Cookies will be the death of me.
After a long day spent baking in the kitchen, if I don’t give most away, things will get dangerous.
Recently, the first thing Roy mentions when we attend Christmas parties is that I’ve only baked since we’ve been home. In other words, he’s moping over the fact that I haven’t made anything he loves. But it’s not my fault the guy doesn’t have a sweet tooth!
But that’s why having my best friend around again works out. Stephanie will eat anything and everything–and a lot of it. Which means now I can bring over an abnormally large tupperware full of Christmas cookies and we’ll sit on the floor and watch Once Upon A Time and roll our eyes because we can hear the boys playing videogames in the living room.
ZONE A IS LOST. CAPTURE ZONE B.
Aside from Gingerbread, I’m completely new to which cookies are Christmas appropriate and which aren’t. But I’m almost positive now that Linzer Cookies are a winter thing (right?). I also tried Boysenberry for the first time (in pie form), as it’s one of Roy’s favorite kinds of pie. Does anyone remember that one YouTube video, Muffins??? #BOYSUNBURRY
I braved the crowds at the mall and found a set of six Martha Stewart Collection Linzer cookie cutters on sale at Macy’s for $9, arguably my favorite purchase that day. You need Linzer cookie cutters! Unless you’re able to find various tiny shapes and a larger circular one in your collection of random cookie cutters, then maybe you can skip this step. But if not, buy some. It’s pretty necessary and they’re relatively inexpensive.
As promised, I’m excited to share more photos from my time spent in Hawaii! Last night we had dinner at Roy’s house and ate lobster and steak and sweet potatoes and kale salad. Afterwards, we stopped by a Christmas party for some of the relatives on my mom’s side. Then I brought cookies for Stephanie’s parents and we hung out and played board games.
In Hawaii, we don’t wear shoes in the house. At a family gathering or a get together with friends, the shoes slippers always come off. Yes, slippers = flip flops here! Little quirks like this that are unique to life on the island is what warms my heart and keeps it extra cozy during the holidays. It’s nice to come back home and be reminded of traditions and a way of life that you grew up with.
Christmas Eve is just around the corner and I’m planning on another Apple Pie and Macarons! In the mean time, I have to get started on finish wrapping gifts and build little terrariums for some of the presents too. See you guys in a few days!
Macadamia Nut Linzer Cookies + Boysenberry Jam
Recipe makes 2 dozen cookies.
2/3 cup macadamia nuts (or nut preferred)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
12 oz. jar of boysenberry jam
powdered sugar for sprinkling
1. Use a food processor to blend the macadamia nuts and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar until finely ground.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. In the bowl of a standmixer or using a handmixer, whip the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and vanilla extract. Reduce the speed of the mixer and slowly add in the flour.
4. Dump the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Split into two balls, then flatten into 5 inch discs. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill in fridge for 2 hours.
5. Preheat the oven to 350F. Roll out the chilled dough on your floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness, using a lightly floured rolling pin. Use cookie cutters to cut out the cookies from the dough. Make sure you have an even number of whole cookies and ones with the middle cut out.
6. Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake for 10 – 15 minutes.
7. Remove the cookies from the oven and let cool. Once completely cool, collect the cookies with shapes in the middle. Use a sieve to sprinkle a heavy coating of powdered sugar over the cookies.
8. With the whole cookies, spread a layer of jam on the bottom side. Then find a cookie dusted with powdered sugar and secure the two together to make a sandwich.