Well it is 7:10 P.M. and I am still wearing my pearls. I traded my apron for a fresh cup of coffee. I thought I would enjoy my favorite beverage while I shared my guest baking experience. I started at 10:00 A.M at Krogers to buy my preserves. I blanched and peeled my almonds yesterday.
I felt very extravagant using my new food processor that came with three bowls. I did not have to wash a single processing bowl while I worked. Modern technology is a beautiful thing. The cookie was relatively easy. I did two batches and therefore it took considerably longer because I had to wait for my square pan to cool in-between batches. The recipe said it yielded 2 dozen squares and I wanted to try some different preserves as the filling, thus the two batches. I used cherry preserves in the first one. I pureed the preserves because cherry preserves come with whole cherries in it. I thought it would be smoother and easier to spread if I pureed it and that was the case. The next batch I used strawberry preserves. Danielle liked the strawberry better and I have to agree. Let me know what the rest of you think.
I never realized how much time one batch of cookies takes. When I do my baking I assemble all the doughs, refrigerate the ones that need refrigeration and perhaps bake one of the five I might be working on at the time. I bake the others when I can get to them. Today I was packaging at 3:15 to get ready to deliver at 4:00 with my dear daughter. That was 5 hours for one cookie recipe. I could never have gotten children to school, worked at school, cooked dinner and do all the other volunteer jobs you darling pearl girls are involved in. My admiration was 100% for all of you at the beginning of this and now it is 500%.
Thank goodness Danielle had me for dinner tonite I don't think I had enough energy to think about that on top of my deliveries.
Shelly thank you for allowing me to guest bake. I would have never known this aspect of the blog adventure.
I close my blog tonite in awe of The Pearl Girls and your other guest bakers. Our would certainly is a better place because of the wonderful women you all are, your beautiful friendships and the future leaders you are doing a fabulous job raising.
Love and Admiration, Sharon
Mom,
ReplyDeleteI love this cookie. Nice job on the different flavors. I am so glad you got to use your new food proccessor (and all three bowls). Thank you for the wonderful words of encouragement it almost makes me want to do this for longer(we know we would never get Shelly to agree). I think even with our busy schedules this has enhanced our lives and definitely made our friendship stronger. Thank you for making that possible.
Love you lots,
Danielle G.
Extravaganza is definately the correct name for this extravagantly delicious cookie. The texture of the finely ground almonds, the fruity sweetness of the filling and flavorful glaze, gives you many layers of flavor to enjoy all at once. Apricots is what the recipe calls for but I did think it would be fun to experiment with other flavors. I think this cookie is probably perfect no matter what your favorite flavor is.
ReplyDeleteSharon
Sharon, thank you so much for being a guest baker for me! I'm glad you had fun and I loved BOTH versions of Extravaganza's. You look so happy in your apron and pearls. Danielle is right, I am counting down the baking days. However, I am looking forward to baking cookies from scratch without the pressure of a timeline. I plan to host a cookie exchange at my house during the holidays!
ReplyDeleteYou look very happy delivering the cookies, Sharon, and could share that part of the experience with your daughter as a guest baker. The one thing about this delicious but time consuming cookie is that it doesn't yield a whole lot! The 2 flavors you used sound yummy and I'll have to try them one day.
ReplyDeleteShelly, do you think you would have even considered hosting a cookie exchange a few months ago! You've come a long way baby! Theresa G.
Sharon how cute are you and your cookies!!! If my house wasn't crazy at the time of delivery I might have found out you made a personal delivery. I am so sorry I missed you!
ReplyDeleteWell, it goes without saying how much I love this bar cookie, so delicious, tender and moist.
I like your way of assembling multiple dough and will try that at the holidays! That's smart baking!