Baking Cookies - A

Everyone likes to bake cookies – here’s a list of some of the less familiar terms found in your favorite cookie recipes

A – almond paste – a paste made of finely ground blanced almonds

B – bake – to cook by dry heat, usually in an oven

Baking powder – a mixture of acid, baking soda, and starch or flour which reacts in the presence of liquid and heat to produce gas that leavens batters and doughs

Baking soda – an alkali which reacts with an acid such as sour milk or molasses to form a gas that leavens batters and doughs

Batter – a mixture of flour, liquid and other ingredients which is thin enough to be poured or dropped

Beat – to mix with and over-and over motion, using a spoon, rotary beater or electric beater
Eggs – slightly beaten: just enough to mix yolk and white; well beaten; beat until light and foamy
Yolks – slightly beaten: just enough so that the yolk loses its shape; well-beaten: beat until thick and lemon colored
Whites – slightly beaten; beat until foamy; stiffly beaten; beat until thick and forms stiff peaks

Blanch – to immerse briefly in boiling water, usually followed by quick cooling in cold water. Also, to scald by pouring boiling water over a food, as almost to loosen the skin.

Blend -- to combine two or more ingredients thoroughly

Brown sugar – a sugar obtained by boiling cane syrup from raw sugar. The amount of molasses retained gives the sugar its color and flavor. Brown sugar is labeled golden brown, light brown, dark brown. The darker the color, the more molasses present in the product. Used in baking and candy making. Light or dark brown sugar is used to give a butterscotch flavor to cookies. Brown sugar must be firmly packed if ¼ cup or more is used. If granulated brown sugar is used refer to box label for substitute table.

Candy Surprises

2 cups flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ c. firmly packed brown sugar
½ c. butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
½ c. creamy peanut butter
8 (7/8 ounce) milk chocolate candy bars
Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except the peanut butter, candy and powdered sugar – blend well
2. Spread half the dough in an ungreased 11x7-inch pan
3. Place the candy bars over the dough
4. Smooth the peanut butter over the candy

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes
When cool sprinkle with powdered sugar – cut into bars