First of all, bonne année! And thank you for reading this. It has become much more fun to blog as more people have started to read my blog and leave comments. I hope everyone has lots of fun in 2010, with less stress and more time with family and friends.
Every month, Sweet and Simple Bakes posts a recipe for people to bake and write about on their blogs. I have wanted to participate for months, but I tend to procrastinate, and then only realize that I don’t have the necessary ingredients when it’s too late. So I made sure to bake December’s recipe, cranberry, pecan and white chocolate cookies, well in advance of the deadline.
Although I overbaked them a bit, these cookies were yummy, with the sweetness of the chocolate tempered by the tart cranberries. The pecans (I lightly toasted them beforehand) and oats also contributed lots of flavor. Instead of using white chocolate, I used dark chocolate chips since they were easier to find. Next time I make them, I might reduce the amount of chocolate, since I prefer the flavors of butter, nuts and fruit. But I think I’m in the minority there and most people want as much chocolate as they can get!
This was also the first time I used my beautiful brand-new digital scale, which can measure in both grams and ounces. I'm a little late in jumping on the kitchen scale bandwagon. I brought measuring cups with me from the states when I moved to France, but recipes here usually list the ingredients by weight, not volume. I like to think that I finally bought a scale because I wanted greater accuracy in measuring, but the truth is that I’m lazy and got tired of having to perform mathematical calculations when baking.
One benefit that I didn’t expect is that using a scale is much faster than using measuring cups. You can weigh one ingredient first, and then set the scale to 0 and add the next ingredient to the same bowl, and keep going until everything is ready to go. The only problem I have is that I tend to pour too much into the bowl, so I have to remove some flour or sugar or whatever until I reach the correct weight. No big deal. I'm such a fanatical convert that I already actually prefer using the scale over the measuring cups, and get annoyed when recipe writers don't list both measurements. Go figure.
Bonne Annee Jennifer, yes it is great when you get followers and more comments, it makes it more worthwhile too!!
Your cookies look tasty mmmm! Oh yes I find recipes I like and they are done in cups..!
Take care
Anne
ps...trying to sort out a date to come over, won't be for a few months yet..will keep you posted.
Posted by: anne | January 02, 2010 at 09:45 PM
Hey there Jennifer!!
First of all... Happy New Year to you!! I'm glad you are enjoying the "blogging" thing.. I think it's great, personally! And it brings people closer... Anyhow... congrats on your cookies... even if you say you overbaked.. No worries... dip them in coffee or milk (if you have any left, that is).. Crunchy cookies are good, too!
I'll let you know how my galette des rois turns out... I'm nervous!
Take care,
Leesa
Posted by: Leesa | January 03, 2010 at 12:59 AM
Hello Jennifer. I too am thankful for this bloggy thing and am very glad to have you as a new bloggy buddy this year.
Posted by: Jenny N | January 03, 2010 at 03:56 AM
Hi Anne: thanks, it is more fun when your blog becomes more interactive. I'm looking forward to seeing you again sometime in 2010!
Leesa: thanks for stopping by and commenting! Even though my cookies probably weren't as soft as they should have been, they were still good. Your galette looks great!
Jenny N: Thanks, I'm glad too to have met you this way... hope we get to meet in person someday!
Posted by: Jennifer K | January 03, 2010 at 01:04 PM
I loved these cookies too... they were delicious, weren't they.
Posted by: usha | January 09, 2010 at 04:45 AM
Your cookies turned out beautiful. Mine were flat and over crisp. Great job.
Posted by: Joanne | January 09, 2010 at 03:22 PM
Your cookies look delicious ! Congrats on a job well done and hope you are a regular member on Sns in the new year !!
Posted by: Dips | January 10, 2010 at 05:29 AM
I have been debating about getting a kitchen scale since my baking adventures have expanded more beyond just chocolate chip cookies :-) Good to hear such good things about them! Thanks for baking the cookies with us!
Posted by: Tessa | January 10, 2010 at 06:08 AM
These were great cookies and yours look particularly good. Shame S&S looks like it's coming to an end - just as you got started.
Posted by: Choclette | January 10, 2010 at 02:21 PM
Ciao ! I loved this cookies ! Yours look perfect !
Posted by: natalia | January 10, 2010 at 03:59 PM
Great looking cookies ;0)
Posted by: Chele | January 10, 2010 at 06:59 PM
I made these cookies and we love them. It is a nice combination of flavors.
Posted by: Chaya | January 13, 2010 at 05:48 AM