Tom Yum Cookies

How exotic does these sound?! Everyone shot me a weird look when I introduced them during a gathering but hey, what's cooking or baking without being adventurous eh? ;) Trust me, I was equally skeptical when I stumbled upon the recipe.

Recipe adapted from Taste of Time

Ingredients: (Makes about 20)

• 325g plain flour, sifted
• 100g brown sugar
• 150mL canola oil
• 3 tbsp Tom Yum paste
• 8 pieces Kaffir lime leaves, shredded finely
  

Method:

1. Mix everything in a bowl until well incorporated.
2. Scoop out portions using a tablespoon and place on a lined or greased baking tray.
   
3. Baked in preheated oven at 180°C for 30 minutes.
   
4. Leave to cool completely before storing.

When I first bit into the cookie, my mind was utterly confused and some of my friends said the same. The flavours and texture are good but I probably need a while to get used to this exotic cookie. A few fell in love with it at first bite which is encouraging.

Can you stomach this? Guess you've got to try it to know it. ;)

Snickerdoodles

I have never heard of snickerdoodles until recently. After all, they do not look like Snickers, neither do they look like any form of doodle.

Looking at the recipe, the steps are simple and I'm sure like everyone else, the ingredients are readily available in your pantry.

Recipe adapted from The Big Book of Baking.

Ingredients: (Makes 10)

• 55g butter, softened
• 35g sugar
• 1 small egg
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 100g plain flour
• 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 190°C and line a baking tray with paper and chill it in the fridge.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt into the mixture.
   
3. Slowly beat in the egg and add in the vanilla until just combined.
4. Wrap the dough in a clingwrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or more.
5. In the meantime, mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
6. When the dough is ready, divide the dough into 10 and roll them into balls.
7. Roll each ball in the cinnamon mixture to coat and place on prepared baking trays, spaced well apart.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until it is slightly firm to the touch. Do not overbake.
9. Leave to cool on baking tray for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Be sure to check the oven often as snickerdoodles are meant to be chewy, not hard which can result from overbaking.

This recipe should result in a crisp, firm edge with a soft, light filling in the centre. For me it felt like I was munching on a cookie on the outside and eating soft cinnamon doughnut on the inside.

Best of both worlds! :D

Shortbread

I'm sure many of you grew up munching on these delicious butter cookies that we all know as 'butter cookies in the blue tin' simply because Kjeldsens Danish butter cookies sounds too complicated.

Now you can make your very own butter cookies or shortbread right at home.

Recipe adapted from Super Food Ideas.

Ingredients: (Makes 8 slices)

• 125g butter, softened
• 1/2 cup pure icing sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/8 cups plain flour
• 1/8 cup cornflour

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 160°C. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, icing sugar and vanilla until pale and creamy.
2. Sift flour and cornflour over butter mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead dough until smooth. Do not overwork your dough as it will result it a tough instead of crumbly texture.
3. Wrap dough in a cling wrap and chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
4. Remove dough from fridge and press onto a 9" fluted tart pan. Use the a flat surface of a glass to press and flatten the dough evenly.
5. Score 8 triangles in each shortbread round (do not cut through dough).
6. Alternatively, brush the shortbread with eggwhite and sprinkle with sugar.
   
7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until shortbread is light golden and firm to the touch.
   
8. Use a sharp knife to cut through markings and allow to cool down.

Best enjoyed with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee. ;)