HAWAII-Melt in your mouth Shortbread Cookies

Today I am a happy woman.  While making the next recipe in the OUR COOKIE NATION series, I came to Hawaii's most requested recipe of shortbread.  I am a huge fan of shortbread cookies, and as far as shortbread recipes are concerned, this is the first "keeper" I have found.  Loved, loved, loved this cookie (my family said they wanted the cookie to be sweeter, but what do they know about shortbread? LOL).

And hello, 4 ingredients!!!!!!!!!

Grade B+

Melt-in-your-mouth Shortbread

1 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1/4c. cornstarch

1 1/2 c. all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium size mixing bowl whip butter until fluffy.  Stir in the powdered sugar, cornstarch and flour.  Beat on low  for 1 minute until combined, and then on high for 3 to 4 minutes.  The dough will become smoother and creamier as you mix it.

Drop by spoonfuls 2" apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 12-15 min. watching that the edges don't become too brown.  Cool on wire racks and decorate if desired.

Recipe source:  Allrecipes.com Melt in your mouth Shortbread

FLORIDA and TEXAS-Mexican Wedding Cookies-Our Cookie Nation

The other day I realized we are almost 1/2 way through the 2011 year, and I am WAY WAY WAY behind in completing my series OUR COOKIE NATION.  Geez!  So I will be working frantically to catch up on my cookie making list.
I am skipping the cookie most requested by the beautiful state of Georgia because it is Fruitcake Cookies.  I'll make them toward the end of the year...
Here is our next cookie in the 50 States, 50 Cookies list, from the state of Florida & Texas:

Grade A+

MEXICAN WEDDING COOKIES

1 c. butter

1/2 c. white sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tsp. water

2 c. all purpose flour

1 c. chopped almonds

1/2 c. powdered sugar

In a medium bowl cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Stir in the vanilla and water.  Add the flour and almonds and mix until well incorporated.  Cover and chill for 3 hours.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Scoop the dough into balls about the size of a walnut. Roll in your hands to shape, or make into crescent shapes.  Place on ungreased baking sheets, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cool the cookies on wire racks.  When the cookies are cool, roll each cookie in the powdered sugar.  Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

THESE COOKIES WERE A BIG HIT WITH EVERYONE WHO ATE THEM, AND MY FAMILY ARE IN LOVE WITH THEM TOO!  Very easy to make, these cookies are very flavorful.

Note:  I used 1 c. chopped pecans because my family prefers them to almonds.
Also, I think these would make a great cookie for a baby shower. Tinting the powdered sugar with a powdered food coloring in pink, blue, yellow, purple, green etc. would turn these into a fun presentation!

recipe source: Allrecipes.com Mexican Wedding Cookies

Chocolate Boston Cream Pie

So...this dessert was inspired by 2 recipes that I have posted recently:

Lighter Boston Cream Pie

and

Chocolate Angel Food Cake

My family really loves the Boston cream pie recipe so I thought that changing it up a bit would be fun. IT WAS!
Here is my combined and adapted recipe for...

Chocolate Boston Cream Pie

1 prepared round chocolate angel food cake

1 (3.4 oz.) box JELL-O vanilla instant pudding mix

1 1/2 c. cold milk

1 c. frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided

1 square semi-sweet baking chocolate, chopped

Slice the angel food cake horizontally into 3 layers.

Beat the pudding mix and milk in a medium size bowl for 2 minutes.  Stir in 1/2 c. whipped topping.  Chill for 15-20 minutes until thickened.

Place 1st layer of angel food cake on your serving plate, and spread 1/3 of the pudding mix over the cake.  

Place the second layer on top of the 1st layer and spread 1/3 of pudding mix on top.  

Place the 3rd layer of cake on top and top with remaining pudding mix.

Prepare glaze by melting the the chopped square of baking chocolate and the remaining 1/2 c. whipped topping in a bowl in the microwave.  Use 20 second increments to melt the chocolate, stirring in between each time until chocolate is completely melted and whipped topping is combined.  Pour over the top layer of cake. 

Chill for 1-2 hours, then serve and enjoy!  After the cake has been refrigerated overnight the cake is and filling are more set and less sloppy.  We love the cake the second day (if any survives the 1st one).

I'm admitting we didn't wait the additional chilling time after the cake was assembled, it was a bit messier but soooo yummy!

A note:  I think the next time I make this recipe in the chocolate cake version I am going to try using chocolate fudge pudding mix...and maybe fresh raspberries in the layers.  I think a white chocolate glaze would be divine with this combo!

Chocolate Angel food Cake

Have you ever read friedalovesbread.blogspot.com?  
I adore her blog, she has wonderful recipe's with some great tutorials, and a fun sense of humor!
I follow her religiously and I've picked up some delicious stuff from her blog including this divine cake recipe...

Chocolate Angel Food Cake

1 1/2 c. egg whites (10-12 large eggs)

1 1/2 c. Sifted powdered sugar

1 c. sifted cake or all purpose flour

(I used all purpose flour)

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. white sugar

Move your oven rack to the lowest level and then preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In an extra large mixing bowl allow the eggs whites to stand at room temp. for 30 minutes.

Sift together the powdered sugar, flour and cocoa.  Repeat the sifting 3 times and then set aside.

Add the cream of tartar and vanilla to the egg whites, and then beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Frieda explains that the peaks will curl when the beaters are lifted from the mixture.

Gradually add the white sugar, 2 Tablespoons at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (peaks will stand straight up when you pull the beaters up out of the mixture).  I used my Kitchen Aide stand mixer for all of this, I think it would have taken longer to do this with a hand mixer.

Sift about 1/4 of the dry ingredient mix over the beaten egg whites and gently fold in.  Repeat with the remaining dry ingredients adding 1 quarter at a time.

Pour the batter into an ungreased 10" tube pan.  Gently cut through the batter with a knife to release any air bubbles.

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched.

Remove the cake from the oven and immediately invert the cake. If the cake has risen about the edge of the pan, place it over a funner or bottle.  Cool thoroughly.

Loosen the sides of the cake from the pan, and remove to a serving plate.

Frieda suggests serving this cake with fresh fruit and whipped cream which I know is a divine combination.  However I made this cake as part of another dessert... that recipe to be posted in the next couple of days...

But really, see what I mean about  

Frieda's Chocolate Angel Food Cake? 

Outstanding recipe and blog! Check it out, and you should 

really be following her, she will inspire you!

Recipe source: Frieda Loves Bread Blog