Recipe of the Week

I haven't started my holiday baking
quite yet but, when I do these will be
one of the first things that I make.

These cardamom spice cookies
from Martha Stewart, are a lovely
alternative to gingerbread.




















Cardamom Spiced Cookies

5 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces and softened
1 cup dark-brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup heavy cream, room temperature
1 large egg, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

** Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cardamom, allspice,
pepper, and cloves in a large bowl. Place butter in a mixer bowl.
Bring sugars, corn syrup, and water to a boil in a large saucepan,
stirring until sugar dissolves. Pour hot sugar mixture over butter,
then beat on low speed until combined.

**Beat cream, egg, and vanilla in a bowl, then add to butter mixture.
Beat on medium speed until well combined.

**Reduce speed to low, and add flour mixture,
beating until just incorporated. Divide dough into thirds,
and flatten each into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic, and refrigerate
overnight (or freeze for up to 1 month; thaw in the refrigerator).

**Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out 1 disk between
lightly floured parchment to 1/8-inch thickness.
Alternatively, the dough can be rolled out to 1/16-inch thickness
for a crisper cookie.

** Cut out shapes with holiday cookie cutters. Transfer cookies to
parchment-lined baking sheets, grouping similar sizes together and
spacing them 1 inch apart. Roll out and cut scraps once.
Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until
edges are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
(If making small cookies, start checking after 8 minutes.)
Transfer to wire racks, and let cool.
Cookies will keep, covered, for up to 2 weeks.


**Once everything is incorporated the dough can get very sticky. You'll want to throw in the towel but don't. After it chills it will be much easier to work with.