes will be published on our Web site and at TwiceBakedTwins.com.

5. Entries will be judged on taste and overall cookie-lovers’ appeal.

6. Two recipes will be selected as winners. A $100 American Express gift card will be awarded to both winners.

7. The winning recipes, along with the memory/tradtions, will be published in the newspaper Dec. 17.

Happy baking and good luck.

Cousin Diana’s bittersweet gems

Our cousins, Diana and Paula, who live in East Hartford, served these ice cream Sunday-like cookies at a family gathering. We have never forgotten how delicious they were. They are a little time consuming, so the bases and the filling can be prepared a day ahead.

We first sampled these delightful little gems 40 years ago. Our cousins, Diana and Paula, who live in East Hartford, served these ice cream Sunday-like cookies at a family gathering. We have never forgotten how delicious they were. They are a little time consuming, so the bases and the filling can be prepared a day ahead.

Cookie bases

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups flour

Cream the butter, sugar, salt and vanilla. Gradually add 1 cup of flour, using the 1/4 cup if you need more. Chill dough. Shape into 1 1/2-inch balls and create a small, well/indent in each. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Nut filling

3 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup sifted confectioners sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Blend all ingredients together in a medium bowl. Fill the well of each cookie with a teaspoonful of the mixture.

Chocolate topping

1/2 cup semisweet chips

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons water

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

In a small saucepan, combine the first three ingredients. Sift 1/2 cup of the confectioners sugar into the mixture. Stir until smooth and drizzle over the little gems.