Recipe: Ginger Crackle Cookies

'Tis the season to indulge in the warmth of the holidays, and what better way to celebrate than with the timeless allure of ginger crackle cookies? These chewy, spicy, and downright delicious treats have earned their stripes as a Christmas classic, but truth be told, they're a year-round sensation that transcends seasonal boundaries.

Ginger Crackle Cookies

Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 40 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 1/4 tsp ground ginger

• 1 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

• 1/2 tsp pink himalayan salt (any salt will work)

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter , softened at room temperature

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

• 1 egg at room temperature

• 1/3 cup molasses

Extra

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar for rolling the dough balls

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment and set aside.

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt.

• In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat butter, ½ cup granulated sugar and brown sugar on medium until smooth, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg and molasses until combined. Gradually add the flour mixture to the bowl on low and beat until just combined.

• Using a 1-tbsp cookie scoop portion out the dough and roll into balls. Pour that extra ¼ cup granulated sugar into a shallow bowl and roll the dough balls in the sugar to coat and arrange 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

• Into the oven and bake until edges are lightly browned, about 10 min. Let cool for 5 min, and transfer to a cooling rack.

Recipe: Nacatole (Traditional Calabrese Cookies)

My parents were from the southern part of Italy - Calabria, and my Aunts/Cousins would make batches of these traditional cookies and deliver them to our home every Christmas.

I am now carrying on tradition and delivering them to you - virtually of course. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Nacatole (An Italian Calabrese Traditional Cookie)

Serves: 45 - 55 wreaths

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups sugar

• .6 large eggs

• ¾ cup grapeseed oil

• 5-6 cups all purpose flour

• Grapeseed oil for deep frying

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add grapeseed oil to a large pot to about half full or a deep fryer and heat to 350 degrees F.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer add eggs and sugar. Using the whisk attachment whip until light and fluffy. Pour in the oil and mix to incorporate.

3. Switch to the dough hook and begin adding flour on low speed until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and easy to roll.

4. Using 1 1/2 tablespoon scoop measure dough, roll into a long straw like shape, fold in half and twist. Connect the two ends to form a circular wreath.

5. Using a slotted spoon, submerge one cookie at a time into the preheated oil and deep. The cookie should float to the top and turn golden in colour when ready.

6. Use a slotted spoon to remove the golden wreath from the oil and place in a paper towel lined colander to cool. Allow to cool completely and enjoy! Cookies should be crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside.

NOTE

The traditional recipe uses vegetable oil, I use grapeseed oil because it’s a neutral-flavoured oil with a medium-high smoke point (390°F). You can use any oil as long as it has a high smoke point and neutral flavour, which means it won’t overwhelm or alter the taste of the cookies. Happy baking friends!

Recipe: Citrusy Amaretti

To quote Janet Jackson “I'm in control, never gonna stop, Control, I like to have a lot. Control, ....”

Ah, forget it! I don’t have control when it comes to these light and citrusy cookies. So freaking good!

It’s rude to talk with my mouth full so here ya go! Full recipe below :)

Citrusy Amaretti

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 23 to 25 cookies
Author: Mary Mammoliti | Kitchen Confession

Ingredients

• 3 cups medium ground blanched almonds , (do not use almond flour)
  2/3 cup granulated sugar, and additional 1/3 cup for coating the cookies before baking.
  1 tbsp orange or lemon zest
  2 large egg whites
  1 tsp almond extract
  25 whole almonds for garnish

Instructions

1. Position rack in centre of oven and preheat to 350F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment or use a slip mat.

2. Pour egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer, add 2/3 cup sugar and using the whisk attachment beat until light and fluffy and white in colour.

3. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and add the almond extract. Using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon stir.

4. Mix citrus zest and ground almonds together and add it to your egg and sugar fluff. Mix all the ingredients together just until combined. (Dough will be sticky.)

5. Pour 1/3 cup granulated sugar into a small bowl and scoop almond mixture and roll into approximately 1 inch balls then roll around in sugar to coat.

6. Place cookies on a prepared baking sheet, 1 inch apart, gently push a whole almond in the centre of the ball and bake until edges are golden brown, 10 to 12 min. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Recipe: Maple Banana Bread

Take a break from binge watching the news, organizing your closets, virtual deep breathing classes and take a short (social distancing) walk into the kitchen and have a little Bake Sesh ....... mmmkay?

Here’s my latest At Home Kitchen Project - Maple Banana Bread! ⁣ ⁣ This traditional Banana bread recipe got a cozy Canadiana makeover with the addition of dark maple syrup. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣

Happy Baking Friends and comment below or message me with any questions xoxox⁣ ⁣

Maple Banana Bread

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1hr 20 minutes
Serves: Makes one 8½x4½" loaf
Author: Mary Mammoliti | Kitchen Confession 

Mary’s hand holding a half eaten slice of Maple Banana Bread

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1¼ teaspoons baking soda

• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt

• ⅓ cup sour cream

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 3 large ripe bananas, mashed

• 2 tablespoons pure dark maple syrup

• ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

• Nonstick baking oil spray

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spray an 8½x4½" loaf pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper, leaving enough on either side to life the load out. In a small bowl whisk flour, baking soda, and salt to combine, set aside.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer or if using a hand mixer a large bowl, beat brown sugar, sour cream, and butter until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add the maple syrup and one egg at a time, mixing to combine after each egg.

3. Reduce the speed to low on your mixer, slowly add the flour mixture, and mix to form

4. A smooth batter. Add bananas and mix until combined. Fold in walnuts, if using. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. 

5. Bake the banana bread for 60–65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let it cool in the pan for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the pan and get slicing.

Baked Maple Banana Bread in the loaf pan with two slices on a plate to the right of the loaf

I’ve also been using Kana pre-cut parchment paper for almost 2 months (swipe left to see) and you know I like to try the products before I recommend them and I can’t stop singing the praises of this product and brand! Pre-cut sheets to fit your cake pans, baking sheets (all sizes) and air fryer! They’re environmentally friendly and coated with natural silicone. The finish eliminates any need for greasing your pans, which means less mess, and less cleanup!⁣ ⁣ These pre-cut sheets are made from wood pulp sourced exclusively from sustainably managed forests, are compostable and biodegradable.⁣ ⁣ Packaging: 50% recycled paper and 50% wood pulp sourced from sustainably managed forests.

A loaf pan lined with parchment paper with a whisk and the open package of Kana paper

Several packages of pre-cut parchment paper of various sizes

Recipe: Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

I haven’t herd of Neiman Marcus Cookies until I stumbled across a recipe online and boy am I happy I did! Let me start by saying this recipes is not a KC original recipe and I haven’t the slightest idea as to where it originated, but this recipe developer was a genius! 

This cookie is decadent with a crunch factor yet soft and chewy with loads of texture, and the semi sweet chocolate takes the whole experience to the next level of cookie perfection! 

This buttery sweet cookie extravaganza is the perfect Friday Treat. Heck add it to Saturday’s breakfast table, take it to go while running errands. No judgment here. Eat it all day every day. Don’t worry about running out of cookies because this recipe makes 4 dozen cookies! 

Whoot! Whoot! (Cue Marching Band) 

I don’t think I’ve been this excited since I discovered you could sip your coffee through a Tim Tam

Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

COOK TIME: 10 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 25 minutes

SERVINGS: 4 dozen 

INGREDIENTS

2 cups unsalted butter

2 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs, beaten

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

24 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips (such as Ghirardelli 60% cacao)

8 ounces Hershey's chocolate bars, broken into chunks

3 cups very roughly chopped walnuts, pecans, or a combination

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until lightened in color and texture, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir together with a wooden spoon. Add the oats and stir to combine. Then stir in the chocolate chips, Hershey's bars, and nuts.

3. To bake, preheat the oven to 375°F. Using your hands or a couple of spoons, form the batter into loose, golf-ball-sized mounds. Place two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for six to nine minutes, until tops are just golden and cookies are still soft. On the off chance there are any cookies left once they're cool enough to handle, cool them completely on racks before storing in an airtight container for up to a couple of days.

TIP: To freeze dough balls, place in the freezer on parchment-lined baking sheets until solid, then bag by the dozen, save for up to a month. Add one to two minutes to the cooking time when baking from frozen.

Skinny Peanut Butter Cookies

Yields: 14-16 cookies

Ingredients

• ½ cup Light Smooth Peanut Butter 
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup whole wheat flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 Tablespoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 egg white

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Mix all ingredients together is a medium size mixing bowl.
3. Form cookie balls and place on two greased cookie sheets
4. Flatten each cookie ball with hands to about a 2 inches diameter and ¼ inch thick
5. With a fork indent the tops of cookies with the crisscross pattern
6. Bake for 7-9 minutes, they will look underdone but still take them out
7. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before removing from the tray.