Well, it’s officially Fall which means…. yep, the holidays are just around the corner!! I know, “thanks for the reminder” is probably hovering on your lips.
So think of this as just a helpful reminder… and by helpful, I mean that in the truest sense. You see, the best way to beat holiday stress is to plan a little ahead.. and that is exactly what this post is about. One of the best things about writing a food blog is getting to review cookbooks, which make great holiday gifts right? Well, this one is not only drop dead gorgeous but filled with delicious recipes and clear and concise instructions for … candy, which also makes a great holiday gift, right? See, I told you this was gonna be helpful!!! Ok, so about this book. It’s called “Sweet Confections” by Nina Wanat and photographed by Diane Cu and Todd Porter, a.k.a White on Rice Couple. The book is filled with gorgeous and easy to make candies…. and trust me they are truly easy and I am not just saying that… hot sugar and I have never been friends so if I can do this, believe me, so can you.
Flipping through the book, I had a hard deciding what to make first… but I decided on the candied orange peel. I have several recipes that use it and I’d been thinking about making a cookie with it… and so of course I did both! The candied orange peel turned out exactly as I’d hoped – wonderful on it’s own and even better mixed into these cookies. It imparts an orange flavor that you can’t get using orange zest/juice/extract alone.
So do yourself a favor… pick up a copy (or two or three!) of this book…. it will inspire you to make some homemade treats for gift giving. Or let your “inner shopper” out and splurge on some adorable packaging supplies and package up some terrific holiday gifts!! And… to make this even EASIER I am giving away a copy of this gorgeous book!!! So no excuses NOT to get started on those holiday preparations!!
So, how do you win this book?? Easy!! Just leave me a comment with your favorite candy – want more chances? Sign up for my RSS feed (or just let me know that you already do!), follow me on Twitter and/or follow me on Facebook! Just leave a comment for each!! Winners will be drawn via Random. org on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th!!!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1 /2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup minced candied orange peel
- Candied Orange Peel (adapted from "Sweet Confections" by Nina Wanat)
- 3 oranges
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup corn syrup or 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- Cream the butte with the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add the egg and the vanilla. Beat until well combined. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the butter mixture and beat until blended. Mix in the mini chocolate chips and the candied orange peel. Divide the dough in half. Shape into logs about 1 1/2 inches thick. Wrap in parchment or wax paper and refrigerate until firm. To Bake:
- Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Line several sheet pans with parchment.
- Slice dough into 1/4 inch slices. Place approximately 2 inches apart on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
- Directions for Orange Peel:
- Cut the top and bottom off each orange. Score the peel in 1 inch wide strips. Using your fingers, remove the peel from the orange, scraping away any membrane that remains. Place the peels in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes or until peels are tender. Drain.
- When cool, cut the peels into strips 1/4 inch wide. Set aside.
- In the same saucepan, combine the 2 cups of water, sugar and corn syrup or cream of tartar. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Add the peel. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until the peel is translucent and tender. Remove from the heat and pour the syrup and peels into a heatproof container. Let sit overnight at room temperature. Store, covered, in the refrigerator. To coat peels in sugar, remove peels from the syrup and let dry overnight and then roll in sugar.
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{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
I am beyond excited for holiday baking this year. I love the way my kitchen smells in the fall and holiday time. So uplifting! Thanks for sharing this recipe, Nancy!
I am too Allison!! Can’t wait for my oldest to be home from college – we always spend one day baking/decorating cookies!!
I came straight over here when I read your tweet that had the words Orange and Chocolate – a favorite combo of mine, sometimes toooo favorite
Also…I might start taking photo workshops with YOU. Your pics are wonderful. OK, bookmarked the recipe, but I do wish I had one of those cookies right NOW.
Thanks Cathy!! I know, I am totally addicted to orange and chocolate together. When Haagen Daz discontinued their Mandarin Chocolate Chip ice cream I pouted for weeks! So glad you like the photos – they are coming along – think I am really getting the hang of the photography piece! I warn you – the cookies are addictive – think Orange Milano’s!!
I subscribe to you via google reader… hope this counts as an entry!
Absolutely!!!
Favorite candy is a little tougher… probably anything with caramel!
Oooh…. I love caramel too!!
Does look like a great book…these are fantastic cookies and so love the combination of chocolate and orange
Thanks Alisha!! Chocolate and orange are definitely two of my favorite flavor combo’s!
Oh gosh…I guess Baby Ruth’s are my favorite candy bar, but if we’re talking more old school/penny candy, then I love Mary Jane’s!
Hi Lindsay!!
Whoa, talk about a blast from the past!! I haven’t thought about Mary Jane’s in forever.. thanks for bringing back such a great memory!!
Hi Nancy!
My favorite thing is anything with chocolate! Wish I could narrow it down but really I am an equal opportunity lover of all things chocolate.
Can’t wait to try this recipe and the book looks like a must read!
I am too Cathy.. it’s is definitely one of my weaknesses!!
I love chocolate and orange together. Each Christmas I get one of those round chocolate/orange balls in my stocking. Santa knows!
I can not imagine how good these must be with your own candied orange peel…and would LOVE this book!
I’m not going to leave separate comments for fear I would look like a stalker. I do it all…heck I even phone.
Just ordered my book!
Fabulous!! I think you are going to love it… it definitely will come in handy for Christmas!!
This looks like a great recipe for Craig. The orange and chocolate combo is one of his favorites.
It is definitely one of mine. I really liked the amount of orange flavor the candied peel gave the cookies….even my family (who aren’t orange/choco combo fans) loved them. Score!!!
Sounds like a fantastic book. My favorite candy to make is candied orange peels dipped in dark chocolate!
So happy to know another orange and chocolate fan!!
Already follow you on Twitter!
That book sounds amazing Nancy…I must get my hands on one & many of these cookies! xxoo
It’s a gorgeous book and the instructions are wonderful as are the recipes!
My favorite candy…deep, dark chocolate!
Me too Marla!!
Hi Nancy! I’m over the moon when I find chocolate and orange combinations. I feel like it is a gift to my taste buds, so thank you for this recipe! I used to devour those chocolate dipped candied orange sticks as a kid. If I’m not mistaken Camp Fire Girls (remember them?) used to sell them in the long rectangular boxes. Now I make my own or buy them from Trader Joes.
I follow you all over the place but in a non-stalker-ish kind of way
LOL!!! Heavens, I’d forgotten all about the ones the Camp Fire Girls used to sell!!! So glad you are coming to Photography and Light – T and D are amazing and it’s going to be such a fun day!!
The cookies look lovely! I was so excited to see that you’re going to be at Todd & Diane’s photo workshop next month. Looking forward to chatting again!
Me too Shawnda – it is going to be SO much fun!!! T and D are so excited – can’t wait!!
T&D were telling me about this book… chocolate and orange were born to be together. And T&D are such great photographers. I’ll check this book out!
It’s a great book on candy making. LOTS of step by step photos which are terrific for those who are not good friends with hot sugar (yeah, that would be me!!)
What a fun book! We love chocolate-covered candied orange peel and buy a sachet from our local chocolatier every holiday to share. Love it! But if I had the choice it would have to be chocolate-covered marshmallow or caramel. Yeah. Anytime. Love the cookies!
Ooohh… I love both of those too!!!
And I follow you on twitter!