Sweet Victory (Cookie Recipes)

(page 4 of 8)

MARY WINSLOW'S CHAI THUMBPRINT COOKIES WITH HONEY CREAM

THE WINNER

MARY WINSLOW'S CHAI THUMBPRINT COOKIES WITH HONEY CREAM

Mary Winslow / Take the Cake
1635 W. Walnut St.; 312-850-4530
Degree of difficulty •••••
Skill level Intermediate
Hard-to-find ingredient Pico de gallo powder
Tasters’ comments “Perfect for holidays–great combination of spices.” “Wow! Love the filling.” “Delicious, soft, chewy.” “Nice saltiness.”

Pico de gallo is a dry spice mix that can be found in the ethnic food section of a supermarket or a Mexican grocery store. If you can't find pico de gallo powder, Winslow says to substitute with an equal amount of chili powder and a pinch of salt.

Thumbprint cookie:

2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. ground toasted almonds
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. salt
1 c. unsalted butter, softened but still cool
1 c. granulated sugar
2 large-egg yolks
1 tsp. vanilla

In a bowl, whisk together flour, ground almonds, baking powder, spices, and salt; set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, then vanilla. Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour mixture until dough begins to hold together. Make a ball of dough by using two level teaspoons or one 1 1/4-inch cookie scoop. Place 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Use finger to make a depression in the center. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or until they are lightly brown.

Honey cream:

1 c. confectioners sugar, sifted
3 tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 c. honey, raw amber preferred
1 teaspoon of heavy cream

Cream sugar, butter, and honey. Add cream and combine until smooth and creamy but not to thin.

Spicy almonds:

1 c. toasted sliced raw almonds
2 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. pico de gallo (powder)
1/2 tsp. cayenne

Mix water and dry ingredients. Pour into medium hot skillet. Add nuts and stir constantly until all nuts are coated and water has evaporated. Turn onto parchment, separate as much as possible and let cool.

Assemble cookies:
Fill each cookie with honey cream and top with small cluster of spicy almond. Aesthetically it looks nicer to place nuts in a spike-like fashion rather than laying flat.

Makes about 56 cookies

Photograph: Michael Boone Photography

RECIPES:

Amy Sampson's Walnut Cookies »
Cindy Shuman's Honey Pistachio Lace Cookies »
Allison Levitt's Holiday "Mallomars" »
Mary Winslow's Chai Thumbprint Cookies With Honey Cream »
Jacquy Pfeiffer's Zimtsterne, Or Cinnamon Stars »
Gale Gand's Poinsettia Cookies »
Carrie Nahabedian's Cherry Jewels »
Pamela Fitzpatrick's Almond Polenta Cookies »