A first time for everything

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.

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

…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!

Rum Balls and Gingerbread

The festive season is here!!!! Yes, December is officially upon us and Santa is nearly here- and I’m tired already. Something about having a child born 5 days before Christmas makes this season HECTIC.

So I didn’t bake this week- I blame the (nearly) 8 year old and his birthday party- but it could also be that the week before I went ALL out. I made Gingerbread Latte Cookies , Gingerbread Snickerdoodles and Rum Balls (no link but I did combine a US recipe and 2 Australian ones- here and here!) So this week to be honest, I didn’t bake at all… BUT I did make Rum balls AGAIN!

And I’m a Rum Ball convert. I was never a big fan of them- possibly because I wasn’t allowed to eat them as a kid… they have actual rum in them! But I LOVE them now. They’re easy to make (although in the Aussie heat they take a bit of logistical planning) and they’re tasty. Plus I feel SUPER festive when I make them- and because they don’t bake, they’re great for a summer treat. I can see why they’re a festive favorite!

Stay tuned to see what we bake this week- will we do Christmas cookies or just have a break and focus on Christmas dinner? We’ll see!