Martha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share [Paperback]

Martha Stewart Living Magazine (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 11, 2008

The perfect cookie for every occasion.

Cookies are the treat that never disappoints. Whether you’re baking for a party or a picnic, a formal dinner or a family supper–or if you simply want something on hand for snacking–there is a cookie that’s just right. In Martha Stewart’s Cookies, the editors of Martha Stewart Living give you 175 recipes and variations that showcase all kinds of flavors and fancies. Besides perennial pleasers like traditional chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin, there are other sweet surprises, including Rum Raisin Shortbread, Peppermint Meringue Sandwiches with Chocolate Filling, and Lime Meltaways.

Cleverly organized by texture, the recipes in Martha Stewart’s Cookies inspire you to think of a classic, nostalgic treat with more nuance. Chapters include all types of treasures: Light and Delicate (Cherry Tuiles, Hazelnut Cookies, Chocolate Meringues); Rich and Dense (Key Lime Bars, Chocolate Mint Sandwiches, Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies); Chunky and Nutty (Magic Blondies, Turtle Brownies, White Chocolate-Chunk Cookies); Soft and Chewy (Snickerdoodles, Fig Bars, Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies); Crisp and Crunchy (ANZAC Biscuits, Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti, Almond Spice Wafers); Crumbly and Sandy (Cappuccino-Chocolate Bites, Maple-Pecan Shortbread, Lemon-Apricot Sandwiches); and Cakey and Tender (Lemon Madeleines, Carrot Cake Cookies, Pumpkin Cookies with Brown-Butter Icing).

Each tantalizing recipe is accompanied by a lush, full-color photograph, so you never have to wonder how the cookie will look. Beautifully designed and a joy to read, Martha Stewart’s Cookies is rich with helpful tips and techniques for baking, decorating, and storing, as well as lovely gift-packaging ideas in standout Martha Stewart style.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

MARTHA STEWART LIVING magazine was first published in 1990. Since then, more than two dozen books have been published by the magazine’s editors. MARTHA STEWART is the author of dozens of bestselling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the popular daily syndicated television show.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Rum Raisin Shortbread
 
*Makes about 4 1/2 dozen*
 
This crumbly shortbread is studded with dried currants, which are tiny
raisins made from Zante grapes. The currants must be soaked overnight,
so you'll need to plan your craving a day in advance.
 
    * 1/2 cup dark rum
    * 1 cup currants
    * 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
    * 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
    * 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
    * 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    * 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    * 3/4 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut
    * 1 teaspoon coarse salt
 
1. Combine rum and currants in an airtight container; let sit at room
temperature overnight. Drain; reserving 2 tablespoons rum.
 
2. Put butter, confectioners' sugar, and zest in the bowl of an electric
mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until creamy and smooth,
about 2 minutes. Add vanilla and reserved rum. Beat well, scraping down
the sides of the bowl as necessary. Reduce speed to low. Add flour,
coconut, and salt, and beat for 3 minutes. Stir in currants by hand.
Divide dough in half and form each into a log about 1/2 inches in
diameter; wrap in parchment, and refrigerate 1 hour (or up to 3 days).
 
3. Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove dough from parchment; slice into
1/4-inch-thick rounds. Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets,
spacing about 1 inch apart. Bake until pale golden, about 20 minutes,
rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer to wire racks to cool
completely. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room
temperature up to 1 week.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Clarkson Potter; 1st edition (March 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307394549
• ISBN-13: 978-0307394545
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.9 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (175 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Baking > Cookies
  • #30 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Baking > Desserts

More About the Author

Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of bestselling books on cooking, entertaining, homekeeping, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the Emmy-winning daily syndicated television program, and founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which publishes several magazines, including Martha Stewart Living; produces Martha Stewart Living Radio; and provides a wealth of ideas and information on her website.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

101 of 109 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Enough variety to tempt any appetite ;-O March 12, 2008

By Little Miss Cutey

Format:Paperback

I love baking and I love cookies. That's what encouraged me to purchase this book and I'm so glad I did. There are around 175 recipes; I now have enough cookie recipes to last a lifetime and all the new possibilities of flavours makes my head spin.
I am so glad to see she made ANZAC cookies (something really popular in New Zealand and Australia). They are so devine and definately worth trying. I also love the Lemon-Apricot Sandwiches and the Chocolate Meringues. There are fantastic pictures to go along with them all (making them all the more tempting) and I can't wait to make more than the three I've done already. It's a good way to broaden your taste bud horizons because the variety is endless. I also find her instruction easy to follow which is so important.
If you are someone who loves baking and want to try some old favourites or new kinds, it's one of the better books I've seen. I love it and imagine it will be used many many times down the road.

57 of 60 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful & Delicious! March 13, 2008

By J. Cartwright

Format:Paperback

I purchased Martha's special cookie magazine at Christmas a few years back, and it's simply falling apart now because I've made her cookies again and again. I was excited to see this book as a lot of my favorites from the cookie mag are included and the protective book allows me to keep these yummy recipes in one safe place. The photos are stunning - there's a pictorial table of contents (very unique!) based on things like 'soft and chewy' and 'crisp and crunchy' and there's even a delightful section in the back that shows you how to package your cookies for gifting. I simply can't wait to try the all the recipes!

55 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have. March 11, 2008

By a. costello

Format:Paperback

I pre-ordered my book and just received it today. There is a colorful picture for every cookie recipe. I just baked (pictured on the front cover) chewy chocolate Gingerbread cookies and the smell, texture and taste came out sensational. Honestly this is a book worth buying.