DIWALI COOKIES

Its time to indulge and get bewildered with some wonders and joy of festival cookies. We all become fine artists every year in our quest for the most creative decorations to adorn them . The baking and decorating of these time can be extremely labor intensive, albeit highly rewarding pursuit for young and old alike. Looking back, most of us have been involved in this annual ritual, in one form or another, for as long as we can remember. The traditional, highly decorated cookies with filling ,icing with a variety of designs, and many more have evolved over the years to include, sumptuous bars, decadent brownies and a wide variety of pungent spiced cookies, all with the aromas and flavors that evoke thoughts of the festivities. 

Cookies are now eaten any time of the day - coffee breaks, as a snack, for dessert, and even given as a welcoming gift.The multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multilingual society that exist in Malaysia has had an enormous impact on the variety of cookies  made and enjoyed here.

 Baking is an exact combination of creativity and science. Each cookie recipe will have a different method of preparation and serving. Experience has taught me that these methods must be adhered to in order to achieve the desired results. Elegant and delicious, these cookies are the perfect addition to your Diwali or holiday spread. The cookies are not too sweet ,just right for anyone's taste buds.For all the cookies prepared today ensure that you use sifted icing sugar and dry ingredients to get the best result !

Read more here: http://blogs.sacbee.com/shop_cheap/2010/12/c-is-for-cookie---holiday-reci.html#storylink=cpy

~*~Layered Milo Cookies~*~

200gm butter

130gm icing sugar

2 egg yolks

½ tsp vanilla essence

300gm plain flour

50gm corn flour

30gms grounded almonds

1 tbsp milo powder

1 tsp chocolate emulco

Decorating

Melted dark chocolate

Melted white chocolate

 Some chocolate decorates

 Method:

Beat butter,essence ,icing sugar and egg until creamy.

Fold in corn flour ,plain flour and grounded almonds.Combine well to form smooth dough.

Divide the doigh into 2 parts.Add milo and chocolate emulco to 1 part and another part remains original.

Roll the chocolate dough into flat sheet.Cut into ½ in width and roll original dough too and cut into ½ in width.

Place the chocolate dough on top of the original dough.Cut into 2 ,place on top again,to make into four layers.

Keep in the fridge. Cut using a square or rectangle cutter so that all the dough could be used .I only had oval cutter ,therefore used that.

Brush with beaten egg ,and bake in preheated oven at 140C for 30-35mins.

I have decorated the cookies with melted dark and white chocolate , and sprinkled some chocolate decorates.

~*~Cartwheel Cookies~*~

Ingredients:

200gm butter

80g icing sugar

2 egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla essence

350gm plain flour

½ tsp bicarbonate soda

For glazing:

1 egg yolk(beaten)

For decoration:

Some pumpkin seeds(coloured)

Method:

Cream butter,icing sugar,egg yolks and vanilla essence until light.Do not overbeat .Mix soda to plain flour and sieve. Fold in the flour into the batter.Combine to make into a dough.Place into a paper bag and roll out flat, cut using a cart wheel cutter.Place a heart shape or any shape cutter in the centre.Repeat process.Meanwhile,Preheat oven to 150C.Glaze the cookies with egg yolk. Decorate with coloured pumpkin seeds. Bake for 20-25mins.Cool the cookies before storing.

Glaze surface ,top with coloured pumpkin seeds.

Note: colour the seeds a day ahead with any choice of colouring Refrigerate . Use when needed. 

~*~Cheddar Cheese Cookies~*~

145 gm icing sugar

1 egg

250gm butter

320gm plain flour

80g potato flour

½ tsp bicarbonate soda

100gms grated red cheddar cheese

Red colouring (optional)

For decoration

Some chocolate flakes

Method:

Cream sieved sugar,butter,and egg together until light and fluffy.Sieve the dry ingredients and fold into the butter mixture alternately with the grated cheese.Spoon into piping bag and pipe rosettes on lined baking sheet.I have used double colouring and pipe out the cookies .Preheat oven at 150C . Decorate with chocolate flakes and bake for 20-25 mins .Cool before storing.

From right : Layered Milo Cookies,Cheddar Cheese Cookies ,Cartwheel Cookies

The above recipes will be submitted for the event Diwali Delicacies hosted currently by the very talented Priya of Priya's Versatile Recipes ,started by Sangee Vijay of Spicy Treats .

Spotlight :Festival Treats (Part 2 ) by Indrani of Recipe Junction ,currently hosted by Cuisine Delights .

Foodie Friday - A Room With A View For Two
Bake Fest #24 - hosted by Thou Shalt Cook ,brainchild of Vardhini of Cooks Joy
Melt In Your Mouth Monday (Recipe Blog Hop #139)hosted by
Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms
Inspire Me Monday hosted by Create With Joy