Sometimes I get the urge to bake something simple. Mostly because I really want to bake but do not have the time for something overly elaborate. I think these homemade cookies fall into that category. They are lovely and simple, but not too complicated.
I have been thinking about different creams, ganaches and fillings for the array of macarons I am currently making. I was then reminded of this recipe that I have wanted to make for a while. The filling is very similar to the Rose Macarons with Raspberry Cream that I made a few months back.
It is nice to have a break from macaron making. Well, while the egg whites are aging, anyway!
{ Raspberry Cream Cookies }
Adapted from Martha Stewart Cookies
* Ingredients *
1 3/4 cups all-purpose / plain flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 sticks or 150g unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups plus 2 teaspoons sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise, seeds scraped and reserved
6 ounces or 180g fresh raspberries
7 1/2 ounces or 225g best-quality white chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup heavy cream
* Directions *
Preheat oven to 180F or 350F. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
Mix butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add egg, extract, and vanilla seeds; mix until smooth. Reduce speed to low. Gradually mix in flour mixture.
Scoop batter using an ice cream scoop; space 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
Bake cookies 4 minutes. Remove from oven; gently tap baking sheets on counter to flatten cookies. Return to oven, switching positions of sheets; bake until cookies are just set, 4 to 6 minutes more. Let cool on parchment on wire racks.
Puree raspberries and remaining 2 teaspoons sugar in a food processor. Pour mixture through a fine sieve into a small bowl, pressing to extract juice; discard seeds. Set mixture aside.
Melt white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Remove from heat; whisk in cream in a slow stream. Whisk in reserved raspberry mixture. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
Spread 1 heaping teaspoon raspberry cream on the undersides of half the cookies. Sandwich with remaining cookies. Cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container up to 2 days.
Makes 3 dozen
June 28, 2009 at 10:37 am
What delightful cookies! Mmmhhh, I’m drooling!
Cheers,
Rosa
June 28, 2009 at 1:15 pm
wow…that looks incredible. I’ve tried making cookie sandwiches before, but always ended up 1) eating them while making and 2) breaking them. yours look So pretty and perfect!
June 28, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Yummy! I love these kinds of simple bakes, and often alternate between bigger projects and something that’s more instantly rewarding, like those cookies.
June 28, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Very pretty looking and of course delightful as well.
June 29, 2009 at 5:48 am
Wonderful job on the challenge. I love the layout of your blog, particularly the quadrant of photos that accompany the name of the recipe. It is very clean and visually appealing. I’d love to add you to my blog roll!
June 29, 2009 at 6:13 am
Ok, these just went on the TO BAKE list ! Love it. And looks like Martha Stewart never lets you down, huh ?
Question – just how many different colored kitchen towels do you have? 😉 Each one in your photos looks like it was just meant to be with the cookie/pastry in the shot ! So beautiful. Again, you have this whole food photography down to a science! Mmm, wish I had one of these cookies right now !!
I could already taste them, with that photo above, the crackly top, I can just feel the texture !! Perfect.
June 29, 2009 at 7:44 am
Great looking cookies! Love the combination of ingredients. The raspberries are so beautiful right now… I’m constantly looking for ways to use them.
June 30, 2009 at 5:14 am
I love the texture of these cookies – so pretty! And raspberries… yum!
June 30, 2009 at 8:35 am
they are so pretty, and sound so delicious!
July 9, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Rosa – they were so delicious. Especially the raspberry cream. I will make that again.
Sophia – I often sneak some tastes in when I’m baking. It’s so hard to resist. And besides, you’ve got to make sure it’s okay before you share it, right?!!
Y – exactly. Sometimes you just need something simple to bake. I can’t make macarons everyday! 😉
Elra – thank you. I love the red/pink colour. I’m a girly, girl so suits me. 🙂
looking and of course delightful as well.
Beth – welcome. So glad you like. I loved your bakewell tart for the DB challenge. The quadrant photo idea was not planned. I once had three nice photos and wanted to post them all. This was the solution! 🙂
Kerrin, Kerrin, Kerrin – you always know what to say. So have I story for you re: tea towels. Yes, I actually do have a few. Probably about 20 or so. But last Christmas at work we have this big gift swap tradition. So everyone brings in something worth $10. You get a number, and when your number is called, you can pick something (wrapped) from the table, or take a gift that someone else has already opened. My boss got a package of tea towels. Immediately, my eyes lit up. I wanted those tea towels. I was so worried someone else would be coveting them. (No need, apparently!) Anyway, when my number came up, I boldly strolled up and took the tea towels. Everyone thought I was crazy. I told them I had a good use for each of them! 🙂
Eileen, the raspberry cream was divine. It could be used in any cookie sandwich.
Patricia – the crackly texture of the cookie is lovely, isn’t it?
Steph – thank you. They were delicious. You should try!
July 13, 2009 at 7:39 am
Swiping the tea towels from your boss, eh? Good move ! And only 20 or so? Not bad… I won’t tell you how many I have, ha ha!!
Probably 20 or so…!
SAME ! 🙂
September 4, 2009 at 9:56 pm
How beautiful these cookies! Sounds amazing!