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It’s the MOST wonderful time of the year….

~ stephzuniga ~ Leave a comment

…nope not Christmas.  Thanksgiving.  

Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday of all time of the whole year.  It’s not typically celebrated in Australia, but I love celebrating it.  This year is no different.  We (I) am hosting a Thanksgiving Potluck for a few American friends.  I’m doing the turkey and corn casserole (and mash potatoes)everyone is bringing side dishes so it should be quite the feast.  

I mean Thanksgiving is the purest holiday I can think of.  Every family does it differently, there’s no need for gifts, and everyone can celebrate it.  It’s truly an opportunity to come together and hang out and eat.  What could be better!!!???!!

It’s great to see it gradually seep into Australian life– mainly through Americans but it’s seeping in nonetheless.  I’m doing my part to spread it.  This week’s cookies are Pumpkin Chocolate Chip because, well, Thanksgiving.

What else is happening? Still enjoying my spring/summer break!   We are gearing up for Christmas and the big birthday in a few weeks.  I can’t believe my baby is turning 9!  And on that topic, we went out for a family dinner the other night at Ms G’s and I was MOST impressed!  He ate everything we ordered and loved every bit of it.  We didn’t even order special “kid” things and he even tried (multiple bites) of the steak tartare.  I was shocked and also quite pleased and impressed.

Also, I caught up with some girlfriends for brunch at Theeca and we tried Savoury Chocolate toast.  I didn’t know what to expect- sourdough, chocolate mousse, olive oil, sea salt.  Ummmm, possibly the best thing I’ve EVER eaten for breakfast.  Seriously, life changing in the best way possible.

This has been a weekend of excellent eating.  Not going to lie- from the Thanksgiving Pie Bake off on Friday, to trying the new burger place on Friday night to Ms Gs last night and breakfast this morning at Theeca.  It’s been a weekend full of good food and great friends– no better way to kick off Thanksgiving week!

The quickest year ever

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I don’t know if it’s all the cookies or if time is actually moving faster, but this has been the quickest year ever.  It’s November- NOVEMBER!!!  I forgot to write last week because despite not working, I’ve actually been SUPER busy.   Last week, I made the Gojuchang Cookies again and also Playdate Cookies from Dinner: A love story which I’m sure I’ve made before too.

I was in Melbourne on Tuesday for a fun fun fun secret squirrel day involving Millionaire Hot Seat (Say Less, Steph, SAY LESS!)  There were cookies involved and trivia and a stop at Higher Ground in Melbourne- a place that’s usually my favorite cafe in Melbourne, however it left me SUPER disappointed this time around.   I had a Miso Ham and Cheese toastie that was WAY overpriced and very average…. So now I”m looking for a new favourite Melbourne Cafe.  Any ideas???

We also had a very cute food experience- Le Petit Chef at the Intercontinental Hotel in Double Bay. It was very fun, very cute, very unique.

I’ve also been poling, pickleballing and tennis playing but the super exciting thing is that it’s November, which means Thanksgiving.  It absolutely does NOT mean that Christmas is 5 weeks away.  ABSOLUTELY NOT ready for Christmas.  But, Thanksgiving, yes please!!!

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving and fall and pumpkins, I made Pumpkin Spice Latte cookies.

Full disclosure, I’m not a huge fan of pumpkin spice lattes.  I had one once and it was meh.  But I do LOVE pumpkin spice and often will season sweet potatoes with pumpkin spice and occasionally will put it into my ground coffee before I brew it.

What I do love is everything Thanksgiving, it’s the best holiday and one that doesn’t get nearly enough air time in Australia.  Maybe the next two weeks of pumpkin theme cookies will help.  Maybe not but I’ll enjoy it.

I also made Chocolate Sprinkle Birthday Cookies from Christina Tosi’s Milk Bar Kids Only Book.

Ok and since it is close to Christmas, it’s time to make my Christmas cookbook wishlist. What’s going to be on it this year?? Could I possibly find room for yet another Cookie Cookbook??? Only time (and Santa) will tell!

Wish me luck for another big week!

 

Are these the best yet?

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I know I ask that question every week- but it’s because every week someone tells me that these cookies are “the best yet!”  But this week’s are pretty good.  

Another Cookies and Crumbs success story- this time the Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies.  I have to say, it could be my new favourite cookie cookbook.  Actually, every time someone has told me, “These are the best cookies yet!”  They’ve been from this cookbook!  I’m sensing a trend here!  So, if you’re thinking of buying a cookbook- I highly recommend Cookies and Crumbs!

I also made Bourbon Chocolate Crack Cookies but they didn’t actually crack!  They were only meant to stay in the fridge for 1-2 hours but I left them in overnight and they– well went a bit flat!  But they were SOOOOOOO tasty!   They didn’t look great but they tasted amazing.  

Not sure what next week’s cookies will be– I’m still loving the boozy cookie vibes and also the Cookies and Crumbs vibes! 

A first time for everything

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Firstly, apologies for the lateness of my post.  I only realised as I was looking for THIS week’s cookies that I hadn’t written about LAST week’s cookies yet!  So, here it goes, better late than never…

This week, I did something I’ve never done before…. Asked Chat GPT for a recipe.  I’m doing my best to embrace AI and live in the future- or at least the now, and so I thought I would spice up my week by using Chat GPT for this week’s cookies.  

I hear you asking, “why?”   Why, with a house full of cookbooks and an internet full of recipes, would I turn to ChatGPT??   For fun… and to continue my streak of boozy cookies.  Quite frankly, I (and several other people) are digging the boozy cookies vibe.   The alcohol adds something special to the cookies.  And with the current state of the world, most people I know need a little something special.  So- this week, I wanted to try making ANZAC biscuits again- I wasn’t happy with last week’s efforts so I wanted to try again.  So, I thought I would shake things up and add something special to them but I couldn’t find a recipe for boozy ANZAC biscuits- so I asked ChatGPT.  And it delivered!  Spiced Rum ANZAC biscuits are amazing— however, I was told later that it’s un-Australian to alter the ANZAC Biscuit recipe… not sure why, but that’s what I was told.  So, I’ll have to find another name for what I made- Maybe Drunken ANZAC cookies, or Rum Rebellion Cookies– not too sure yet but they’re not ANZAC biscuits.

I also made Mango, Coconut and Chilli Cookies.  I used Tajin seasoning so they weren’t really Chilli but they were delicious!  Also, from my Cookies & Crumbs cookbook. TBH mango is really good in cookies. This might warrant further exploration now that I have mango powder…

This week though, we’re doing the Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies from Cookies & Crumbs– very excited because so far this cookbook hasn’t disappointed! And we’re also doing Bourbon Dark Chocolate Crack Cookies.

They can’t all be winners…

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This week I attempted Anzac Biscuits from Some of My Best Friends Are Cookies… and well, I was disappointed by them. They were flat, and not great. I didn’t have enough coconut and I used dark brown sugar instead of just brown sugar, and I can honestly say they weren’t my best work. I mean, no one has actively complained about them (but no one really complains about free cookies) but deep down I know they’re not my best work. I do want to try again- maybe with Spiced Rum Anzac Biscuits or Whiskey Anzac Biscuits- but we’ll see. I’m a little bit wary of Anzac Biscuits now and thinking maybe I should stay in my lane and leave the Anzac Biscuits to actual Australians.

I also made these guys- Brown Butter Bourbon Chocolate Chip Cookies and again, meh. They’re a cakier cookie than I normally go for. I should have been tipped off by the 3 eggs in the recipe. I know some people like cakey cookies, but I was underwhelmed. They’re not bad, but they could do with less egg and more bourbon flavour.

But hey, not every serve can be an ace. This week it feels like a double fault, but again, no one complains about free cookies! On a positive note, apparently last week’s gluten free cookies were amazing! I got great feedback on those so HIGHLY Recommend!

More boozy cookies, and yes, I take requests now

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I am not a gluten-free girlie, however I totally respect that some people are. So when a trainer at my gym asked if I could make gluten-free cookies, of course I said yes. It also gave me the opportunity to test out one of my new birthday cookbooks- Cookies & Crumbs. It did NOT disappoint!

The Runner said that these guys, the Triple Choc & Oat Gluten Free Cookies were the best he’s ever had. And The Kid ate one and didn’t complain at all, so I think they’re a hit!

I also made Spiced Rum Snickerdoodles – again Alcohol+Cookies=Vibe! Also, all the cinnamon in the snickerdoodles made the house smell amazing- 10/10

A big shout out as well to the other two cookbooks I got for my birthday- Cooking in Real Life, the Champagne Chicken was AMAZING and a great excuse to open a bottle of champagne on a Sunday! And Jamie Oliver’s Easy Airfryer Cookbook– the brussel sprouts AND roast potatoes were next level! LOVED!

Whiskey and Cookies…

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Is the exact energy I’m bringing into my 45th trip around the sun. It’s my birthday this week.

I do love my birthday- and the best thing about it being on a Wednesday, is I get to celebrate for two weekends- not just one. It’s been a good week of celebrations so far- a family trip to the footy, family dinner, and a mother-son date night to go see Annie The Musical.

Who knows what fun this week will hold– but I’m sticking with the Boozy cookie theme (again)! This week, it’s Chocolate Chip Cookies with Tennesee Whiskey (Jack Daniel’s). They’re pretty good! It just gives subtle flavours- nothing too crazy but they’re good!

And in other news, I’m planning to do another dance competition…. my theme: Cookie Monster!

Another week, another boozy cookie…

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I’m not sure how I’ve gotten into the alcoholic cookie phase of baking but here we are yet again. I wanted to make these Tennesse Whiskey and Chocolate Chip cookies but we only had fancy whiskey in our liquor cabinet… and well, I didn’t want to risk the wrath of The Runner by using one of his good bottles or Scotch or Whiskey or whatever in a batch of cookies.

Any of you want to be in a cookie???

So I’ll save the Tennesee Whiskey cookies for next week- I’ll have to buy a tiny airplane sized bottle of Jack Daniel’s and hope that no one sees me. Not that there’s shame in drinking Jack Daniel’s but I do wonder who buys those tiny little bottles- and why? Anyway, that’s next week’s problem.

Next week’s other problem, what kind of cookies will I make for MY VERY OWN BIRTHDAY???? There are so many yummy ones I’ve made that I legitimately can’t choose! Maybe the Mexican Hot Chocolate ones?? Maybe the Van Stapele ones that kicked off this whole cookie madness??? Who knows!

This week, I made Kahlua Tia Maria Chocolate Chip Cookies. We didn’t have Kahlua so I improvised and they’re not so bad. I mean, last week’s Malibu Oatmeal Cookies were some of the best I’ve ever made. The Bailey’s Chocolate Chip ones were pretty good too…I think I’m onto something with my boozy cookie phase… I just need some more ideas for recipes!!!

Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day…

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…including the cookies.

And we all know I LOVE a good theme!
Last week I baked Guiness Chocolate Chip Cookies which were NOT as good as Nigella Lawson’s Guinness Chocolate Cake with Bailey’s frosting which is hands down, the all time best St Patrick’s Day dessert ever. But they were ok. I mean they weren’t great but they were passable.

I also made Bailey’s Chocolate Chip Cookies which could be my new favourite cookie. It sounds weird but it just works. The hint of Bailey’s flavour, the little bit of chocolate. LOVED These! I didn’t even ask other people what they thought of them. I loved them and will definitely make them again.

So this week, to continue with the theme of boozy cookies, and really with the way the world is going I don’t think alcohol and cookies are a BAD combo. The alcohol bakes out so I’m pretty sure they’re safe for kids!

So this week, we’re going with a rum theme!

Chewy Spiced Rum Chocolate Chip cookies and Malibu Rum Raisin Oatmeal Cookies. I was contemplating not baking this week (our dishwasher is broken and I HATE doing dishes) but then I found these recipes and I CANNOT wait a week to try them!

I’m a week behind…

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Because life has been busy and I’ve been adulting. For the first time in 5 years, I’m not working from home every day- and it’s an adjustment. But we’re four weeks in and I’m starting to settle into a pattern.

A pattern that involves almost constant motion and busyness. A pattern that is forcing me to be organised about everything. And a pattern where I’m still baking- but a bit behind on my writing!

So, let’s catch up! I’ve expanded my cookie empire… well, not really but I did bring them into my new job- and they were a hit. I refuse to make it a habit….REFUSE! Famous last words !

This week I made the Double Chocolate Chip Sprinkle Cookies from the I Heart Naptime cookbook. It’s a great cookbook with lots of recipes that can be made an under an hour, and most of them are crowd pleasers!

I also made (another) Christina Tosi cookie recipe from her All About Cookies cookbook. I made the Pretzel chocolate chunk cookies and they were great! I’m a massive fan of Christina Tosi- she’s the cookie whisperer.

Two weeks ago, I made Pat McCorkle’s Chocolate Chip Cookies from the One Big Table cookbook. I didn’t love them. They had oatmeal in them and I didn’t love the oatmeal chocolate chip combo. Some people did, I didn’t.

This week is a challenge- chocolate chip cookies. There are SO many recipes, so it’s hard to choose just one. Even my favourite bloggers and cookbook writers have MULTIPLE recipes for chocolate chip cookies on their sites- so how will I choose just one???

I’m tempted to try these althought not sure about the 24 hour resting time! I do love Smitten Kitchen so these could be great too! Or maybe we stick to Christina Tosi’s super easy recipe…. Or maybe we try a few and see how we go!