We made three batches of cookies yesterday, with Edwin taking the lead. I limited the endeavor to three types of cookies, so we all agreed on one, and the kids each selected one.
The one we all agreed on was not even up for discussion: the family Christmas favorite, burnt sugar ginger cookies. The recipe calls for melting sugar and freshly grated ginger root into a liquid and quickly spreading it onto an oiled sheet to harden in preparation for breaking it up into pieces to stir into the batter. When baked, this melts into the cracks of the cookies. They are divine.
Edwin selected the almond ricotta bars, which are quire decadent with a cream cheese and almond extract icing. Maxine opted for boozy chocolate balls. We have decided these win over the handed-down family recipe of bourbon balls. Though both contain bourbon, the latter includes crushed vanilla wafers, which produce a flavor and texture too focused on the wafers and not enough on the chocolate.
Edwin still takes great joy in sharing his baking with friends, particularly two of my discerning close friends in the neighborhood (and his favorite moms). He offered to drop Maxine off at a friend’s house so he could make the cookie rounds. He packed up three plates with a sampling of each batch and dropped one with the family of the friend Maxine was visiting and then his two favorites. When the praises rolled in, he smiled widely, quite satisfied with the endeavor.
My Corner of the Village 