The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: The Original Chocolate Chip Cookie

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- If for some reason there was a worldwide cookie shortage and I could only ever have one type of cookie for the rest of my life, today's recipe would be it.  I'm a purist when it comes to baked goods - simple, time-tested treats with lots of flavor are my favorites.

I equate the holidays with these cookies - they're the original Nestle Toll House cookies and are good enough to make all year round.  So pour a tall glass of milk and have a few!

The Original NESTLE TOLL HOUSE Chocolate Chip Cookie
Recipe courtesy of VeryBestBaking.com

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 12-oz. pkg. NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.

3. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

 

4. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.

5. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets (use parchment paper for easy cleanup).

6. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Enjoy! Be sure to check back tomorrow for our next recipe: Chocolate Chip Bites with Salted Caramel Glaze!

Did you miss one of our previous cookie recipes? Find them here:
Day 1 - Raspberry Ribbons
Day 2 - Almond Kisses
Day 3 - Banana Bread Cookies
Day 4 - Melomakarona

photo credits: Amy Johnson

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The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Melomakarona

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- It's Friday, so celebrate! If your weekend is filled with holidays parties to host or attend, we've got a delicious dessert for you offer guests. Our fourth installment of The Twelve Cookies of Christmas are delightfully sweet little golden pieces of dough called Melomakarona!

Also considered "honey macaroons", melomakarona is a traditional Greek Christmas cookie soaked in honey syrup and sprinkled with walnuts. Today's unique recipe comes to us courtesy of All Habs team member Effie (@MistressFE0503) and they sounded so good, I couldn't wait to try these cookies!

Melomakarona (Honey & Spice Cookies)

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

COOKIES:

1 1/2 cups sunflower oil

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup fresh orange juice

1/4 cup brandy

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup fine-ground semolina

1 tsp. baking soda

grated peel of 1 orange

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

2 cups finely chopped walnuts

SYRUP:

2 cups water

2 cups sugar

2 cups honey

3-4 whole cloves

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). If using a convection oven, preheat to 320 degrees F (160 degrees C).

2. Dissolve the baking soda in the orange juice.

3. Add the flour, semolina, sugar, orange peel, cinnamon, and cloves to a large bowl and whisk until blended. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.

4. Pour the sunflower oil, orange juice, and brandy into the well. Incorporate the liquid into the flour with your hands, kneading the dough until it becomes sticky.

5. Take a chestnut-sized piece of dough and roll it in your hands to create a log. Press the dough gently with your fingers on one side to flatten slightly. Place the cookies on a cookie sheet (use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup).

6. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned. Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before moving on to step #7.

7. Once the cookies are cool, start preparing the syrup by adding the water, sugar, honey, cinnamon stick, and cloves to a wide pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, skimming and discarding the foam that develops on top.

 

8. Reduce heat to low and remove the cinnamon stick and cloves. Add enough cookies to cover the bottom of the pan and gently press down on them with a spatula to keep them submerged for about a minute to soak up the syrup.

9. Remove the cookies using a slotted spoon to allow the excess syrup to drain off. Place on a large serving dish and sprinkle each layer of cookies with chopped walnuts.

Effie says these cookies should not be refrigerated and to cover them well with plastic wrap or store them in tins so that they don't dry out. "They'll last for several days - if they aren't eaten by then. At my mom's they don't last!"

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our next great recipe: The Quintessential Chocolate Chip Cookie!

Did you miss one of our cookie recipes? You can find them all here:

Day 1 - Raspberry Ribbons

Day 2 - Almond Kisses

Day 3 - Banana Bread Cookies

photo credits: Amy Johnson

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The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Banana Bread Cookies

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Sometimes the best Christmas cookies don't have to be overly fancy or complex - they just need to invoke feelings of comfort and familiarity.  Our third recipe in The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies combines two of my favorite sweet treats: banana bread and chocolate chip cookies.

These soft, chewy delights are best right out of the oven with a tall glass of milk but since banana bread is technically a popular breakfast item, I say enjoy them any time of day!

Banana Bread Cookies
Recipe courtesy of Woman's Day

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) butter, softened
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
1 ripe banana, peeled and sliced
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Beat butter, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl on medium speed for about 3 minutes or until fluffy.

3. Beat in eggs, banana, and vanilla until well blended and banana is completely mashed.

4. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add flour to banana mixture until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips (and macadamia nuts, if using).

5. Drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased baking sheet.

6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.  (Now would be the perfect time to sneak a few while they're warm!)

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our fourth recipe in The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Melomakarona (Honey & Spice Cookies)!

Did you miss a day of cookie recipes?  Find them all here:
Day 1 - Raspberry Ribbons
Day 2 - Almond Kisses


photo credits: Amy Johnson, Rose's Recipes, Baking Bites, and The Tasty Gardener

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The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Almond Kisses

photo credit: Amy Johnson

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Ready to restock your cookie tray? It's time for the second round of our Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies! Today's Almond Kisses recipe comes to us courtesy of another one of our All Habs team members: Chantal (aka @habsgirl4life).

Chantal describes these treats as a "delicious almond cookie baked with a Hershey's kiss in the middle". She also notes that this recipe makes a LOT of cookies, so she usually cuts the recipe measurements in half. (Unless you're having a party or attending a cookie exchange where you'll need 10 to 12 dozen cookies!)

I made fairly big cookies, but it's possible to get more out of the dough by making the cookies bite-sized. The chocolate lover in your house will certainly love these! Happy baking!

Almond Kisses

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1/8 cup molasses
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt (if using salted almonds, cut salt to 1/2 tsp.)
1 1/2 cups finely ground almonds
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour
26 oz. Hershey's Kisses

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, with oven rack in center position.

2. Place butter in microwave-safe mixing bowl and microwave until just melted.

3. Add sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract and molasses. Stir until well blended, then add the baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix well.

4. Grind the almonds in a food processor. (I used unsalted slivered almonds.)

5. Add them to the bowl and mix throughout the batter.

6. Stir in the beaten eggs. Gradually add the flour to the batter and continue to mix until all ingredients are thoroughly blended.

7. Allow the dough to rest and firm up for a few minutes. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls with your hands and place on a greased cookie sheet. (You could also use parchment paper, as shown below.)

8. Unwrap the Hershey's Kisses and press the base of one piece of candy into the top of each cookie ball.

9. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes or until edges turn golden brown. The chocolate will soften but will not melt and lose their shape.) Cool cookies for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to completely cool. Enjoy!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our next recipe: Banana Bread Cookies!

Did you miss a day of cookies? You can find them here:
Day 1 - Raspberry Ribbons


photo credits: Amy Johnson

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The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Raspberry Ribbons

Photo credit: Amy Johnson - AllHabs.net

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- 'Tis the season for sweets and treats! If there's one thing I look forward to the most during the holidays, it's Christmas cookies. Chocolate chip cookies made from scratch and homemade fudge are December staples in my family. Gee, I wonder where I developed my sweet tooth?

In the spirit of the most popular baking season of the year, we present a special edition of Game-Day Meal called "The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies". Every day from now until Christmas Eve we'll feature a new cookie recipe for you to bake and share, if you don't eat them all first!

To kick off the series, we begin with a recipe from one of our All Habs team members, Kathy (@czechtacular). She says that her Raspberry Ribbons are "the first Christmas cookies I made all by myself". These rich, buttery cookies are a bit like a piece of shortbread biscotti with a scrumptious jam filling. Try them and I bet you can't eat just one!


Raspberry Ribbons
Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.com

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

COOKIES:
1 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup raspberry jam (I used black raspberry jam & apricot preserves)

GLAZE:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tbsp. evaporated milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Place softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.



2. Cream butter and sugar mixture on medium speed until fluffy and smooth.

3. Beat in egg and vanilla.

4. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture and continue mixing until soft dough forms.

5. Divide dough into four portions and shape each into a log, press down on the top to slightly flatten. Make an indentation down the center of each dough log. Place on a foil-lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

6. Spoon jam into indentations in dough.

7. Return trays to the oven and continue to bake at 350 degrees for another 10-15 minutes, until cookies are golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes, then transfer cookie logs to a cutting board. Cut logs into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a wire rack.

8. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the glaze until smooth and glossy.

9. Drizzle glaze over warm cookies (I recommend placing wax paper under the wire rack for easy cleanup). Allow cookies to cool completely, and enjoy!

        

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our next delicious cookie recipe - Almond Kisses!

photo credits: Amy Johnson and Kathy K.

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A Habs Fan's Survival Guide (Part 2): Making Friends in Leafs Nation

by Dayes, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)


Chapter Two – The Company We Keep

You’d think it’d be a lonely life here in Leafs Nation as a Habs fan, but not so. I’ve lived in Toronto approximately five times longer than I lived in Montreal (but Montreal is still my hometown), but I can say I definitely have no shortage of friends.

So how does a Habs fan survive in Leafs Nation? In Chapter One, I describe my means of dealing with mouthy strangers. But you can only dish it out for so long. Eventually, you have to make friends. Here are a few basic guidelines on how to maintain a healthy social life in the Tdot.


Leafs-Habs diplomacy 101
If you are always around diehard Leafs fans, I strongly suggest you add a fine tuning control knob to your expression of Habs love. I’m not saying you should censor yourself (especially since Chapter One was all about not censoring yourself). But I am saying that you don’t have to be obnoxious and in-your-face about it when you’re around die-hard Leafs fans, especially since you are in enemy territory. Make friends with them based on other similar interests/common ground (food is usually a good one – more on that later) and limit your trash talk to when you watch games together.


Bribery
Toronto is a great food city. There are so many options in all price ranges and all cuisines. BUT there are two things that Toronto does NOT have that we Montrealers can use to bribe Leafs fans into submission. Very few of them are ever able to resist the gloriousness that is Montreal smoked meat and Montreal bagels. Everyone knows my family worships at Schwartz’s Deli, but Torontonians can’t be so selective.

They’ll take what they can get. And the places in Toronto that claim to serve Montreal smoked meat or Montreal-style bagels are just so substandard, that no one has ever rejected my offer to bring back food from Montreal. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with someone who has regular access to Montreal smoked meat and bagels? I know you’re going to say vegetarians and those with gluten sensitivities, but I have another tactic for them.


Everyone wants to be like you
You need to be fun to hang out with. I don’t care what team you love, if you’re not fun, I don’t want to hang out with you. BUT, if you’re a lot of fun, even *Leafs fans* will want to hang out with you. They’ll be willing to suffer the cost of admission, which is trash talking the Leafs. Be the life of the party. If you’re the most awesome person they know, they won’t care that you’re a Habs fan. In fact, some of them can be converted.

But don’t tell them I said that.


Make friends with other Habs fans
This obviously seems like a no-brainer, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. It’s not because Habs fans are hiding, but there are just *so* many people from all over, that sometimes you find yourself surrounded by people who love a non-hockey sport (I know, shocking, eh?). However, do not despair. The birth of Twitter and other social media has made finding people with similar interests so much easier that all you need to do to find awesome Habs fans is come out to a Habs Tweetup. I have Habs fan friends that I met prior to Twitter, but meeting many diehard fans has become much easier. So come out to our next Toronto Habs Tweetup event!! You won’t regret it!!

Follow Dayes on Twitter: @cokeaddict

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Habs Tweetup in Montreal: 2011-12 Season Kickoff

by Robyn, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

MONTREAL, QC -- Despite the fact that the Habs lost 2-0 to the dreaded Toronto Maple Leafs, spirits were high last Thursday night at Mclean's Pub for the first Montreal Habs Tweetup of the regular season.

Amidst the many fans packed into the pub to cheer on the Canadiens in their the season opener, it was easy to spot our enthusiastic group.  With our tables adorned with Habs balloons, our section added even more cheerfulness and fun to an already energetic atmosphere. The wait is over, friends; hockey is back!

Several familiar faces turned up to cheer on the bleu, blanc et rouge, along with a few new ones (like mini-@ladyhabs, @__flynn! She was very excited to attend her very first Habs Tweetup!)

Our lovely waitress extraordinaire, Adrienne, once again took care of our large group with her regular ease, and the pub's several televisions made watching the game a cinch, no matter where you were sitting.

The famous Habs Tweetup trivia was just as challenging as ever - prizes were well-earned!  @TheAbraxasCo walked away with a fun set of Habs socks, @EP31 took home a Habs prize pack that included several Habs-themed goodies, @HabsWatch made off with a Habs wallet, and @theactivestick & @HeyMyNameIsWill both scored a Habs Stanley Cup banner plaque and Habs stickers.

The next Habs Tweetup events take place in Toronto on October 22nd for the Habs vs Leafs game and then back in Montreal again on October 27th when the Habs take on the Bruins. Don't miss out on your chance to win great prizes, meet other Habs fans and have a good time...RSVP to reserve your seat today!

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