gingersnap cookies

December 12th, 2013

chef morgan cookies

a little holiday spice

gingersnap cookies

Bonjour. It has been a little longer than usual since I have written.  My time has been dominated by publishing deadlines and Paris apartment disasters (although I am learning that the words “disaster” and “Paris” are commonly used together when you live there). 

Thanksgiving left as quickly as it arrived. This year it was at our home in L.A. We ate a late dinner because many guests were coming to Los Angeles from out of town. Throughout the day I was cooking and my friend Celine was in the kitchen with me. When I reached in the baking pantry for something, I saw the molasses and the muscovado sugar. I grabbed them. Read the rest of this entry »

Mother’s Day recipe 2012: crunchy chocolate and espresso almond cookies

May 14th, 2012
mug on law book

studying for bar exam by Chef Morgan

Mother’s Day recipe 2012: 

baking cookies, having the courage to follow your heart,
and being true to the woman that you are:

crunchy chocolate and espresso almond cookies

Recently someone asked my oldest daughter: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  I remember being asked the same thing when I was her age. Watching her respond inspired this year’s Mother’s Day personal recipe for my daughters (below) and this week’s simple pleasure: crunchy chocolate and espresso almond cookies.  Read the rest of this entry »

crunchy chocolate and espresso almond cookies

May 14th, 2012

crunchy chocolate and espresso almond cookies

crunchy chocolate and espresso almond cookies

makes approximately 3 dozen

what you need:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
¼ cup finely chopped bittersweet (70%) chocolate
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla paste (or extract)
1 large fresh egg
¼ cup almond meal
1 cup all purpose flour
¼ cup cocoa powder (with alkali)
1 tablespoon black oynx cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup roasted crushed almonds
¼ cup crushed quality coffee beans Read the rest of this entry »

snickerdoodle cookies (à la Niçoise)

October 6th, 2011

Cinnamon Sticks and Snickerdoodle Cookies

snickerdoodle cookies (à la Niçoise)
This simple cookie, with its warming cinnamon and brown sugar,
is perfect for the turn in the weather. Enjoy.

Read the rest of this entry »

cookie dough is wonderful in all forms (date brown sugar cookies video)

October 22nd, 2010