So, I was excited about these cookies, I really was. And I think that all of that mental hype I had going on just set me up to fall. I hate to say this, I really do, but I didn't like these cookies at all. They were just missing something. I should have known this when I tasted the cookie dough . . . but NOOOO . . . I thought it would be better cooked. Side note: my clothes are extremely tight right now; this could be because I've spent the last three weeks sitting down at the library; or, it could be a result of all of this cookie dough I've been eating! Whatever! I can deal with anything as long as my clothes fit! When they get tight -- I am a very (VERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!) unhappy camper! But, we'll see what some normal weeks do for the fit of my clothing.Anyway,
I digress. I was very excited to make these cookies because I love butter cookies and I love jam. The upside of these cookies: they are super duper easy to make. Just bring your butter to room temp and AWAY you go! The downside: complete and utter lack of flavor. I made the first batch according to Dorie's directions, I dropped them by teaspoonfuls on my silpat. Hint: unless you want a totally weird, freak cookie, this is not the best way to go (and I'll freely admit here that I have a Martha Stewart bend so just tune me out if you can get past raggedy edges and such). The first batch came out of the oven and I thought to myself, "WTF," I know, not the most PC thought in the kitchen, but really?!&%^$?! I would just appreciate a little warning here. Just tell me that I need to very carefully shape my cookies and I will do that. Help me out here! The next batch I rounded into little balls and then I flattened them a little bit and they were much prettier but, alas, beauty does not compensate for flavor. So, at my wits end, I melted white chocolate and drizzled it on my cookies and, wouldn't you know? Dudley LOVED them. He thought that they were amazing. He couldn't stop eating them. And there, amidst my stress about crappy papers in medieval literature, I threw in the towel. And I freely admit that I should have been, and I was, really happy that he enjoyed them. BUT . . . I was more flummoxed that he could love them while I thought that they tasted like sweet play-doh. Now, I should also add, I think that Dudley would like play-doh if I drizzled white chocolate on it. The remainder of these cookies went in the boxes that I gave my neighbors.
So, I am a glutton for punishment. I'm leaving for Houston at 8 am tomorrow morning and I have Baking: From My Home to Yours packed in my carry on so that I can bake along over my wonderful holiday break . . . and I think I'm going to try these again. You see, I think that these would've been better if I'd used strawberry or raspberry jam rather than apricot preserves. I love apricot preserves but I think that maybe their flavor wasn't strong enough to carry the cookie, so to speak. I think it's worth another shot at least. So many people like this cookie that I hate to dismiss it after one try. Next time, I will bake it for ~ 8 minutes and use strawberry jam (Smuckers Seedless -- I'm a classy girl!). And . . . if that fails, I declare war against these cookies. They will never be my friends.
Here's a picture of my cookies, stacked up like a fort. You can see the apricot jam . . . if you look carefully, underneath the 2nd batch, you can also see the porcupines from my first batch! They're the cookies with the jagged edge and weird shapes!
13 comments:
The ones with the drizzle on top look very enticing! Mine were definitely not pretty, but I was surprised that I liked them. Your jam subs sound great, though. Have a wonderful break!
I'm sorry to read you didn't like the cookies, Jessica.
They do at least, look pretty cute!
You know, I didn't love these either, and yet I still ate them. What is wrong with me? I used apricot jam also -- I totally think that a finer jam like Smucker's strawberry seedless would be the way to go next time (as if). I threw some extra jam on top of some of mine, and that helped a bit. In the end, though, I agree with your analysis. There are just SO many better cookies out there. BTW, have you made the World Peace Cookies yet? If not, I've got to put in a plug for them -- I made them this past weekend and they are insanely good! And not much harder than these jam things.
I know you didn't like them, but they look beautiful with the piping!
i'm a perfectionist when it comes to cookie shapes. don't know what i would do without my cookie scoop! i couldn't taste the ginger or the jam in my cookies, but still thought they were tasty. hope your next batch turns out better!
Very nice fort :) I like the drizzle on top too. Sorry you weren't a huge fan, but at least it wasn't a big time investment!
sorry you didn't love them, but the white choc drizzle is inspired :) great job!
i know how you feel...when mine came out of the oven i thought to myself "well i'm sure glad i used a cookie scoop b/c they came out looking just like they went in!"
Sorry they weren't your favorites, but the drizzled ones look very good! Have a great break and what a trooper - taking the cookbook with you!!
Sorry you didn't like them but you sure made up for it with your decoration!
Don't you hate it when all you get out of the deal is a nice photo? Hope you have a wonderful time in Houston, and impress the hell outta everyone with your mad baking skillz!
These werent a fav cookie for me either. I think if I used a diff jam they would have came out better. Oh well your cookies are pretty anyways!
AHH, too bad you didn't like them. They look pretty.
Honestly, if you didn't like them the first time around, I don't know if it's worth the bother to make them again. We're among the ones who really liked them, but there are so many cookie recipes out there! And Cathy is right about the World Peace cookies - yum!!
Nancy
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