Monday, November 1, 2010

A Baker's Confession


Okay,
Sometimes I cheat {when I'm baking}



Krusteaz makes some of the easiest, nicest, yummiest
mixes that you can buy.
This one can be altered to make three amazing cookies recipes!
{I use Krusteaz sugar cookie mix because it doesn't have hydrogenated oils in it.}
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...and inspiration from these fine Betty Crocker recipes...

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After the ooooo's and ahhhhh's
my daughter, Amanda and I decided it would be our goal to bake at least two
of the cookie recipes during her weekend visit.

Soooo easy.

Soooo delicious.

For the Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies we needed
a bag of Andes creme de menthe pieces.
We found them at Walmart.

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These taste amazing! 

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I needed poppy seeds to make the Almond Poppy Tea Cookies.
McCormick packages a tiny container of poppy seeds {1.25oz} that costs over $5.
We did not buy them at the supermarket.
Instead, I went to this tiny store that specializes in herbs, dried beans, nuts, sprinkles...
...so much fun to be in this kind of a shop...
I picked up a third of a pound of poppy seeds for just over $2.  What a difference!
These cookies are delicious!

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I'm making the red velvet cookies later this week;
I'll let you know how they turn out!

My stove and oven were on all day today!
We made lots of turkey meatballs, roasted garden fresh Brussels sprouts,
two butternut squash and those yummy cookies!
~  ~  ~

Dear family and friends,
I hope you have a sweet week,
finding each day a treasure
...to be opened with delight...


Click:  Sugar Cookie for the recipes.

Here's one of them:
1 pouch Krusteaz sugar cookie mix
1/3 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 egg
1/4 cup sliced almonds, if desired
1 cup powdered sugar
3 to 4 teaspoons water








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About Concordance™





  1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, flour, poppy seeds, butter, cream cheese, 1 teaspoon of the almond extract and egg until soft dough forms.
  2. Roll dough into 1 1/4-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Press balls slightly to flatten. If desired, top each flatten ball with 5 sliced almonds arranged to form a star.
  3. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
  4. In small bowl, mix powdered sugar, remaining 1 teaspoon almond extract and enough water to give the glaze a nice spreading consistency. Spread glaze over warm cookies. Decorate with sliced almonds. Store tightly covered in a single layer at room temperature.

20 comments:

  1. These cookies looks delicious!! happy new week mu daer Maria................warmmm hugs and love Ria...

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  2. I would love the poppy seed cookies, since I love poppy seed pound cake!

    Your home must have smelled heavenly with all the baking and roasting, Maria!

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  3. O.K. you know how much I LOVE to bake (Not) so I shall email you my address and you can just send the goodies over here. Everyone will think that I am an amazing baker!!!!
    It all looks so good Maria!
    Love Di ♥

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  4. Gosh, how yummy is your post! I am enjoying it greatly, thanks a lot, Lori xxx

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  5. Your teapot is very cute, Maria. Loving the size and the color. And yes yes yes, it's the cookie season! Your cookies must be a great bite, these look heavenly.
    Much love my friend. xxxxx

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  6. What a delight to come visit you this morning...these look amazing..my daughters and I were just going through our cookie recipes this weekend and tagging the ones we want to make.

    The excitement of Christmas is building....I can feel it!!!

    For some reason I am on cloud 9 this year with anticipation...we have soooo many plans.

    Hugs for a great new week...a fresh month!A magical outlook will make it amazing. xoxoxo

    Now I just can't wait for those red velvet ones...I ADORE ANYTHING red velvet.

    xoxoxoxoxo

    Wish I could pop on over and have tea with you. xoxo

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  7. Ah, Maria! Confession is good for the soul, eh? And the cookies look delish, regardless of the bit of cheating!

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  8. Oh sweet post for sweet Maria!!! LOvely!! Wish I could have a bite:o)))
    Have a great and full of treasures week, dear! Bela.

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  9. You minister to your loved ones with your dear heart and scrumptious baking Maria. The grands will be visiting in a few weeks. I think I just may try one or two of your ideas!

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  10. Thanks for the tip, I will have to look for this product, it looks like a good one! :D

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  11. I don't how in the world you have time to bake and teach school but more power to you. Those cookies look wonderful. Wish I was there to taste test them for you!

    Love,
    D.

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  12. Oh Maria!!! Sweet...sweet cookies! Just like you! :)
    They all look so pretty too!

    Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for our daughter, Beth & baby Sophie. We are enjoying her so very much. What a blessing she is!!! God is so good to us!! :)

    I hope you have a wonderful day!
    xoxo Gloria @}~`}~~~

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  13. Hi. Thanks for the cookie recipes! I'll have to try these. My son-in-law loves Andes mints! Your autumn sky pics are also beautiful. Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog.
    I'm having a CSN giveaway this week if you want to sign up.
    Thanks.
    ~ Julie

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  14. Mint chocolate chip cookies - WOW! I've never seen anything like them, and now... well, they're calling my name!

    Well done!

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  15. i love to see an endorsed mix like this.
    thank you!!! i will try each of these
    recipes to my family's happinesss.

    it made me happy to hear that your
    daughter amanda teaches, too. it
    is sweet how after being mentored
    by you, she now inspires you!

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  16. Oh what a lovely cuppa...and then to come over and have a delicious cookie...what a treat!
    Thank you for ALWAYS making me smile and feel so very special. Your prayers are so appreciated, as my life is anything but calm. Being reminded to look up and B~R~E~A~T~H...is exactly what I needed.
    Sending you a hug...and a smile...love Rosie

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  17. The picture of the teapot and cookie would make a darling invitation to a Tea. May I borrow it??

    Will try these cookies for sure. Thanks for the tip about Krusteaz mix.

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  18. Hey Sweet Maria!
    Love that you found a special shop to buy your poppy seeds instead of getting the McCormick can at the market!
    I love buying things FRESH out of the bins!
    These cookies look YUM!
    I hope you will pop over to Bainbridge and read my post!
    It reminded me of YOU! xoxoxoxoxooxxooxxoox
    Snuggles!

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  19. What a great idea. I am going to try the almond version - my husband loves almond! I cheat sometimes too. I have made from scratch brownies but honestly I love the Ghiridelli mix better.

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  20. Hello Maria,
    I saw some of your comments around from TThurs so I came over to visit. I am from NY too, the far East end in Southampton!
    Had to smile about your semi homemade reference. I guess she is our new first girlfriend! My neighbors were at his first wedding, and keep telling me when he brings her out she is bringing her over to visit. LOL
    Now that would be some blog post, :)
    I'll be interested to see how the red velvets come out!

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments add sunshine to my day~