White Chocolate Chip and Cranberry Cookies

These are by far my favorite cookies of all time! As soon as cranberry season begins I can't wait to make these cookies. The recipe asks for dried cranberries but like I have stated in earlier posts, I love cranberry, so I refuse to use the dried and go for the fresh. You could also substitute vanilla for the brandy but come on who doesn't like a little alcohol?!

White Chocolate Chip and Cranberry Cookies


Ingredients


1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon brandy
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries

Directions


1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease cookie sheets.

2. Cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and brandy. Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into sugar mixture. Mix in the white chocolate chips and cranberries. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.

3. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Take them out while they are still doughy. Allow to cool for 1 minute on the cookies sheets before transferring.

Pipka Cake

A few years ago my mother-in-law introduced me to Door County and Pipka. Pipka (yes that is her name) has a shop in Sister Bay that sells her infamous Santas' and other cute items, especially cake!!! (http://www.pipkasofdoorcounty.com)


We were at Door County for our annual girls weekend when Sherrie introduced us to "Pipka Cake." Pipka sells the special pan at her store in Sister Bay and apparently she makes 6 cakes a week for her customers to enjoy.  


This cake is truly amazing because you can turn it into whatever you want! I happen to be a fan of chocolate chip or cranberry.  You don't need to have the pan  (you could use a meatloaf pan) but it's super cute and once you taste this cake you are going to want the pan!  The pan is called Rehrucken Baking Pan. Below is the basic recipe. I tend to like Vanilla extract better then Almond and I add fresh cranberries or chocolate chips. I will be trying to Turtle recipe soon! 

Pipka's Scandinavian Almond Cake
Beat well:
1 1/4 C sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp pure almond extract
2/3 C milk

Then mix in:
1 1/2 C flour
1/2 tsp baking powder

And slowly add:
1 stick melted butter

Butter cake pan. Pour batter into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 38-45 minutes until golden brown. Cool in pan for 6 minutes (this is critical in order for the cake to come out of the pan. I use a timer.) Invert cake onto cooling rack. Sprinkle with confectionary sugar before serving. Variation; Before pouring batter, sprinkle sliced almonds in the pan bottom. Recipe can easily be doubled. Cake freezes well.

VARIATIONS
* Substitute lemon extract and add zest of lemon
* Substitute lemon extract and add poppy seeds
* Substitute orange extract and add zest of orange
* Substitute vanilla extract and add blueberries
* Substitute rum extract and top with shredded coconut
OR ADD TO ORIGINAL RECIPE

* Blueberries
* Door County chopped dried cherries plus some chocolate chips
* Top cake with sliced almonds
* Spread cake with Nutella and jam!

Pipka's Special Turtle Cake
Mix up original recipe, putting half the dough in the pan. Then drizzle caramel sauce across the dough, then sprinkle mini chocolate chips and chopped nuts. Spoon in the rest of the dough and bake as always.