May just snuck up on me and is almost over...

I've been trying really hard not to eat too much, to my sincere surprise I'm still not losing weight. Time for some more drastic action. With the weather getting a little better I must resume my walking, I believe if I do that at the end of each day I'll be too tired to eat when I get home and then I can just go to bed. Let's see how that works out. In the meantime I'm dying for a cookie. One of my favourites here. But, then again I've never MADE a cookie I didn't like.

From Food and Drink Spring 2006


Spiced Sugar Cookies

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup finely ground pecans or walnuts
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter softened
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
2 egg whites
1 tsp cold water
1/2 cup turbinado sugar

1. In a medium bowl stir together flour, pecans, baking powder, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt, then set aside.

2.In a separate bowl and using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar and butter for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla just until combined.

3. Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture just until combined.

4.Form dough into a ball, then divide into 2 pieces. With lightly floured hands, flatten each piece into a 1/2 -inch -thick disc, then wrap and refrigerate for 40 minutes or until firm enuogh to roll.

5. Preheat oven to 325 F

6. Line two 12x18 1nch baking sheets with parchment paper.

7.On a lightly floured surface roll out one piece of dough to 1/8 inch thickness, then cut rounds with a 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter. Arrange cookies 1/2 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.

8. In a small bowl, whisk together egg whites and water. In a separate bowl, stir together turbinado sugar, and remaining cinnamon.Brush tops of cookies with egg mixture ,then sprinkle each generously with sugar nixture.

9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges of cookies are golden.Let cool on wire racks, then store in airtight containers, with wax paper between layers.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies. .