Happy Holidays + Cocoa-Sour Cherry Slices
The school is off, the kids are at home running around and begging to be entertained by their not-so-much-of-a-child-entertainer mom, and I’ve been busy baking cookies these past few days to give to neighbors and friends as our family gift for the holidays. So it’s all hectic, but good. I haven’t forgotten you and just wanted to write a short note and wish you very happy holidays. May the new year bring joy, happiness, delicious days to you and your loved ones, and peace to the world!
Here’s the recipe for the cookies that were part of my cookie assortment I baked. They are light and very delicious. My only change to the original recipe was the addition of dried sour cherries and they paired perfectly with the cocoa. You can use dried cranberries instead, or omit fruits altogether. Enjoy!
Happy Holidays and see you in 2010!
Cocoa-Sour Cherry Slices
Adapted from Cooking Light, December 2007
Makes 24 cookies
1 1/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chilled butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup chopped dried sour (tart) cherries (substitute with dried cranberries, if you wish)
1/3 cup ice water
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups and measuring spoons; level with a knife. Combine the flour and the next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the dried cherries.
Combine 1/3 cup ice water and vanilla; drizzle over flour mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork until moist. Place the dough on a large piece of plastic wrap. The dough will be sticky and it is normal. Rolling back and forth, shape the dough into a 12-inch (30 cm) log. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Chill at least 1 hour or until the dough is firm.
Preheat oven to 350F (175C).
Unwrap the dough log. Cut the log into 24 (1/2 inch - 1.2 cm thick) slices. If the slices lose their roundness when you cut them, fix the shape with your hands. Place slices 2 inches (5 cm) apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes or until cookies are set. They will still be somewhat soft when touched on top, but do not panic - they will harden while cooling. Take care not to overbake. 15 minutes works great for me. Remove from the oven. Cool cookies on pans 5 minutes. Cook completely on wire racks. Enjoy!
- Ambera L.: I just made your cake and it
- Lesya Cali: Very simple ingredients and bread turned out
- Lesya Cali: Thanks for the recipe. It is great
- LaMimi: Hi darling!
I'm also azeri. I'm Leyla's
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23 Comments Add your own
1. Rosa | December 24th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Wonderful cookies!
Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year!
Cheers,
Rosa
2. deeba | December 24th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
The cookies are gorgeous Farida. I love your addition of sour cherries…makes them perfect! I’d love to try these soon!
happy Holidays to you my friend.
Much love…xoxo
3. Nadjibella | December 25th, 2009 at 4:30 am
magnifiques petits g^teaux. je note la recette.
Happy Holidays and all the best for the New Year!
Cheers,
4. Cynthia | December 25th, 2009 at 6:02 am
Happy Holidays to you and the family hon.
5. sheba | December 25th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Happy Holidays!!!!
6. Leyla | December 25th, 2009 at 10:40 am
These cooking looks so yummy! I also love the addition of dried cherries…
Happy Holidays to you & your lovely family! May all of your wishes & dreams come true! All the best! xoxo
Btw, just wanted to let you know I made your Eggplant rolls & the Eclairs for xmas last night, and everyone loved it! So thank you! =)
7. sangeetha | December 25th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
yummy cookies!!wish I could grab one piece
Happy Holidays to u & ur family!!
8. zerrin | December 25th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Yummy cookies with chocolate and sour cherry. Great for holidays!
Wish you a wonderful year Feride.
9. TasteofBeirut | December 26th, 2009 at 3:18 am
Great cookies! I don’t think the combo of chocolate and cherry can be beat.
Wishing you a great holiday season.
10. Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen | December 26th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Happy Happy holidays to you and your family Farida! Those cookies look gorgeous!
11. Deesha | December 26th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
they look absolutely delicious Farida, Happy Holidays to you too
12. The Purple Foodie | December 27th, 2009 at 12:38 am
Happy holidays Farida! Your cookies look lovely.
13. pierre | December 28th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Hello Farida
nice cookies with the flavour of cherries I love it !
happy season holidays !
cheers from Paris
Pierre
14. Mrs Ergül | December 29th, 2009 at 2:49 am
I’m late but still, happy holidays to you and your family abla!
15. Tiina | December 30th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Lovely recipe! I think I might try the cranberry version, haven’t seen dried cherries around here.
Happy New Year!
Greetings,
Tiina
16. FARIDA | December 30th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND HOLIDAYS WISHES! See you in 2010!
17. Sophie | December 31st, 2009 at 3:15 am
What tasty & fab looking cookies!!
MMMMMMMMMM,… I wish you & your family a warm, happy & fun 2010!!!
18. EU MULHER | December 31st, 2009 at 9:40 am
Hello my dear friend! Are you all right? I hope so!
I wish for you and all your family a Happy 2010!
All the best in your life!
Kisses and a big hug.
19. Jamelia | December 31st, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Hello.I found your blog while searching for Eastern Food.I really liked your blog,bookmarked it and will recomment it to my friends too,where is your country situated,i hear Azerbaijan for the fist time,
Happy New Year
20. Maya | January 8th, 2010 at 4:47 am
Happy New Year Farida!
21. TasteofBeirut | January 10th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Farida
I brought back some goodies from Lebanon that i am giving away; in case you are interested!
22. Parita | January 12th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Perfect!! I love sour cherries and chocolate combo..yumm!
Wish you a wonderful year ahead!
23. Marysol | January 13th, 2010 at 7:26 am
Fari, your cookies look and sound so good in their festive cookie tin.
I’ve been hanging on to some dried cherries I got at TJs late last year, and now I’ve found a great use for them.
Best Wishes for the New Year to you and your pint-size crew, my friend!
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