MicroController Cookies

I had my cookie night turn today, unfortunately I've been too busy to try anything too ambitious... so I decided to make MicroController cookies - there simple to make and are delicious :) A MicroController, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is a very small computer on a single integrated circuit, usually intended for a single purpose in contrast to personal computers which can be used for multiple applications.

The ingredients for this cookie follow the same as my previous Apple cookies, with the small addition of adding one tsp of nutmeg, one tsp of cinnamon, and one tsp of allspice to the batter.

A variety of candies are then used to represent components embedded into the cookie bread board. I use icing gel to 'solder' the components to the boards, and to indicate various connectors and board details.

Hope you enjoyed this little treat! :)

CupCakes! I should probably hide them from GiR...

Over the last few days I've baked a couple dozen batches of cupcakes for some of my friends, so I thought I'd share some photos (Congrats on graduation Nadine, and good times Anne!):

The icing was made from 1/4 cup of melted butter, 2 cups icing sugar, 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp of whipping cream. I ran the mixer for three minutes to produce an icing that was similar in texture to whipped cream. The toppings were all just sprinkled on top, with the exception of the M&M candies - those were placed by hand. The cup cake base was made from a generic chocolate cake mix.

I think everybody enjoyed them as they lasted all of 60 seconds after we took the lid off the container ;)

Maple-Pecan Shortbread Cookies

A friend of mine recently returned home with 'prizes' from her trip to Montreal. The 'prize' she chose to bring me was a tin of 100% pure Maple Syrup - obviously cookies had to be made :)

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 chopped pecans and a few dozen extras for topping the cookies.

1 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 Maple Syrup

1 large egg yolk

1/4 tsp maple extract

1 large egg, beaten for an egg wash

Sugar for sprinkling cookie tops.

To begin you should first roast the pecans in a skillet for 5 to 10 minutes over a low to medium heat, this releases the nut oils, improving the pecan flavour. In a bowl mix together the flour, salt, and chopped pecans, then place the mixture aside to begin working on the wet ingredients. 

In an electric mixer bowl combine butter and sugar, mixing until light. Next add the Maple Syrup, egg yolk, and extract. Mix until all is well combined. Then start adding in flour mixture while mixer continues beating. This will produce a dough that will need to be refrigerated for an hour before handling again.

With the dough well chilled you may now roll it into long cylinders, that you will slice with a knife to produce individual cookies. You'll want to line your cookie sheets with parchment paper before cutting the dough.

With the cookies prepared, you may now preheat your oven to 350F. As a finishing to the cookie you may now brush the cookies with an egg wash, then place a whole pecan in the cookie center, finally dusting with sugar.

Now bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, then place on a rack to cool.

These cookies are sweet, Maple, and nutty in flavour - I hope you enjoy them too :)