Hello, Ladies-when Danielle G. asked me to sub for her the day she had to make the "Lace Cookie", I thought, sure. This cookie requires no mixing and the ingredients seem simple enough. Little did I know what an experience it would turn out to be. The procedure of making the batter was rather easy. All on top of the stove in a saucepan. After lining the baking sheets with heavy duty foil, I was ready to drop my batter by 3/4 spoonfuls. (Here's a hint if you ever make these...the cookie batter spreads on the cookie sheet before baking-you kind of have to be quick.) Once the cookies were done, they cooled for a good 15 minutes. Carefully peeling them away from the foil was not an easy task. I used a special spatula to finally reach that goal. They are very delicate. So many of them cracked or broke at that time. Uniformity also went out the window. Some turned out larger than others, you will see. The next step was to simply drizzle them with the melted mixture of sweetened condensed milk, chocolate and finely ground walnuts-which, as stated, were optional. Of course, I integrated the nuts into the recipe, trying to get a product exactly as shown in the picture. I had the bright idea to put the chocolate mixture into one of the ketchup bottles that I just happened to have, and go on to drizzle them so perfectly. Ever try funneling before? Big mistake! What ended up happening was the nuts were not as finely ground as I thought so they would get stuck in the hole atop the dispenser. It was really comical to witness the chocolate mess I had going. I was panicked. Nino...can you please help me figure out how to drizzle the chocolate? (It was now 10:30, Thursday night...yes, I was cheating and baking prior to Danielle's actual day.) Problem being, the mixture started to harden as it sat out. He concocted a baggie with a slit and started some artistry work. Uh-oh. They looked terrible. The chocolate was globbed here and there and most of the designs looked like a capital "S". I surely didn't want you to think that I marked each one with my initial, and I realized that I cannot give these to the ladies looking like this. Well, I remade a batch today. They seem more uniform than last night's. The chocolate mixture is missing the nuts. I was not going to try that again. I also found a smaller squirt bottle (for lack of a better word) in the Chocolate Factory Kit" I've had for years, but forgot that fact last night. The drizzling is much more appealing. I also tried to sprinkle finely ground walnuts over the chocolate mixture, to no avail. They just wouldn't stick.These cookies are delicious. Light and crispy and very chewy. I did enjoy making them both times. The old saying "Third times a charm" will be motto If I ever attempt these again. I kind of consider myself a semi-pro.Enjoy, and Happy Easter!Sandy
Apr 2, 2010
Lace Cookie
Hello, Ladies-when Danielle G. asked me to sub for her the day she had to make the "Lace Cookie", I thought, sure. This cookie requires no mixing and the ingredients seem simple enough. Little did I know what an experience it would turn out to be. The procedure of making the batter was rather easy. All on top of the stove in a saucepan. After lining the baking sheets with heavy duty foil, I was ready to drop my batter by 3/4 spoonfuls. (Here's a hint if you ever make these...the cookie batter spreads on the cookie sheet before baking-you kind of have to be quick.) Once the cookies were done, they cooled for a good 15 minutes. Carefully peeling them away from the foil was not an easy task. I used a special spatula to finally reach that goal. They are very delicate. So many of them cracked or broke at that time. Uniformity also went out the window. Some turned out larger than others, you will see. The next step was to simply drizzle them with the melted mixture of sweetened condensed milk, chocolate and finely ground walnuts-which, as stated, were optional. Of course, I integrated the nuts into the recipe, trying to get a product exactly as shown in the picture. I had the bright idea to put the chocolate mixture into one of the ketchup bottles that I just happened to have, and go on to drizzle them so perfectly. Ever try funneling before? Big mistake! What ended up happening was the nuts were not as finely ground as I thought so they would get stuck in the hole atop the dispenser. It was really comical to witness the chocolate mess I had going. I was panicked. Nino...can you please help me figure out how to drizzle the chocolate? (It was now 10:30, Thursday night...yes, I was cheating and baking prior to Danielle's actual day.) Problem being, the mixture started to harden as it sat out. He concocted a baggie with a slit and started some artistry work. Uh-oh. They looked terrible. The chocolate was globbed here and there and most of the designs looked like a capital "S". I surely didn't want you to think that I marked each one with my initial, and I realized that I cannot give these to the ladies looking like this. Well, I remade a batch today. They seem more uniform than last night's. The chocolate mixture is missing the nuts. I was not going to try that again. I also found a smaller squirt bottle (for lack of a better word) in the Chocolate Factory Kit" I've had for years, but forgot that fact last night. The drizzling is much more appealing. I also tried to sprinkle finely ground walnuts over the chocolate mixture, to no avail. They just wouldn't stick.These cookies are delicious. Light and crispy and very chewy. I did enjoy making them both times. The old saying "Third times a charm" will be motto If I ever attempt these again. I kind of consider myself a semi-pro.Enjoy, and Happy Easter!Sandy
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Sandy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great job you did. I love how delicate they are and your packaging is so pretty! They taste delicious!
For a "semi-pro" the cookies look pretty darned good! Using a silpat on a baking sheet is the ticket for these cookies since they slide right off. They are a little more difficult to remove from the foil, but it's really the only other option. I found that by lifting the foil and kind of pressing the cookie off from the underside of the foil works pretty well.
ReplyDeleteThe picture in the book shows the drizzle on top as you did. However, most often when I make these, I spread the filling on one cookie and top with another to make a sandwich. I thought the drizzle on top would make it a bit easier for people, but I guess that tactic didn't work!
Congratulations Sandy on a job well done as a guest baker. I admire your persistence to go ahead and make a second batch for better results. Theresa G.
Sandy, I chuckled several times as I read your blog. Nicely done! I wouldn't have minded the "S" cookies. I would have thought that you made them like that for "shelly"! The cookie is delicious, however, I am finding them to be like potato chips...can't stop at one!
ReplyDeleteThese were so delicious. Thank you for jumping in and baking. Hope your family enjoyed them as much as I did. Happy Easter. Angie
ReplyDeleteSandy, Thank you thank you thank you. Your cookies and photo are beautiful. You are a great friend for baking for me, I appreciate it and hope you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteDanielle G.
Sandy, What a beautiful job you did with this very delicate cookie. Your patience with the drizzle was beyond anything I could have done. I would have chucked it a lot sooner. I know how impatient I get with the bottles for the apples and no nuts are involved. Very lovely job for your first guest baking experience, you look like a pro to me along with all the rest of our pros. Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteL. Sharon