Chewy Chai-Spice Sugar Cookies

(Recipe courtesy of Cooks Illustrated)

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground cloves
Pinch of black pepper
1 1/2 cups sugar (plus extra for rolling)
2 ounces cream cheese, cut into 8 pieces
6 Tbsp (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted and still warm
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 Tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt together in medium bowl. Set aside.
3. Place 1 1/2 cups sugar, cream cheese, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves and black pepper in large bowl.
4. Pour warm butter over sugar and cream cheese and whisk to combine. (Some lumps of cream cheese will remain but will smooth out later).
5. Whisk in oil until incorporated. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Continue to whisk until smooth.
6. Add flour mixture and mix with rubber spatula until soft dough forms.
7. Divide dough into 24 equal pieces (about 2 Tbsp each).
8. Using hands, roll dough into balls. Roll balls into sugar to coat and space evenly on baking sheet, 12 dough balls per sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass, flatten dough balls until 2 inches in diameter. Sprinkle tops with sugar.
9. Bake 1 tray at a time until edges are set and just beginning to brown, 11-13 minutes, rotating tray after 7 minutes.
10. Cool cookies on baking sheets 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire rack and cool to room temperature.

Soft Ginger Creams

Soft Ginger Creams
I adapted this recipe to make it egg and dairy free. The kids loved them (and I did too)! Makes around 3 dozen cookies.

1/3 c. shortening
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 t. powdered ginger
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. ground cloves
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. molasses
1/2 c. water
1 T. canola oil
2 c. all-purpose flour

Icing:
2 c. sifted powdered sugar
2 T. melted butter or margarine
3 - 4 t. milk

In a large mixing bowl, beat the shortening with mixer for 30 seconds. Add sugar, ginger, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Beat until combined, occasionally scraping the sides of the bowl. Beat in molasses, water and oil on low speed until combined. Gradually add flour and mix until well combined. Cover and chill dough for 3 hours. Dough will be soft. Drop the dough by rounded teaspoon (keep them small) 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake in 375 preheated oven for 9 - 10 minutes or until the edges are firm. Allow to cool and frost with icing.

Icing: In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, melted butter and 3 t. of milk. Stir in additional milk if needed. Drizzle over cookies.

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cake

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cake

1/2 c. (1 stick) butter or margarine, room temp
1 1/4 c. sugar, divided
2 eggs
1 c. sour cream
1 t. vanilla extract
2 c. flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
2-3 T. milk
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 - 12 oz. bag chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. In a mixing bowl, combine butter or margarine, 1 c. sugar and eggs. Beat until light and fluffy. Add sour cream and vanilla; blend thoroughly on low. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder and soda, and salt. Add gradually to beaten mixture. Add milk as needed to thin batter to spread in pan more easily. Pour half of batter into greased 9x13 baking pan. In a small bowl, combine the remaining sugar and the cinnamon. Sprinkle half of the sugar-cinnamon mixture and half of the chocolate chips over the batter. Pour the remaining batter into the pan and sprinkle with remaining sugar-cinnamon mixture and chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 30 - 35 minutes.

The Singing Mirror

One of Jevin's songs as the Singing Mirror in his class musical: Snow White and the 10 Dwarfs.

Fun at the Park

Doesn't this look like fun? :) Jevin and Enavi played at the park today and I love this picture of them going down the slide together.