Mad About Maida

  Neapolitans  (Source: Maida Heatter's Cookies (Andrews & McMeel Publishing, 1997 ed.), pg. 1 71. Here is a festive-looking cookie, perfect for the holidays. The recipe had always intimidated me and I thought they would be a challenge - two different doughs, overnight chilling, etc. However, I was wrong and although maybe a bit time-consuming, they are quite simple to make and actually fun to put together. Doing an Internet search brings up photos of other Neapolitan cookies and most of them have three colors - white, dark and pink (like the ice cream). This one is different from all of those but the ingredients sound similar.  Another surprise is the taste - I expected them to be a firm cookies. But I was wrong - they are soft and almost chewy.   I know that there have been food shortages this year and I wonder if that is the reason I had difficulty locating the candied cherries. I usually see mountains of it piled up in the grocery stores this time of y...

  Rugelach (Walnut Horns)  (Source: Maida Heatter's Cookies (Andrews & McMeel Publishing, 1997 ed.), pg. 188 and Cookies Are Magic (Voracious, 2020), pg. 148. I am just now getting around to making one of Maida's most popular recipes - Rugelach . This is a popular recipe that originated within the Jewish communities of Poland. I should have made them sooner as they are a huge hit. I was nudged by my friend Joanne who says she makes them every year. They are delicious and I can't wait to try them again and experiment with alternative fillings. I think that apples or chocolate would be fantastic. Michael and some friends thought that they were out of this world. I agree! The dough is made with cream cheese and is easy to work with. It does have to be chilled overnight before you make them. It is easy to work with and doesn't stick. I think this is a recipe that might take some practice. Mine were uneven and all over the place. They are easy to make, however, and no...

Walnut Cake (Source:  Maida Heatter's Cakes  (Andrews & McMeel Publishing, 2011 ed. , pg. 40) and  Maida Heatter's Book of Great American Desserts  (Alfred A. Knopf, 1982, pg. 129).   There are many walnut cakes sprinkled throughout Maida's books. My favorite so far has been the Small Walnut Torte but this one may surpass. The  Apricot and Walnut Applesauce Cake  was also good although the walnuts are secondary in that one. There are various other true walnut cakes, some made with whole wheat flour, another one a combination of wheat and plain flour and this one, which is made with just all-purpose flour. The cake is very grainy and the nutty exterior is delicious. This is one of those cakes where the flavor creeps up on you. You take a bite and don't think much about it but then you take another bite and another... This is one is delicious with your morning coffee! 2 1/2 cups walnuts 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt...

  Chocolate Almond Sp-icebox Cookies (Source: Maida Heatter's Book of Great Chocolate Desserts (Andrews & McMeel Publishing, 2006 ed.), pg. 126. Here's a nice cookie for Christmas. It is loaded with spices but not overly spicy in taste. You can make the dough and freeze it ahead of time if you prefer which is what I did. The cookies are crisp but when you bite into them, they are softer than you'd expect. The texture is similar to shortbread. I should have taken more time with forming the dough. My cookies are uneven but that does not affect the taste.  1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. instant espresso or instant coffee 1/8 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. ginger 1/8 tsp. pepper 1/8 tsp. cloves 1/8 tsp. allspice 1/8 tsp. nutmeg 1/8 tsp. dry mustard 3 oz. unsweetened chocolate 1/4 lb. (1 stick) sweet butter (softened) 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 2 1/2 oz. thinly sliced almonds (blanched or unblanced) Sift together the dry i...