"No-Peppermint" Peppermint Cream Sandwich Cookies

 

Date: 26 October 2024

Bakers: Keizo, Evan, Avery

As per request from one of the bakers, we omitted the peppermint extract from the cream.  As a result, the cookies tasted very plain. The cream itself just tasted - like nothing.  The texture of the cream was pretty good and I was pretty happy with that.

The cookie itself was softer than I had expected, but still had a bit of a crunch (maybe cook it longer next time). The kids had fun rolling out the dough and cutting out the shapes. Putting the cream on the cookies was also a hit.    

Verdict:

Will Make Again? Probably because need to add the peppermint extract to see how it tastes
Kid Approved? Yes

Evan rolling out the dough

Requested colours for the filling

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Update: Our backyard neighbour blew many of leaves off of our property ... so we gave her a number of these.  They apparently were quite good and very 'Oreo' like which was well received.

Golden M&M's Bars

Date: 25 October 2024

Bakers: Keizo

These 'Golden M&M Bars' were really M&M-y. There was a lot of M&Ms in them, 1.75 cups of M&Ms.  Not just M&Ms but an additional 1 cup of 'white baking chips' (White chocolate chips).  That's a LOT of chocolate. Converting this to grams is ~255 g of M&Ms and ~175 g of white chocolate chips for a whopping total of ~430 g in a 13" x 9" pan ... that is almost HALF A KILO!

I only own a glass baking dish so it didn't seem to bake correctly.  I took it out and waited for it to cool and then cut it. The squares were still pretty raw. So, I put them back into the oven to baked for another 20 minutes (checking every 5 to see if it was less raw) which at that point it was over baked and hard as a rock ... I guess if I ever make this again, I would either get a new pan or bake it 5 - 10? minutes longer in a glass dish.

Verdict:

If you like M&Ms, then you will love this. If you are looking for a cake-y / brownie like bar with some M&Ms and not a mouthful of M&Ms with each bite, stay away. The white chocolate didn't really add anything either.

Will Make Again? No
Kid Approved? Yes (of course, its has so many M&Ms)

That's a lotta M&Ms

Adding even more M&Ms

Yup still raw

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Peppermint Stick Cookies

Date: October 21, 2024
Bakers: Keizo, Evan

First recipe! We have never baked any other type of cookie except for standard chocolate chip cookies and some thumbprint cookies.

The colour didn't really work out like I wanted it to ... but Lauren and Kelly mentioned a 'different food' colouring that is gel based instead of your standard food colouring (Which apparently we had in our cupboard).

Overall this wasn't too bad to make.  The handling and the 'twisting' of the sticks will require more practice.  The cookies were tasty and had a good subtle mint flavour.

Verdict:

Will Make Again? Yes - Must try new food colouring
Kid Approved? No - But they do not like mint

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Tucker ...

Tucker Tobias Marui passed away peacefully November 8, 2024.

His brothers loved him and always tried to make him feel better

He was always the test shots in place of kids that could not sit still

And was always happy to help with the ridiculous Christmas shoots

Tucker was known for his ability to pee in the house (yes it does not help that we just moved into a new house) and playing 'tough guy' in the middle of the night.  He also played hide and seek around the apartment sleeping in the coziest of places.

We will miss you Tucker.  May you rest in peace and able to see the brightest of rainbows and hear the quietest of noises in the middle of night.