Okay, so disclaimer. Our internet has not been working for the last few weeks. So when I posted something it was usually from my phone, which means I have been paying for data overages. But I really wanted to share this post because it was such a blast. This is from right before Christmas.
If you live in my area of Michigan (The Thumb) you should listen really close or if you plan to visit, perk those ears up! There is this awesome restaurant near the lake and it is called The Farm. The woman that owns it, Pam, went to culinary school and opened the restaurant in an old house. It has an old fashioned farmhouse feel inside and the food is to die for! She is so creative and the meals are scrumptious. If you are in the area you really should stop by. Pam does an amazing job and we are blessed to have such talent here in our small town area.
The Sunday before Christmas we were lucky enough to attend a cookie baking class hosted by The Farm. After the suggestion of a neighbor, my mom, my brother’s girlfriend, Sarah, and I all signed up. Let me tell you, Pam was a wonderful host. It was her first time hosting anything like that and she did a great job. These are the four main reasons why it was so great and these are in no particular order. .
A) We made cookies.
B) We didn’t have to do the dishes.
C) We made cookies.
D) Pam is a very funny and knowledgeable person and her employees are as well.
We made 8 different types of cookies and it was a blast. One of our favorites were these stained glass cookies. They were a basic sugar cookies and we cut the center out. In the center we put crushed up candy and as they baked the candy melted and made a window. You can use any color of candy and when my sister and Sarah made them later they added crushed up candy cane and it was awesome.
Pam, the restaurant owner, talked about doing cooking classes and if she does that I will be the first in line to sign up. Even though these cookies were Christmas they can be made any time of the year! Just use different color candy and any other cookie cutter shape.
- 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups butter, room temperature
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs.
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2. Sift flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
- 3. Beat butter and white sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy; beat in vanilla extract. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture on low speed until dough is just-combined.
- 4. Divide dough into 4 portions; refrigerate 3 portions. Roll remaining portion out on a lightly-floured work surface to 1/4-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut dough into desired shapes and transfer cookies to prepared baking sheet. Take a much smaller cookie cutter and cut a shape out in the center.
- 5. Using meat tenderizer crush up candy canes or other hard candy of choice. Fill in the center hole with the candy.
- 5. Bake in the preheated oven until slightly golden at the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat rolling, cutting, and baking process with remaining dough portions.
