Sunday, July 24, 2011

Lime Infused Shortbread


Lime infused just sounds fancy, right?  :)  Well these aren't "fancy" cookies, but they are super yummy!

In the middle of the heat wave I decided a needed some cookies that were "refreshing," if possible, and that didn't require me to spend much time near the oven.  These cookies were quick to make and they are very light in flavor.  

I used my all time favorite shortbread recipe and made a few modifications. 

Shortbread
1 cup butter room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. almond extract
3 tsp. fresh lime zest
2 cups flour

Glaze
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. lime zest
3 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup toasted almonds

Toast your almonds. 

Mix butter and sugar together on med for 1 minute.  Add the almond extract and lime zest.  ( I recently read a tip somewhere, can't remember where, that the white under the green skin is bitter, so make sure to only zest the green lime skin).  Add flour one cup at a time while mixing on low.  If dough seems to dry add a few squirts of lime juice.  Don't overmix or your dough will make for tough or chewy cookies.  Ideally you want light and crisp shortbread cookies.  

Spoon out cookie dough and roll into 1 1/2 inch balls.  Coat the bottom of a glass with sugar and flatten.  

Bake at 325 for about 12 minutes, or until edges are just turning golden.

Let cool and make your powdered sugar glaze.  Add your lime zest and juice to your powdered sugar in a small bowl and stir until mixed.  You want a thick, honey like consistency.  If it's too runny add more sugar, if it's not runny enough, add more lime juice.  

Pour glaze into a sandwich bag. 
I prop mine inside a glass to make it easier.

pick up your bag and snip off a corner.  Get ready to drizzle!

Drizzle a couple cookies at a time and then sprinkle with toasted almonds and maybe some green and yellow sanding sugar if you have it.  

Enjoy!





Not a great picture, but you can make them into wedges too!




I'm having technology shortfalls lately.  My laptop is sick and my camera is broken.  My "smart" phone is working extra hard to keep up.  So I'm around, in limited technology capacities.  :)




Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Busy with summer life!

My oven has been quiet lately, which is ok since this heat wave makes me want to stay as cool as possible. My super tiny kitchen heats up too fast, and when its a 100 degrees outside its not a room I'd like to hang out in.
So we've been vacationing a little and I've had time to spend on my other crafts! I sewed some dresses for Kate and had a tie dye BBQ. I love tie dye. Very fun to create, but you can have too much. :) So I'll need to be gifting some of my creations.
Enjoy the heat wave!

I'm uploading this post from my "smart" phone, I wonder if it will turn out ok? My laptop is broken :(



fun tie dyeing onesies!



hearts.


/
various broadcloth pieces to sew into something (?)



cute dress I made Kate.



loving my little man!




Kate showing off her sweetness and new dress.



More tie dye variations.  Possibilities are endless!!



Another dress I made Kate.  This one is my favorite!  It even has a pocket!




For the twins!  

Friday, July 1, 2011

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

I'm heading north for a week of vacation and no baking (gasp).  Have a great weekend and enjoy your freedom remembering how we got it and continue to do so. 

If you haven't seen my guest tutorial on Sugarbelle, check it out!  Thanks again Callye, it was an honor to be a guest on your blog!