Cookie Cravings

In case you don't know us very well, we are VERY fond of food at Grass Roots. We are fond of cooking and baking and eating and sharing and reading about food. Most of us come from small households, so any baking tends to yield shareable amounts, because really--who can eat that many cookies??? Well, as a team we manage quite well, thank you. And cookies continue to tempt, especially with such a fantastic selection of cookbooks focused on cookies out this fall. Get comfortable with a glass of milk while I tell you about my favorites.

Hardcover, $18.00

Gourmet magazine is heartbreakingly missed, but at least the publisher still collects the best recipes from its pages and compiles them in a book. Recently they published The Gourmet Cookie Book, and I have to say: I WANT IT. I can assure you that the Polish Apricot-Filled Cookies are labor-intensive, but completely delicious and worth it. (Grandma used to make Kolacky, which I suspect are the same thing. Gourmet's are better than Grandma used to make. Don't tell her I said that.) And there are the Scandinavian Rosettes that my Honey would like...and Glittering Lemon Sandwich Cookies...and Chocolate Peppermint Bar Cookies... Beyond all this goodness, the photography is FANTASTIC. I hope you don't have to wait until Christmas to lay your hands on this one...

Paperback, $25.95

Sometimes when you're craving a cookie, you're not exactly certain what it is you're craving, but you might be able to describe it as crunchy, crispy, chewy or gooey. That's where Alice Medrich's book Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cookies comes in. Do not fear, since she also explores Chunky and Flakey, insuring there's something for everyone. The book is short on photography (I really love to see what I'm baking) but long on creativity. Some of her recipes delve into dietary restrictions, and some explore unique flavors. When I say there's something for everybody, I really mean it!

Paperback, $19.95

Now that we've baked all of these cookies, what are we going to do with them? Bestowing them on our co-workers and customers is an obvious option that we delight in. If we ever decide to get organized and plan a holiday cookie exchange, Very Merry Cookie Party: How to plan and Host a Christmas Cookie Exchange, by Barbara Grunes and Virgina Van Vynckt. Now then, right on the front cover this book are some spritz cookies. I LOVE me some spritz cookies! I even have an electric cookie press just like Grandma used to use. It's like a gun that shoots cookie dough, and it makes a very satisfying "WHIRRRRR" sound when I use it. That is neither here nor there, but I like the sentimental factor of finding spritz cookies in this book. AND there's a recipe for Toffee Squares. It's like another little shout out to Grandma Kelm from this book! This book also helps you plan your Cookie Party, offering themes and ideas for appropriate accoutrements.

I am ready for my hot cocoa now!  Really. NOW. Time to explore these recipes some more and create a little treat for the store. I'll let you know how it goes...

See you at the bookstore, brushing crumbs off the counter!

Pamela.