holidays » Living Lou

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

I have so much baking to do over the next few days. I have to get my Holiday cookies out to friends and neighbors and guess what, I only have one type of dough in the freezer right now and it’s these Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. Much of this weekend is going to be devoted to baking…even though I haven’t finished my Christmas shopping yet. Woops. I’m kind of behind, jut a little. I’ve been off school for almost two weeks now, but last week was spent with 14 hour days helping shoot a movie on the Toronto Island, so as you can imagine, barely any baking, or shopping got done.

The Holidays are just a really busy time, I planned on getting so many recipes and photos done, but I’ve found myself seriously falling behind. But that’s OK. There are friends to see, shopping to do, movies to watch, books to read, the list goes on and on.

And then there’s this little thing called writer’s block. Perhaps it’s more of a mental burnout after an absolutely exhausting semester at school. Maybe it’s frustration with things and people that I can’t change. Maybe it’s a last minute rush to meet my goals for 2012, but whatever it is, inspiration, stories…words are not easy to come by.

These Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are kind of like the amazing thin mint girl guide cookies, except they’re not quite as crunchy. I’ve always loved the combination of chocolate and mint or chocolate and peppermint so those two in a cookie form is just divine. What I love about these cookies is that they’re not too sweet but you get a nice sweetness from the white chocolate on top.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies (makes about 4 dozen)

Ingredients

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
6 tbsp unsalted butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup white chocolate chips, melted for drizzling
Crushed candy canes, optional

Directions

Begin by sifting together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Next, slowly beat in the dry ingredients.

Shape dough into two disks and cover in plastic wrap. Freeze for one hour.

Preheat oven to 325 and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Roll out dough to 1/8 of an inch thick on a well floured surface. Using a small, round cookie cutter (I couldn’t find mine, so I used a shot glass!) cut the dough into round cookies. Place on the baking sheet.

Bake for 9-11 minutes, cookies should feel dry to the touch.

Allow them to cook before drizzling with melted chocolate. I found using a squeeze bottle, like the ones made by Wilton worked really well for decorating these cookies. If you are sprinkling with crushed candy canes, be sure to sprinkle before the chocolate has dried!

Hope your Christmas preparations are going well, these cookies will be perfect for Santa.

- Lou

Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies

It’s December which means three things; cookies, holidays and unfortunately, exams. This is how it works, I bake (and devour) an insane amount of cookies during exams – these Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies are a result of those stress induced baking sessions. Then the holidays come and I’m all cookie-d out, but I power through and bake (and eat) more cookies. Then, January hits and I don’t want to see a cookie for two months – which is helpful for my annual “time to get healthy” New Year’s resolution.

Back in October (2 months ago already – wow!) I hinted at some holiday recipes on Instagram and well, I can finally share them with you. I created three recipes for a favourite online magazine of mine, Sweet Lemon Magazine. You can find the recipes for Cozy Hot Cocoa, Flourless Chocolate Cake and Apple Cranberry Bundles in my feature A Girls Night In For the Holidays on pages 122-124.

And here’s a little behind-the-scenes from my shoot for Sweet Lemon! That’s me on the left, Sophie (who was really wanting some Cozy Hot Cocoa) and my lovely mother. Also, I’ll be blogging for Sweet Lemon as a resident foodie over on their Zesty Digest Blog – check me out!

Back to the Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies, they were a pre-exam creation. They are a take off of my favourite Ginger Molasses Cookies and my favourite cookbook, The Flavor Bible, says ginger and chocolate go together really well. Like Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday, so I knew I had to try out this combination. What I love about these cookies is that first you taste the chocolate and then there is a hint of ginger and molasses, which becomes even more flavorful and is the perfect aftertaste. If there is one cookie to make this holiday season, it’s definitely these Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies.

Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies (makes around 40)
Recipe by Lou

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 scant teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar + 3 tbsp for rolling dough
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 325.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 2-4 minutes. Add egg, molasses and vanilla. Beat until combined.

In two additions, beat in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in chocolate chips.

Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and coat in sugar. Refrigerate for 15 minutes before baking.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the surfaces are slightly cracked. Let cool for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Let me know if you try the recipe.

- Lou

Holiday Recipes

Can you believe that it’s Christmas again? I swear, each year it comes faster and faster and I become less and less prepared. As in, I just did my Christmas shopping yesterday – 3 days before Christmas. What is everyone planning for Christmas? We’re having some family over as usual, and will be making a turkey and all the fixings and some yummy desserts. Of course, I’m still thinking about a few hors d’oevres to serve before the meal. Now that is planning at its finest my friends!

Christmas is definitely one of my favourite times of the year. It’s so wonderful and happy and festive and fun. I also love ugly Christmas sweaters – I have a wide range and keep adding to my collection each year. I think everyone needs at least one, preferably two or more, ugly Christmas sweaters. I wish I had an ugly Christmas sweater with our little friend Santa peaking in the bottom of the photo above. Now that would be a good one.

Last year my cookie spread wasn’t the greatest because, well, I ate all the cookies before Christmas. Shh. I just can’t help snacking when they’re sitting out there all nice and pretty. This year I made five types of cookies and they were all winners and will all be present in the cookie spread. I promise.

Ginger Molasses Cookies

Chocolate Snow Caps

For me, Christmas is all about tradition. I look forward to my Aunt Mari’s stuffing, and my dad’s mashed potatoes. Christmass Eve always includes watching A Christmas Story and singing carols and the opening of the first gift – a new pair of pajamas. While Christmas is a time for tradition, sometimes there are some side dishes that you can throw into the mix, while remaining traditional they are still a little different and add a nice element to the meal.

Green Beans in Vinaigrette

And then of course you can’t forget Christmas desserts. We usually have two desserts, I’ll make one (always involving chocolate) and my mom makes her trifle which has a gluten free cake base and layers of custard, strawberries and whipped cream. It’s definitely a well loved dessert.

Last year I made a chocolate layer cake with chocolate mousse filling, but there was a dessert which I made earlier this year, the Flourless Chocolate Cake and I just can’t resist making it again. It’s so rich and decadent, and finishing off Christmas dinner with a small slice of flourless chocolate cake is a great way to end an amazing time.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

I’m looking forward to all the delicious food, spending time with friends and family and general feeling of Christmas that will occupy the next few days. Will be back to regular posting in the New Year! If you’re looking for some Holiday tips check out my latest posts on The Kit Stress-Free Holidays, Wellness Gift Ideas and Six Easy Health Tips.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and holiday season!

- Lou

Cranberry Stuffed Mushrooms

Relaxed, inspired and energized; that’s how I’m feeling these days. I’m finally getting out of my school induced rut. Exams finished on Friday, and having finished exams at least a week before most of my friends means that the city is deserted. I finally have all the time in the world to watch all of the John Lennon and Paul McCartney videos I can find on YouTube, catch up on reading (I’m reading One Day by David Nicholls) and be a total food nerd and spend hours in the kitchen creating recipes.

Over the last month or so I’ve really been lacking in inspiration. I can’t even tell you the number of times I would go into the kitchen and stare into the cupboards and the fridge only to leave the room empty handed. You could say I was in a food rut. And a blogging rut. And a life rut. I think my brain and my body were a little exhausted.

The holiday season has always been my favourite time of the year. It’s just so inspiring, especially with all of these Christmas flavors like cranberries, tangerines and peppermint, to name a few. These Cranberry Stuffed Mushrooms came in a moment of inspiration, something which I have not felt for a while now. There was also a 2 for $5 sale on bags of cranberries at the grocery store, which may have helped. Whatever the reason, these Cranberry Stuffed Mushrooms were born. And are they ever special. With flavors of the season, rich and decadent goats cheese and crumbled sausage, they are the perfect holiday appetizer.

Cranberry Stuffed Mushrooms (makes 12)
Recipe by Lou

Ingredients

12 button mushrooms, stems removed
1/4 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
1 tbsp butter
Olive oil for pan
1 medium sausage link
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 tbsp white wine
1/4 cup goats cheese
1/4 tsp dried sage
3/4 tsp maple syrup
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp Parmesan

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.

Dice 6 of the mushroom stems, discarding the remaining 6.

In a pan, melt butter over med-low heat. Add cranberries and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the mushroom stems and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool in bowl.

In the same pan, turn up the heat to med-high and add a little olive oil to coat the pan. Next, add the garlic and sausage meat. Cook and crumble until sausage is fully cooked.

Leaving the sausage meat in the pan, add the white wine, scraping up all the brown bits on the bottom.

Turn off heat and add the cranberry and mushroom mixture back into the pan. Add in the goats cheese, sage and maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow goats cheese to melt then stir together to combine all of the ingredients.

Spoon the mixture into the mushrooms and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

After the 15 minutes, remove from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan. Return to oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes.

These cranberry stuffed mushrooms hold the perfect balance of tang, sweetness and richness. I think they make a wonderful and sophisticated appetizer for your holiday spread this December.

- Lou

Chocolate Snow Caps

Since it is cookie week, I’ve decided to start the week of with a cookie recipe instead of my usual Meatless Monday recipe, and today it’s Chocolate Snow Caps day. And let’s also point out that they have a subtle hint of coffee. Now, let’s just take a moment and think about what these cookies are? And by that I mean pure heaven. Did you hear about last week how The Cookie Monster (or is it Veggie Monster now? haha!) uploaded a video saying he wanted to host SNL… yes, I did say that The Cookie Monster wants to host SNL. (Personally, I would rather see Buddy the Elf host…).

Anyway, all this talk of cookies basically means that cookies are on the brain. Have I got you thinking, sorry, I mean craving, cookies? Woops, sorry! Guess you’ll just have to whip up a batch of these.

Chocolate Coffee Snow Caps (makes 18)
Recipe adapted from: Martha Stewart

Ingredients
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 tsp instant coffee
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
4 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
4 oz semi sweet chocolate
1 tbsp milk
1/3 cup confectioners sugar (for coating)

Directions

Melt chocolate over a pan of boiling water. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a bowl whisk flour, cocoa powder, espresso baking powder and salt together.

In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Next beat in the egg and cooled chocolate.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two to three additions, mixing well in between. Finally mix in the milk and shape dough into a disk and wrap in plastic and put in the freezer for about 30 minutes or until firm and easy to work with.

While dough is chilling, preheat oven to 350.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and prepare a bowl with your icing sugar. Shape dough into 1-inch balls – I used a cookie scoop as it made them more uniform in size. Roll the balls in the sugar coating and place on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. The cookies will spread during baking.

Bake for 12-14 minutes until the cookies have spread and are cracked on top. The cookies will be soft to the touch. Allow them to cool completely before delving in!

This first batch of cookies will be perfect for cookie week, as well as a wonderful addition to your holiday baking!

- Lou