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"Talking" to Rose and re-learning lessons in the kitchen

12/21/2014

11 Comments

 
No sense in hiding it--I am an impatient person.  I have finally become disciplined enough to stop looking for shortcuts and just do things right the first time....except that once in a while I slide back into my poor habits.  


While baking this week's assignment, the Almond Coffee Crisps, I had one of those lazy moments (hours).  I often carry on little conversations in my head as I putter around the kitchen.  Today I found myself carrying on little dialogues with Rose.  My fellow Alpha Bakers--take note!  She "answered" me!  (in a manner of speaking)

Follow along through this process:


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First, I thanked Rose for creating cookie recipes that are made in the food processor! I love the easy preparation.
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Sugar and butter are combined in the food processor. This looks suspiciously like "creaming" them together....but I just watched Rose's video where she specifically says that she doesn't cream butter and sugar together...so it can't be! (See her blog post dated 12/17/2014) Hmm...
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Although I really hate coffee (gasp!) I made a double batch of these cookies for my coffee-loving friends and family. Here is the dough portioned out for the fridge. Who was it that asked last week if Rose has stock in a plastic wrap company? "Do you, Rose? I think I need to buy stock in a paper plate company!"
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She begins to "answer me." Notice the little round impressions on the cookies? This is halfway through the baking time, by the way, just before I turned the cookie sheet. The directions say to press down the balls. "I know! I could use that cute little wooden tart tamper thing that's been collecting cobwebs in the cupboard! That would be perfect, wouldn't it, Rose?" I thought I was so clever. "No, it wouldn't, Michele," was the answer. The cute little thing stuck and tore the dough, despite flour and shortening and nonstick spray. Fingers were much more efficient. Oh well. But there's more.
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"Let's see, these are far enough apart, aren't they, Rose? I can squeeze more than just 12 on this pan, can't I?" And the answer came, "No they aren't, Michele!" The cookies spread much more than I thought they would! Note the cute (worthless) little wooden tamper in this picture, and the TAPE MEASURE to make sure I placed this batch far enough part on the cookie sheet!!
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And STILL I hadn't learned! I covered the whole table with craft paper, and thought I would make short work out of the espresso powder sprinkling step with a mesh strainer. "This will work, won't it Rose?" Need I say it--"NO, it won't work, Michele!" The powder pours right through. Use fingers like the directions call for or go buy a cosmetic brush and stop looking for shortcuts on an already easy recipe!
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The cookies aren't cute. But my taste testers are coffee-lovers, so these are packaged up ready for delivery. My friends and family are very happy with the Alpha Bakers project!
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They are very light, and I am surprised at the subtlety of the coffee flavor. They aren't my favorite, because I really, really don't like coffee, but they are a real hit with my husband--the only taster so far! I hope my other tasters will comment and let me know how they like them!
11 Comments
Denise
12/21/2014 01:40:24 pm

I am going to miss tasting your delicious treats!! Coffee is one of my favorite things...these cooks look so delicious!

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Kimberlie Robert link
12/22/2014 07:48:29 am

Ah Michele, you might not like coffee flavour, but you have to admit that there is a good cookie on many levels. Everyone that tried these completely fell in love with them! Happiest of holidays to you. Enjoy your family and friends.

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faithy link
12/22/2014 09:22:27 am

Hi! I wanted to use the temper thing too..but i can't find mine..lol! So i ended up using my knuckles..LOL! Your cookies look wonderful! I don't drink coffee either, but I do take coffee desserts though. I adore how you packaged your cookies as gifts! So pretty!

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Patricia @ ButterYum link
12/22/2014 10:16:28 am

I have that tamper, two actually. So my cookies turned out like yours did. We loved them. Hope you can stop by and see my delectable flat crisps.

Patricia @ ButterYum
http://www.butteryum.org/roses-alpha-bakers/2014/11/6/tbb-almond-coffee-crisps

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Marie link
12/22/2014 11:52:10 am

I have it on good authority that Rose uses and reuses plastic wrap, so you might not want to use that as your reason for investing in plastic!

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Jenn link
12/22/2014 12:12:00 pm

I love your cookies packaging. It's so pretty. I am against plastic wrap and try to use them as little as possible so I usually use pyrex container instead.

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inthekitchen link
12/22/2014 12:59:58 pm

Your running commentary while baking is hilarious :)

I'm going to try these again without espresso powder (for my mom, who hates coffee), so I'll let you know how those turn out. I want to add cocoa powder but am not sure how it will affect the recipe other than turning them chocolatey. Maybe I'll try it with half the recipe and see.

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Denise Umberger
12/22/2014 01:48:33 pm

The cookies were SO DELICIOUS!!!!! Thank you for bringing them to us! I will be making them soon!! Thank you for helping me and mentoring me! I appreciate all you do!!!

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Michele
12/23/2014 10:00:32 am

Denise, you are most welcome! I love it when a student becomes a friend--and soon a fellow teacher!! How cool is that?! You are awesome!

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Glori Berkel link
12/22/2014 11:50:02 pm

Love the conversation with Rose. I tried using the bottom of a beer glass to smash the cookies but found that fingers worked best too.

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Vicki link
12/23/2014 01:31:26 am

Love how you packaged them! Wish I had the foresight to make a double batch. They disappeared quickly, even the first burned batch.

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