Coffee Talk Monday…Cookies & Appetizers!

December 23, 2013

cookies

With Christmas only a few days away…I’m finishing up my favorite cookie recipes,  appetizers and wrapping lots of gifts! I thought I would share my  go to Appetizers and cookie recipe!

Raspberry and Almond Shortbread Thumbprints

Ingredients

  • Original recipe makes 3 dozen
  • 1 cup butter, softened 
  • 2/3 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam

  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon milk

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. In a medium bowl, cream together butter and white sugar until smooth. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Mix in flour until dough comes together. Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Make a small hole in the center of each ball, using your thumb and finger, and fill the hole with preserves.
  3. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes in preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Let cool 1 minute on the cookie sheet.
  4. In a medium bowl, mix together the confectioners’ sugar, 3/4 teaspoon almond extract, and milk until smooth. Drizzle lightly over warm cookies.

Crescent Wrapped Brie

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F with the rack in the middle
  2. Unroll dough; separate crosswise into 2 sections. Pat dough and firmly press perforations to seal, forming 2 squares. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; cut crosswise into 2 rectangles. Pat dough to form 2 squares.
  3. Place 1 square on ungreased cookie sheet. Place cheese on center of dough. Wrap it around cheese.
  4. Place remaining square on top of cheese round. Press dough evenly around cheese; fold bottom edges over top edges. Gently stretch dough evenly around cheese; press to seal completely. Brush with beaten egg. Top with cutouts; brush with additional beaten egg.
  5. Bake 20 to 24 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. Serve warm. Top with maple syrup, cranberries, raisins and walnuts.