All Things Sweet Bakery – Treats With A Purpose
February 13, 2014 | Posted in Around Town, Sweet Treats | By Lisa Wilk
Buttercream Roses on Red Velvet Cupcakes.
Cupcakes, cookies and pastries- hand decorated and delicious. Looking for an edible option for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day? Seeking spectacular favors for an upcoming event or hosting a shower? All Things Sweet has the treats for you.
Exquisitely decorated sweets. Cream Cheese Buttercream rose decorated Red Velvet cupcakes, Hi Hat cupcakes and Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Brown Butter Buttercream.
I had the extreme pleasure of learning about All Things Sweet run by the Orlando Union Rescue Mission at a luncheon recently. The mission provides the opportunity for culinary training for its residents and we met some of the lovely ladies who had gone through the program. Everything tasted as good as it looks! The Red Velvet cupcakes were moist and delicious with a wonderful Cream Cheese Buttercream frosting. The Hi Hat mini cupcake featured the expected delicious chocolate coating and the Red Velvet Whoopie pies with incredible Brown Butter Buttercream had me wishing they were full-sized, instead of the adorable mini.
Shortbread cookies topped with buttercream roses. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, a shower or special tea.
For those who prefer a cookie, there were several wonderful options. I loved the sweet buttercream roses on these shortbread cookies. A fun alternative to cupcakes, with the beautifully piped roses.
Beautifully piped, royal iced cookies.
The royal iced, jumbo cookies could have graced a magazine cover. Packaged up, they are perfect gifts or favors for weddings, showers and parties. For Valentines Day, All Things Sweet has specials that can be ordered by calling (407) 472-0633 or by emailing allthingssweet@ourm.org.
The cost per dozen cupcakes is $26.82, the significance of that number is powerful. It costs the Orlando Rescue Mission $26.82 to feed and house one resident, per day. Think of the good you can do by purchasing some goodies through this bakery with a purpose.
Along with fulfilling orders by phone and email, All Things Sweet also runs a food truck with mobile goodies. If you are interested in booking the truck for a special event or just craving a sweet- check on line for scheduling information.
Be sure to like All Things Sweet’s Facebook Page keep updated on their special events and promotions.
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The Fresh Market Winter Springs Celebrates Grand Opening
February 12, 2014 | Posted in Around Town, Special Events | By Lisa Wilk
The Fresh Market opens its fourth Orlando area location in Winter Springs.
The Fresh Market has opened its fourth Orlando store, located in the Red Willow Plaza shopping center at the intersection of Red Bug Lake Road and Tuskawilla Road. The new store boasts about 20,000 sq feet of gourmet groceries according to Mark Robards, Regional Director of Operations for The Fresh Market who was on site for the grand opening this morning.
The open concept layout makes each department very easy to spot and navigate towards.
Store Manager, Skip Oakes, confirmed that the North Caroline based chain will be once again giving back to the local community, by making daily food donations to local Orlando charity, Mission Compassion. The Fresh Market is also affiliated with the Central Florida Chapter of JDRF and other charitable organizations. In lieu of cutting a ribbon for the Grand Opening, a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano was cracked and then sampled.
Better than a ribbon cutting, the cracking of the wheel! Mark Robards, Regional Director of Operations welcomed the crowd before introducing Joe to crack the wheel and officially open the store.
The lovely Rashmi Primlani of The Primlani Kitchen gives some love to the king of cheese!
The open concept layout makes each department very easy to spot and navigate towards. This location features a large meat counter, bakery, deli counter and a prepared meal and warm “grab and go case” to offer solutions to those mid week what’s for dinner? moments. The bath care section with bath salt bar that was introduced at the new Mills store, is also present in Winter Springs. I was very happy to see a nice salad bar with soup stations next to the large olive bar, making the Winter Springs Fresh Market a great place for lunch or shopping for party provisions.
A salad bar with warm soup stations offers a great option for lunches and dinners.
After seeing the petite wine and beer section at the newer Mills location, I wondered if Winter Springs would follow suit. I was thrilled to see the familiar (and larger) wine section and refrigerated craft beer section at the Winter Springs store! Tip: be sure to sign up for their emails for in-store wine tastings and feature wine specials on Saturdays.
A portion of the wines for sale at the new Winter Springs Fresh Market
For those that like to Buy Local, the Winter Springs location mixes in favorite locally produced brands with the regular stock on the shelves, so look for the popular Orlando based Fat Cat Hot Sauces in the condiment aisle with the other hot sauces. There is also a separate display with a selection of featured local items.
Buy Local! Look for your favorite local brands sprinkled throughout the store and featured on this special rack.
If you are looking for some Valentine’s Day Flowers or ingredients to prepare a special meal, look no further. The roses and flowers are beautiful and The Fresh Market is offering a Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two special – which includes roses and dessert. If you are interested, today is the last day to order. Cooking is required, but they have completed most of the prep work and provide full cooking instructions, so even a beginner cook can look like a rock star in the kitchen this Valentine’s Day.
Fresh Market Valentine’s Day Gourmet Evening at home. All the ingredients for a special night in- including roses!
The Fresh Market
5920 Red Bug Lake Road
Winter Springs, FL 32708
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Top 5 Friday
January 31, 2014 | Posted in Cooking, Links, Special Events | By Lisa Wilk
On my radar this week:
Primlani Kitchen Visits Christner’s Prime Steak And Seafood For National Meat Month
Orlando Connections: Downtown Food & Wine Fest At Lake Eola February 22 and 23rd
Exploring Orlando Enjoys Treats At Peterbrooke Chocolatier Of Winter Park
Looking for something to do this weekend?
Friday Night 6-9 pm: Spanish Wine Tasting at Txokos Basque Kitchen, East End Market
Friday: Celebrate Chinese New Year at Hawkers
Saturday and Sunday: Mount Dora Arts Festival
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress 30th Anniversary Weekend Features Encore Of Famed La Coquina Brunch
January 29, 2014 | Posted in Brunch, Special Events | By Lisa Wilk
Opulent chandeliers grace La Coquina, which overlooks the beautiful grounds of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is pulling out all of the stops for it’s 30th anniversary celebration, including bringing back Orlando’s most beloved brunch at La Coquina on Sunday, February 2nd from 10:30 AM to 2:00PM. The beautiful space remains unchanged and has been used for weddings and private events since the popular brunches ceased in 2012. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Executive Chef Kenneth Juran, who headed up La Coquina for 20 years, along with Sunshine Baker of Cravel Local.
Four types of American caviar will be featured at the Coquina Encore Brunch on 2/2/2014.
During our tour of the facility we were shown the spacious kitchen where guests will start their decadent brunch by choosing from an expansive fresh seafood display including chilled shellfish and four distinct American caviar, which will have the traditional accompaniments of blini and a shallot crème fraiche.
Dover Sole With Lemon Herb Butter
The La Coquina culinary team will present numerous staffed food stations inside of the kitchen featuring cheeses and antipasti, seasonal fruits and various cold salads. Diners will also be able to select from many popular 1984 themed, prepared to order entrees. A sampling of the impressive entree menu includes Dover Sole With Lemon Herb Butter, Parsley Crusted Rack of Lamb with Mint Pesto and perfectly done Beef Wellingtons. Sous Chef Tournant, Kyle Anderson, presented each for us to sample and discussed his enjoyment of having the classic and elaborate entrees on the anniversary menu. Ms. Baker does a lovely job of describing the classic dishes and preparations here.
Parsley Crusted Rack of Lamb with Mint Pesto
Classic Beef Wellington.
While enjoying the elaborate brunch, one should remember to save room for dessert! The dessert display planned by Executive Pastry Chef, Steven Rujak, will be something of dreams- with an expansive showcase of handmade chocolates, chocolate dipped berries, French macaroons, mini tarts and many unique pastries. We sampled several and there is no way to pick a favorite.
Passion Fruit tarts, French macaroons and pastries made by the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress pastry team.
Decadent chocolate confections made by the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress pastry team.
After your brunch, linger and take in the recent renovations throughout the property. Allow some time to stroll the picturesque walking paths and consider taking advantage of one of the many anniversary weekend specials offered by The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, including room discounts and the Hemingway’s 30th Anniversary Dinner.
A private beach overlooking Lake Windsong. Enjoy a chaise or engage in a game of volleyball!
Guests of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress may take full advantage of all of the amenities the property offers, including the Pitch & Putt!
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon pool-side or in one of the many secluded enclaves. A festive beverage is just a push button away!
La Coquina 30th Anniversary Encore Sunday Brunch – currently taking wait-list reservations at (407) 239-3830.
Disclosure: I was a guest in connection with a media preview tasting at La Coquina. No other form of compensation was received and the opinions in this post are my own. Cheers!
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Sleeping Moon Cafe Offers Artfully Fresh Food
January 17, 2014 | Posted in Dining out | By Lisa Wilk
Menu Boards with Daily specials and updates, items are cooked fresh, so end of the day may mean menu items run out
Sleeping Moon Cafe is located in Winter Park on Aloma Avenue, a block East of the intersection with Semoran Blvd. The cafe and coffee shop offers a nice selection of coffee drinks, teas, baked goods, sandwiches, soups and a daily special. On a recent cool and rainy night, Hubby and I stopped in for a warming bowl of soup and a panini. In chatting with the friendly staff behind the counter, we were informed the food is made to order and from scratch ingredients. I gravitated towards the ooey-gooey Caprese panini- made with melted mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and tomatoes.
Caprese Panini and Corn Chowder
The panini was large, toasted to perfection and had a very nice balance of fillings. If you are looking for a gourmet spin on a grilled cheese, the Caprese panini is the right choice for you.
Caprese Panini with gooey mozzarella, basil and fresh tomatoes.
My Hubby enjoyed his BBQ Chicken panini- a generous portion of saucy BBQ chicken, red onion and cheddar cheese rounded out his sandwich. He also sampled a bite of my panini and declared them both winners.
BBQ Chicken Panini with Corn Chowder
We both appreciated the flavor and heartiness of the featured soup, Corn Chowder, which helped to ward off the damp and cool night. The soup was vegetarian friendly, which was a nice surprise. Sleeping Moon Cafe regularly has veggie friendly soups and on our visit also had a vegan burger in addition to their regular meaty offerings.
Art from Local Artists is prominently displayed
We enjoyed our dinner on the large, comfy couch surrounded by the artwork of local artists. There was a mix of tables and seating for enjoying a meal, settling in with a book or getting some work done on a laptop. Free WiFi is available, on our visit there were both students and business people plugged in while enjoying their coffees and dinner.
Art from Local Artists is prominently displayed, check the schedule for local artists showings and events.
Check the Sleeping Moon Cafe Facebook page for daily menu features, a schedule of events and artists who will be displaying their work.
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Yuki Hana Japanese Fusion- Options For Sushi Lovers And Cooked Japanese Fusion Cuisine
January 13, 2014 | Posted in Dining out | By Lisa Wilk
Modern decor, friendly service and fresh ingredients at Yuki Hana.
Yuki Hana Japanese Fusion restaurant is located in the plaza with the Dunkin’ Donuts and Tijuana Flats at the intersection of Tuskawilla and Aloma, less than a mile West from the 417 and Aloma exchange.
The restaurant offers a mix of booths, tables and sushi bar seating and is usually buzzing between sit down and take out business. The Sushi chefs behind the counter have assembled a very comprehensive menu with a mix of expected rolls, nigiri, sashimi along with some nice surprises. Aside from a full sushi menu, there is an equally large and impressive cooked menu ranging from small plates, hibachi, noodles and entrées.
Trying something different, our most recent visit had my husband and I opting for Bento boxes ($22.00) instead of our regular sushi. On a chilly night, it was a welcomed change. Along with starter course of soup or salad, the Bento Box has an entrée item, gyoza, rice and a choice of 7 pieces Sashimi, a Shrimp Tempura Roll, 5 pieces of Sushi or a Tuna Roll which can be ordered regular or spicy. It’s a big meal!
House salad or choice of soup, nicely proportioned and great starters.
The salad was a large portion of mixed greens, crisp veggies and a nice ginger dressing. The addition of fried wonton has my hubby gravitating to this salad regularly. I enjoy the miso soup, sans scallions, and with their addition of Enoki (Or Enokitake) mushrooms. The miso has good body without being overly salty and not pictured is the nice amount of seaweed and tofu at the bottom.
Salmon with Miso Bento box, with spicy tuna roll and spring roll, substituted for the gyoza. A nice departure from Teriyaki!
We were very hungry on this visit, so we were happy to polish off the contents of the whole Bento Box. Hubby gallantly offered to finish the few pieces of Spicy Tuna roll that I couldn’t, so we both left very full. The miso coated Salmon was flaky and moist, with a nice hint of sweetness from the miso glaze. The fish was resting on a bed of sautéed vegetables, prepared with a pleasing crispness remaining.
Shrimp and veggie tempura Bento Box, with Gyoza and Spicy Tuna roll.
Hubby went on a big departure by ordering tempura and commented on his enjoyment throughout (crunch) his tasty (crunch) meal (crunch). The tempura coating was light, crispy and the entree included a substantial portion of vegetables and shrimp. He enjoyed the accompanying dipping sauce and crunched very happily throughout his meal.
On previous visits we’ve enjoyed the Cold Appetizers of Ahi Poke, Tuna Tataki with Ponzu Gelee and Yellowtail Jalapeno. In each dish the fish was wonderful quality, fresh and expertly prepared. Each item we’ve enjoyed as very flavorful, but not heavy handed or over done, or taking the focus away from the fish.
We’ve also enjoyed various Hot Tastings including: Spicy garlic Edamame, Rock Shrimp, Lettuce Wraps in Chicken and Beef, Hot Stone Kobe and Crispy Calamari. All were delicious and I would highly recommend. For those hungry and ready for adventure, the Omakase for Two is for you and available for dinner service only. The impressive meal is four courses, with more than plenty of food and sushi. It’s quite a sight when a table of four orders and the packed sushi boat arrives for the final course.
Full dinner menu is here, lunch menu is here and also offered is a full happy hour menu, detailed here and valid Monday- Thursday, 5:00-6:30 PM. If you’d like to celebrate Yuki Hana Japanese Fusion’s official 1 year anniversary, plan on making reservations soon for the Saturday, January 25th extravaganza. I attended their soft opening 1 year anniversary celebration with neighbor friends prior to the holidays and it was a blast! A boisterous evening with wonderful food, amazing sushi, unexpected treats and standing room only. For your table to the Janaary 25th extravaganza or regular meal reservations, call the restaurant or book through Opentable.com.
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New Orleans Cajun Seafood Opens In Winter Park
January 4, 2014 | Posted in Dining out | By Lisa Wilk
The Newest Location of New Orleans Cajun Seafood
New Orleans Cajun Seafood has opened it’s second Orlando area location, on Aloma Ave in Winter Park near the intersection of Goldenrod Road. Known for it’s garlic crabs and seafood by the pound, the New Orleans Cajun Seafood Winter Park location offers an expanded menu to include breakfast, sandwiches and burgers.
I visited on their grand opening day along with some of the regulars from the previous establishment, Cheddar Jack’s, who were enjoying their breakfast favorites. Omelets, breakfast combos, pancakes and waffles are being served 8:00am- 11:00am Monday through Saturday and 8:00am-noon on Sunday. Both breakfast and regular menus were available at my 10:45AM Saturday visit, so I ordered the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict ($7.95) from the breakfast menu and the Crawfish Po Boy ($8.50) from the regular menu. Good choices for both.
Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, served with hashbrowns. A filling breakfast, $7.95
The Crab Cake Eggs Benedict was a large portion, with 2 nicely poached eggs served on top of crab cakes and toasted English muffins. The hollandaise sauce had nice flavor and for the price of $7.95 I would be happy to eat these again. The Crab Cakes are being switched out the New Orleans Cajun Seafood recipe soon, which I’ll be happy to try, but these were just fine for a Benedict. The hashbrowns were tasty, fresh and not a bit greasy. On the note of breakfast, I saw several omelets being enjoyed and chatted with the regulars who recommended trying one on my next visit.
Crawfish Po Boy
I couldn’t leave without sampling a Po Boy. A fellow Marylander at a neighboring table had ordered the Soft Shell Blue Crab Po Boy and proclaimed it delicious and also recommended the Jambalaya, which had a healthy kick. The Crawfish Po Boy had a healthy portion of fried crawfish, which were tender and flavored with Cajun seasoning in the coating. The French bread exterior was crusty and gave way to a fresh and nicely dense bread that held up to the fillings. A light coating of mayo, fresh tomatoes and lettuce finish out the hearty Po Boy.
Well cooked and seasoned crawfish in this tasty Po Boy!
Service was very friendly from start to finish. The two servers walked me through the new menu and shared their favorites from the breakfast and regular menus. I was checked on several times and had offers for refills on drinks. Don’t be surprised if you end up in a conversation or two with some of the other patrons, as everyone seems curious and excited about the new menu.
The full menu from the original West Colonial location is here, including the popular seafood combos. The expanded Winter Park menu isn’t online as of yet, but I’ve posted pictures on Urbanspoon.com. Rounding out the Original Cajun seafood favorites is the addition of burgers, cheesesteaks and salads. The restaurant is dine in or take out, credit cards are accepted. Current operating hours are 8am-9pm, seven days a week.
Update: I’ve sampled the Jambalaya, Oyster Po Boy and Beignets in subsequent visits. The Oyster Po Boy was delicious with 8 plump, large fried oysters to fill the Po Boy. The only thing missing was the traditional rémoulade sauce, which I was told is on it’s way. The Jambalaya packs some heat and is more reminiscent of a Spicy Manhattan Chowder than a traditional Jambalaya, but I’m not complaining! The beignets were delicate and covered heavily in powdered sugar, a nice portion for $2.75. The dough pockets were not greasy and best eaten as they arrive at the table. Service was again very friendly and with great recommendations.
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“Fins Up!” To The Revamped Menu At Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Orlando
December 20, 2013 | Posted in Dining out | By Lisa Wilk
The Perfect Margarita and the Livin’ it up Margarita!
I was recently invited to sample the refreshed menu at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Orlando located in City Walk at Universal Studios. It had been a few years since my last visit to this location, so it was nice to explore the newer options. The ambiance is full on island time with volcanoes, live Buffett concert footage, stilt walkers and sing-alongs. It’s always 5 o’clock in Margaritaville, yet the ambiance remains very family friendly.
What is a visit to Margaritaville without sampling some of the delicious margaritas? We started with The Perfect Margarita and Livin’ It Up Margarita, on the rocks. The The Perfect Margarita is just that, a blend of Margaritaville Gold & Silver Tequila triple sec and lime juice (in lieu of mixer). The Livin’ It Up Margarita is made with the Sauza Tres Generaciones Anejo Tequila and the house-made agave margarita mix. Both margaritas were smooth and well balanced with a nice lime to tequila flavor.
Beach Tacos: Braised Pork Carnitas and Carne Asada Steak
On to the appetizers, we started with the Beach Tacos, which come two to an order and can be mix and matched from Carne Asada Steak, Braised Port Carnitas or Chicken Tinga. Our group ordered the Carne Asada Steak and the Braised Pork Carnitas. The two tacos had a nice portion of tender and flavorful meat, queso fresco and various garnish. Our table declared a tie for the favorite.
Asiago Crab Dip
Next up was the Asiago Crab Dip, a rich and creamy Asiago cheesy base with lots of sweet, lump blue crab and topped with buttery garlic bread crumbs which toasted up nicely. The grilled crostini provided a study base for the substantial dip. Nice flavors throughout and there was not a bite left when our plates were cleared.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers and White Cheddar Cheese Curds
The Grilled Shrimp Skewers and White Cheddar Cheese Curds rounded out our appetizers. The Grilled Shrimp skewers were basted in a Jerk glaze, which was well spiced, zesty and a pleasing compliment to the sweetness and acidity in the pineapple slices which acted as a base for the skewers. I am a fan of fried cheese curds and was surprised to see them on the menu. Not familiar with cheese curds? Think the texture of fried mozzarella cheese sticks, but with a cheddar cheese flavor. The fried curds were delicious- great with both the marinara sauce and with the Landshark Lager BBQ sauce that is included. I preferred the Landshark BBQ, but my guests gravitated towards the marinara.
A flight of margaritas! Blueberry Pomegranate, Last Mango in Paris, Who’s to Blame and Fins to the left margaritas
We took a brief intermission before entrees and enjoyed a flight of margaritas. This is a fun way to try the many fun flavors crafted at Margaritaville. Of the flavors tasted, the Blueberry Pomegranate and Mango were big hits. Again, great flavors and a smooth balance between mixers and tequila. Also sampled was the Italian Margarita, which was probably our favorites of the non traditional margaritas. Made with Margaritaville Calypso Coconut tequila and amaretto, along with house made (lime) margarita mix, the drink was a fun departure from the traditional margarita. The sampler is a nice idea for one adventurous person or fun for a table to share.
New York strip steak, green beans and loaded Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, sour cream & green onions
Our entrees arrived, starting with a New York strip steak which was cooked properly to the ordered temperature. The 12 ounce steak was tender and prepared well, with plentiful sides. The Yukon Gold Mashed potatoes were topped with cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, sour cream and green onions which added a nice steakhouse touch. The fresh green beans were seasoned nicely and still had a pleasing fresh-crisp bite.
Fish Tacos, with black beans, rice and pico de gallo
The fish tacos included large fish planks dipped into the Margaritaville Landshark Lager batter and fried until flaky and delicious. There was a substantial portion of battered fish tucked in the tacos and the cilantro lime coleslaw topper provided a nice layer of flavor. The black beans were seasoned well and tasty with the rice or when added to the taco, as was the pico. I enjoyed the tacos and I can bet the Fish and Chips are just as yummy, since the battered fish is the star in that dish as well.
Chimichurri Flat Iron Steak with chinichurri and loaded mashed potatoes
Lastly was the Chimichurri Flat Iron Steak with chimichurri sauce and loaded mashed potatoes. The 10 ounce flatiron steak was also cooked to the requested temperature and very flavorful. The table particularly enjoyed the chimichurri sauce in combination with the nice sear on the meat.
Key Lime Pie with Graham cracker crust
Those who enjoy the Key Lime Pie should be sure to save room for the Margaritaville Key Lime Pie. The pie filling was a nice creamy consistency with the right balance of sweet and tart against the buttery graham cracker crust.
Our attentive server stopped by our table with a lazy susan and utensils, which piqued our interest. Then, she arrived and presented the Chocolate Hurricane, which takes a minute or two to absorb. It’s certainly enough for 3-4 people and I can imagine this being a big hit for birthday celebrations.
The Chocolate Hurricane, delightfully shareable!
We should walk though what is included: a stack of fudgy brownies, 1 pint of premium vanilla bean ice cream, 2 whipped cream mountains, 1 sliced banana, crumbled Heath bars, shortbread cookies, Kit Kats, pirouette cookies, macadamia nuts and it’s all topped with caramel and hot fudge sauce tableside. This impressive dessert will feed a crowd and creates a lot of interest throughout the dining room when delivered.
Because a picture isn’t enough, here is a video of the toppings being swirled on…makes me wish were back on island time, wastin’ away in Margaritaville.
Disclosure: I was a guest in connection with a media preview tasting at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. No other form of compensation was received and the opinions in this post are my own. Cheers!
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Salted Caramel Shortbread Bars and The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap
December 11, 2013 | Posted in Cooking | By Lisa Wilk
For me, sweet memories of baking at the holidays goes all the way back to being a small child and “helping” my Grandmother in the kitchen. She was the host of the large family Christmas gatherings and went all out, making dozens and dozens of many different cookies. Always making sure to have each guests favorite cookie on hand for our days-long holiday celebration. As a child, it was magical. I host my family Christmas gatherings and I still wonder how my Grandma Barb did it all- the decorating, crafts, baking and shopping. And she always did everything with lots of love, which was the best gift.
I have been hosting my own cookie swap for over 10 years. While I love to bake, I rarely have time to make 12-15 different kinds of cookies, à la Grandma Barb. My swaps started as a fun thing for the neighbors to do, then graduated to a gaggle of girlfriends and finally amped up to a friendly competition for who would be crowned the Cookie Queen. A pageant Tiara (really) and prizes had the participants upping their game and the cookies are always marvelous. Throughout the year, the regular participants are always keeping their eyes out for new “Cookie Queen” worthy recipes. The inspiration for my Great Blogger Cookie Swap cookie was scoped out by my friend, Deborah, during her visit to Epcot Food and Wine this year. She made the Epcot version for my swap and it’s tasty- congrats to Deborah for being runner up for Cookie Queen.
My cookies packaged and ready to be shipped to IL, GA and TX
When I decided to participate in the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap to support Cookies for Kid’s Cancer, I immediately thought about reworking that recipe; creating something decadent and holiday appropriate, that would also ship well. I reworked the recipe by omitting nuts, using fat free sweetened condensed milk to cut down on the sugary taste, salting the Werther’s caramel mixture slightly with Maldon Sea Salt Flakes and using my standard shortbread base, with a bit more flour added to get a nice crumble topping. I’m very happy with the results and so were my GFBCS recipients. Thanks to Hannah at Fleur-De-Licious and Marly at Chicago Foodies for the great feedback!
Along with the recipe for my tasty Salted Caramel Shortbread Bars, I’ve included my tips for hosting your own cookie swap. I hope they help you start your own swap and maybe your own friendly competition for Cookie Queen. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Salted Caramel Shortbread Bars
Time for preparation: 10 minutes Time for cooking: 25-30 minutes
Number of portions: 24-30
Ingredients:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 can (14 oz.) FAT FREE sweetened condensed milk
½ pkg. (4.5 oz.) Werther’s Original Baking Caramels, unwrapped*
1 1/2 tsp Maldon Sea Salt Flakes
Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Beat butter in the bowl of an electric mixer on medium to high speed until combined. Add sugar and kosher salt; beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Sift in the flour, on low speed until combined. Press two-thirds of the crust mixture into the bottom of an ungreased, 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside.
Thanks to OXO for this wonderfully sturdy spatula. It handled my shortbread dough and the hot caramel mixture with ease! A breeze to clean up, too.
Microwave the Fat Free sweetened condensed milk and Werther’s Original Baking caramels in a microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 2½ minutes or until melted, stirring after 1½ minutes. Stir in Maldon Sea Salt Flakes and chopped nuts, if using. Spread the hot mixture evenly over the unbaked crust. Crumble remaining crust mixture over Salted Carmel. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until the shortbread crumble is golden. Cool in pan, on a wire rack. Cool bars thoroughly before cutting.
*Werther’s Original Baking Caramels can be found in the baking section of your grocery store, they are much more buttery and toffee-candy tasting, than regular caramels. The Baking Caramels have plain white wrappers, not the foil wrappers of the Werther’s Caramels in the candy section. They also have a much different taste and consistency than the candy, which allows them to bake nicely and remain a bit soft after the bars have cooled.
In case you’ve never participated in a cookie swap, here are my go-to details that I share via with my cookie swap guest list to outline things. Most importantly, everyone loves a tiara!
Lisa’s Cookie Swap 101
Cookie swap works on the theory of it’s much easier to bake a bunch of one cookie, than a bunch of different cookies. A For our swap, a “Cookie” can be a cookie, bar, brownie, candy, fudge, etc.
Bake several dozen of the same type of cookie (this year it was 6 dozen) and divide them up into the designated quantity (this year it was 6 cookies per bag, box or ziptop bag) for each person to take home. All items in decorative packaging, please place in ziptop bag, prior to keep things fresh!
At the end of the swap, each person gets to take home a nice quantity of many different cookies. (Last year we had 12 different kinds of cookies!)
You may then:
a) Pig out on them!
b) Save them for the upcoming holiday’s entertaining. Some cookies freeze wonderfully!
c) Box them up and gift them!
No later than ONE week prior to the swap, please email your recipe to the host to be included in the cookie swap recipe booklet! The booklet makes a nice keepsake and that way everyone has a copy of every recipe.
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