Wednesday 10 December 2008

The Great Family Cookie Bake-Off

I have remarked in this space before about the amazing ability of my family when it comes to baking. My mother and my other mother are true experts in the field, and they have passed this skill on, for better or for worse, down to their offspring. (The "worse" part comes with the caloric intake involved!!) Even the "married ins" seem to possess the necessary genetic code for admission into the clan. And while the gooey cakes and pies are lovely, (the Little Bro has spent an ungodly and frankly disturbing amount of his free time over the past six months on the art of scratch pie making) where we really show our culinary mettle is in the art of cookie making. Without shame and without posturing, I can honestly claim that we lay waste to any commercial bakery. This family is comprised of the creme de la creme of cookie bakers and we really earn our stripes when it comes to family gatherings. This weekend is just such an occasion. This weekend we will celebrate sister/cousin's children's B'nai Mitzvah, and the family ovens have been placed on high alert. Currently, we have whipped up 27 varieties of cookies and squares. 27!!!! This is slightly sickening and extraordinarily obsessive compulsive. 27! It boggles the mind. I was so blown away by the number, that I canvassed the clan and asked for the names of said delicacies so that I might offer up an interesting poll to the readers. I thought that it might be interesting to see where people's cookie allegiances lie. I will rhyme off the entire roster, and you all send me the one that you feel is your all-time favourite off of the list. I will publish the recipe of whichever cookie or square wins the poll. There are a few caveats. 
  1. If you decide to try to make the recipe in your own homes, you must follow my mother's advice and NEVER substitute margarine for butter or artificial vanilla for pure vanilla. There is a reason our cookies are so good and it has nothing whatsoever to do with fake ingredients.
  2. Understand that all ovens and all climates vary slightly, so tailor temperatures and times accordingly, but not until you have tested at ours.
  3. Don't over-cream butters and sugars and never over-handle doughs. This will result in tough cookies.
Ok! Here we go with the list.


Ginger snap jam sandwiches
Rocky ledge bars
Corn Starch cookies
Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Thick and Chewy Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate Macaroons
Oatmeal with Chocolate Covered raisins and currents
Tartlets with Coconut and Chocolate
Apricot Linzer Bars (Pucker Your lips)
Thumb Print cookies


3 kinds of Brownies
Rugalah
Crispy Corn Flakes Cookies
Oatmeal Raisin Chews
Chocolate Chip
Dark Chocolate Sour Cherry
Biscotti
Grammy Cookies
Chocolate Crackles
Reverse Chocolate Chunk
Mint Kisses Cookies
Chocolate Cookies with Sprinkles
Fudgy Wudgy
Shortbread Dipped in Dark Chocolate
Bubby's Chocolate Chunk
Oatmeal with Dark Chocolate and Cranberries
Dark Oatmeal with Raisins
Cupcakes

Amazingly, every single one of these recipes has been baked without any nut or nut products due to allergy concerns, but several of these recipes are so much better with a variety of nuts added. So take your time and cast your ballot carefully. Respond by clicking on the word comments at the end of this post and lay claim to the one recipe that you want most of all. I will happily oblige. Mazel Tov to the sister/cousin and her entire family. Simchas are good.

27 comments:

  1. I'm a die hard for the traditional - Dawn - your chocolate chunk cookies are the best!!

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  2. Oatmeal with Dark Chocolate and Cranberries

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  3. Oatmeal with Dark Chocolate and Cranberries

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  4. Oatmeal with Dark Chocolate and Cranberries

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  5. Oatmeal with Dark Chocolate and Cranberries

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  6. I've tasted your chocolate chunk cookies too, but I think I would go for the rugelah - couldn't be better than my dad's!

    Eve

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  7. Note to all: The Anonymous responder is The Husband attempting to mess with the vote. His voice will be counted only once, but it is nice to know that he has a favourite.

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  8. Okay - fudgy wudgy just sounds too good. This from the girl who always checked the dessert menu before ordering the main course....

    Judy

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  9. I'm going with fudgy wudgy. Cute name but hmmmm chocolate. This from the girl who would always check the dessert menu before ordering the entree...


    Judy

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  10. Oatmeal Raisin Chews....no contest. If this doesn't make it to the top for the recipe to be published, it's ok....Dawn will just whip me up a batch for my own enjoyment, right Dawn?

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  11. Dad votes for all of them But Oatmeal and Dark Chocolate with cranberries are the best. The Dark chocolate for my anti oxident and the cranberries for my prostate I am definitely into the health mode. Love Dawn Ponders. Dad

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  12. How can I possibly vote not having tried all the samples?

    I swear though - if the Chocolate Chunk cookies win...then the Crispy Corn Flake cookies, together with Rugalah and the Tartlets are going to form a coalition and bring down the entire bakery operation!!!! Where is GG when we need her?

    Elaine

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  13. I vote for "Oatmeal with Dark Chocolate and Cranberries". But please, DO NOT give out the recipe if it wins! I'm sure no one else could do it justice and it wouldn't be the same...hmmmm...maybe I should vote for something boring, like "cupcakes".

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  14. cupcakes
    cupcakes
    cupcakes
    cupcakes
    x100

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  15. I like oatmeal with raisins (not on the list)

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  16. I like oatmeal with raisins (not on the list)

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  17. Its very hard to choose,,,this is very stressful....I agree with Kathy S, however, your biscotti has to be one of the best (especially with cranberries)

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  18. biscotti is my absolute fav...especially with the white chocolate and cranberry, however Kathy S has a point

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  19. I agree with the individual (who must have great taste) that the oatmeal with raisins would be the best

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  20. I plan on trying as many as possible this weekend. I'm leaning towards the soft chewey chocolate but I intend to have an open mind ...

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  21. I'll take the baker then I can get them all (and more too!)

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  22. Hands down this family makes THE best homemade chocolate chunk cookies in the world, and I say that with no bias whatsoever, and with great and yummy anticipation of sampling the other 26 varieties this weekend...well with my eyes at least!

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  23. okay - I see I am getting no support on the Fudgy Wudgy deal...but that's okay. All I'm asking for is a little sampler bag put aside for us because we will (regretfully) not be there for the big celebration but will be coming in a week -

    I'm always amazed how well you all do Pesach desserts, which is a whole other blog....

    See you soon!!

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  24. I'm voting again for chocolate chunk, since others have multi-voted! Actually - I am adding Celia, Daniel and Sarah's vote to the mix, to hike up the voter turnout numbers and turn the majority to the "classic" choco-chunk chip.

    BTW - if there are any left over after tomorrow....

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  25. The recipe I want to see is the Mint Kisses Cookies. Even if it doesn't win, can you send it to me anyway?

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  26. I would usually say the traditional chocolate chip/chunk...the old stand by. But today after tasting the chocolate mint kiss cookie minus the mint, they might just be a new favourite. Snytime you want cookies tasted just ask.
    Janice

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  27. I typically enjoy the traditional chocolate chip/chunk cookie...but after tasting the chocolate mint kiss (minus the mint kiss) I may have to change my vote. I am always willing to be a tast tester. Call anytime day or night.
    Janice

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