orsacchiotto/teddy bear
I mentioned yesterday that I was making cookies and a cake to donate to the Ronald McDonald House. And I did! While the delivery was quick, the experience was extremely rewarding. I am always giving desserts away, but usually to colleagues. While they are hard working and deserving, I think the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House are in need of a good slice of cake this holiday season.
Angellika was telling me about how she was going to volunteer at one the RMcD houses in NYC, cooking dinner. I am totally going to check that out down here. I have wanted to do something, but outdoorsy, physical volunteerism? Not my thing. Cooking…that I can work with!
As far as the cake, I am thrilled about how it came out. It was a 2 tier – bottom layer was a sour cream chocolate cake and the top was red velvet.
I made two quirky turkeys and some leaves/acorns which came in handy when covering mistakes.
And the cookies….they came out better than I hoped! While making them, I had doubts. But, they were actually easier than they looked! They are my second contribution to Susan’s Eat Christmas Cookies, Season 2. Don’t forget to check out the round-up from last year and, the current list that’s fun to check out as it grows.
From Cookies Galore by Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Light Dough
1 ½ cups flour
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. baking soda
½ stick (¼ cup) butter
½ cup light brown sugar
2 Tbsp. corn syrup
1 egg, beaten
Dark Dough
1 ½ cups flour
½ tsp. ground ginger
¼ tsp. baking soda
½ stick (¼ cup) butter
½ cup light brown sugar
2 Tbsp. molasses
1 egg, beaten
Semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 50)
Bake for 8-10 minutes.
Remove and while still warm, position the chocolate chips for eyes.
What I did differently….
- Made cookies only, not pops
I didn’t read the recipe with my glasses and used ½ tsp. baking soda in each dough. - I switched the spices by accident, cinnamon in the dark dough, ginger in the light.
- I used my electric mixer, so kneading? Not really.
- I cut most of the “faces” out with the dark dough, then everything else with the light, purely by “whoops!”
- The bear in the picture, with the knife-cut out face looked grumpy. So, I made tan royal icing and piped the face. I also used it as a base for the eyes. Next time, I need to use a smaller tip.
Wrapped and ready to go!
