Chewy Macaroons

Preheat the oven to 325 F (160 C)

2 Baking Sheets lined with parchment paper

Ingredients

6 cups (600 g) sweetened shredded coconut
1 can (14 oz or 300 mL) full-fat sweetened condensed milk
1 TBSP (15 mL) vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a large bowl stir together the coconut, condensed milk and vanilla until the coconut is well coated.

2. Drop in 1-tablespoon (15 mL) mounds onto the prepared baking sheets spacing them about 1 ½ inches (4 cm) apart.

3. Bake one sheet at a time on the middle rack; of the preheated oven; until lightly browned around the edges; about 10 to 12 minutes.

4. Let cool on the baking sheet on a wire rack for 5 minutes before transferring the macaroons to the rack to cool completely.

Tips

1. Be sure to scrape out the tin of condensed milk, I find tiny spatulas ideal for this job. Simply pouring the milk from the can may leave behind a good 2 TBSP (30 mL) and will adversely affect the final results.

2. Substitute 1 ½ teaspoons (7 mL) pure almond extract for the vanilla if you want an almond taste.

3. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Cookbook Library Haul (Dec 20)

1. Delish: 275+ Recipes and Ideas - Joanna Saltz
2. The Good Housekeeping Christmas Cookbook
3. Taste of Home Slowcooker Through the Year
4. Taste of Home Christmas
5. Robin Hood Baking
6. The Pioneer Women Cooks - Ree Drummond
7. Slow Cooker Comfort Food - Hope Comerfold
8. Ainsley's Caribbean Kitchen - Ainsley Harriot

English Toffee

Ingredients 

1 tablespoon plus 2 cups butter, softened, divided
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1.  Grease a 15x10x1-in. pan with 1 tablespoon butter; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, melt the remaining butter. Add the sugar, corn syrup and salt; cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 295° (hard-crack stage). Quickly pour into prepared pan. Let stand at room temperature until cool, about 1 hour.

2.  In a microwave, melt chocolate chips;stir until smooth. Spread over toffee. Sprinkle with pecans. Let stand for 1 hour Break into bite-size pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Editor's Note: We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.

Easy Chocolate Clusters

 

Ingredients

2 pounds white candy coating, broken into small pieces
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
4 ounces German sweet chocolate, chopped
1 jar (24 ounces) dry roasted peanuts

Directions

1.  In a 3-qt. slow cooker, combine the candy coating, chocolate chips and German chocolate. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 1 hour longer or until melted, stirring every 15 minutes.

2.  Stir in peanuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until set. Store at room temperature.

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

2 cups milk
2 heaping TBSP cocoa
2 heaping TBSP brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
1/2 cup peanut butter

Directions

Whisk everything together in a small pot and bring to a simmer for a moment or two. Serve in your favourite mugs and share with someone special.

Cookbook Mail (Dec 6th)

From soft and chewy basics to sandwich cookies, biscotti, macarons, and Florentines, easy recipes to help home bakers master the art of cookies, including tips for gluten-free, vegan, and high-altitude baking

With its "baking 101" approach, Cookies for Everyone has something for every baker -- naturally gluten-free recipes, with easy swaps for vegan or nut-free options, even including instructions for baking at any altitude.

Mimi's Tips and Tricks walk readers through key steps and techniques, demystifying baking; her clear instructions cover everything from basic cookies to sandwich cookies and biscotti. And for anyone who thinks more sophisticated cookies (such as macarons and Florentines) are impossible to make at home, let alone for "special diets," think again -- Mimi's excellent counsel will have you baking up a storm in no time.