smashed cookies

I made some cookies with my sister the other night while our parents were out of town.  It can be hard for me to work with someone in the kitchen who doesn't have much experience so this recipe was perfect. We each made one of the batters and then worked together to smash them together.  

SMASHED COOKIES (adapted from Butter Baking)

double fudge chocolate cookie dough:
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 eggs (use the other half for the other batter)
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda
1 cup chocolate chips

chocolate chip cookie dough:
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2 cups + 2 T. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare the trays with non-stick spray or baking paper.


To make the double fudge cookie dough, using a wooden spoon, mix the softened butter and both sugars together in a large bowl.

Add the eggs, mixing well. Stir in the vanilla.

Mix in the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt until just incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips before setting aside to make the other dough.










For the chocolate chip cookie dough, using a wooden spoon, mix the softened butter and both sugars together in a large bowl.

Add the eggs, mixing well. Stir in the vanilla.

Mix in the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt until just incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips


Form each dough into evenly sized balls (about 1 tablespoon) before taking half of each and smashing them together. You can also just place one type of dough on top of the other and as they bake they mix together.  Bake for 9-10 minutes.

Enjoy!

sticky toffee pudding

So, this took a lot longer than I thought it would (posting this).  I made the dish (which I found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2011/apr/14/cook-perfect-sticky-toffee-pudding) and was really hoping for "perfect" STP.  Well, it was good, and I would probably make it again - it was a huge hit with my parents - but it wasn't the same as I had in England.  I know, it's nearly impossible to get the exact same taste, but I'm planning to choose another recipe and have another go at it.  Overall it was tasty and with some whipped cream or ice cream I felt transported back to the pub where I first had it.  And let me tell you, it was a magical night.  And just a note on English vocabulary: "pudding" means dessert; this is not in fact a semi-solid (which is called "custard" in the UK) but rather a cake - a very delicious caramelly cake.  

In case you decide to try the recipe, here are some pictures of the process:

Making the toffee bit

Dates all chopped up

Just out of the oven - you can see the toffee layer

Topped with whipped cream!

hello again

It's been a while, hasn't it? I never took the time to post about my adventures the last few weeks and can only say I had fun with family and that hopefully I will be better about posting!  Since my last post, I've been up to Arlington twice, had a nice time with my older sister and her baby (who we are all spoiling), I've packed up much of my room and I've helped my parents as they tidy and get the house ready for a new buyer.  I've received two wedding announcements - both of which I will miss - as well countless mission calls.  My younger brother received his just last week and so all of us were on Google hang out so we could share in the surprise.  It was so fun and almost like being in the same room again instead of spread out across the U.S and England.

I should also like to announce that after years of pondering and a few weeks of intense thought, I've decided to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I started my papers only last night and because of scheduling I won't have my doctor and dental appointments until the beginning of July.  I was disappointed but know that everything will work out so I'm taking the opportunity to prepare myself spiritually and physically.  I am so excited to be a representative of the Church for 18 months and cannot wait to find out where I will be serving.  I will eventually alter this blog for the duration of my mission so that those of you still keeping up with me will already know where to go for the latest news.

If you want to learn more about the LDS Church and its missionaries (or the Mormons as we are known), click here: http://mormon.org/missionaries.

On a totally unrelated note, we've been getting lots of rain here in Virginia and the last few days have made it so I feel like I am back in London.  It doesn't help that several friends have posted videos and photos from our trip making it very easy to miss our time in the UK.  In light of these reminisces, stay tuned for a British inspired food post later this week!