Friday, December 12, 2014

Florentines Christmas Cookie Recipe and a Christmas Cat


 Florentines, ready to serve

This is a repeat of a recipe I posted in December of 2011. These are crisp, light, and delicious, a good enough reason to repeat the recipe today.

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I don't know why I'd never made these before. They're mostly almond, something I eat a lot! And then you add dark chocolate to the top. What a spectacular combination!


Florentines: Recipe
This recipe is from www.foodnetwork.com

5 oz. finely ground almonds (You can buy them that way, and they're a lot cheaper than whole or sliced almonds)
3 T. all-purpose flour
Finely grated zest of 1 orange (Appx. 2 T.)
1/4 t. fine salt
3/4 c. sugar
2 T. heavy cream (I used heavy whipping cream)
2 T. light corn syrup
5 T. butter
1/2 t. vanilla extract

Chocolate Topping, optional. (Optional??)
2-4 oz. semisweet chocolate (I used 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
I think that silicone baking mats work just as well.

Combine almonds, flour, zest and salt in a large bowl.

Put the sugar, cream, corn syrup, and butter in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally (I didn't take any chances. I stirred it constantly) until mixture comes to a rolling boil and sugar is completely dissolved. Continue to boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour mixture into almond mixture and stir just to combine. Set aside until cool enough to handle, about 30 minutes.

Scoop rounded teaspoons (I made dough balls that were the size of shooter marbles and got a dozen balls on each large baking sheet. They will spread out, so leave plenty of space around each dough ball.)

Just out of the oven

I had a dozen cookies on each of two baking sheets. It worked well to place one on the middle shelf and one of the shelf above that. I baked them for 5 minutes, switched pans to the opposite oven racks, and baked another 6 minutes. I let them completely cool on the pans before spreading chocolate on top.

In a double boiler, melt the semi-sweet chocolate pieces. I couldn't manage to drizzle this, but spread a spoonful onto each cookie, then sprinkled additional ground almonds on top.

These cookies need to be chilled to help the chocolate set up. Then they're ready to serve or store. Right now, I have a box of them sitting outdoors on the deck where it's -5 degrees F. (That was in 2011. This weekend we're supposed to see temperatures in the mid to upper 40s!)


EASY and DELICIOUS
FLORENTINES

on one of my mom's Christmas plates. :-)

I think that another time I would try a little harder to get the chocolate thin enough to drizzle a zigzag pattern on the cookies, rather than have chocolate on the entire top. They would look prettier that way. So then we have to decide if we're going for pretty or for more chocolate. It's a tough one, isn't it.

One more thing:
Guess who came downstairs to check out the Christmas tree. Later, I found her lying under the tree next to the Santa Lucia doll. 


Tuppence - 
Snoopin' around the Christmas Tree

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters

40 comments:

Stephanie said...

Oh Judy, these look SO good! I don't think I have ever had this kind of cookie and I am going to change that soon! :)

Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Thank you these look and sound delicious. Almonds sure are expensive thanks for the tip. Hug B

Nancy said...

I hope to make some cookies this weekend. My sister requested I bring some Sally Ann's when I visit.

Anonymous said...

Tuppence is looking for her Santa stocking!!! What a pretty photo of her and I love your tree. Thx for the recipe! Merry Christmas.

Debbie said...

Good morning! Well I can tell you these are right up my alley!! I love both chocolate and almonds, and together? well, doesn't get much better, lol. Sounds like a great recipe. Maybe I can get my dil to make some up? lol Enjoy your week-end!

TexWisGirl said...

guilty looking kitty! :)

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

I really should take up baking - though I hasten to say I am cooking for Mrs Britain tomorrow night. Your tree looks wonderful; even I am looking forward to doing a bit of decorating this weekend!

Lorrie said...

Yummy looking cookies. Crisp plus chocolate is a winner for me!

21 Wits said...

Well your photo has convinced me, I must try this recipe as well, and of course the chocolate topping, always!

21 Wits said...

I have to laugh at your kitty Tuppence, just like our kitty.

podso said...

Those cookies look like some my grandma used to make but I don't think there was any chocolate on top. As far as your kitty-so cute, she knows where the action is, huh?

MadSnapper said...

I hope Tuppence is snooping and not shopping... MOL... that tree is just beautiful and the cookies have my mouth watering.

Diane said...

Sounds good! And what is it with cats and laying under the tree? Mine used to do that too.

Deb said...

Thanks so much for the recipe, Judy. They look soooo good. "Well, hello there, Tuppence." My what big 'rascally' eyes you have today. Looks like someone has decorated a tree for you to snooze under. Enjoy!"

Ginny Hartzler said...

They look wonderful! So Tuppence is your cats name? I LOVE it! Has he bothered the tree yet? A gorgeous scene for sure, it is even prettier with your sweet kitty.

Chatty Crone said...

I think I am not sure I have seen those cookies at a bakery - and I bought one - and they are delicious. Love your tree!
sandie

Heide at ApronHistory said...

Oh those good! We are still baking and making, might have to give them a try.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I've had ground almonds in the fridge since my macaron baking event and have wondered what I'd do with the rest.
Your florentines look yummy and easy enough to make so I might give your recipe a try. Thanks for sharing it.
I miss having a cat due to hubby's allergy but the dog can be as inquisitive at checking everything out.

Arlene G said...

Looks so yummy!! Love your kitty's name! I am a fan of Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence!

Bethany Carson said...

Looks like a very neat recipe! Thanks for sharing.

Primitive Stars said...

Yummy recipe, thanks for sharing it with us.... Love the tree, pretty looking guilty kitty....Blessings Francine.

Anonymous said...

These look so yummy and right up my alley! Thanks for posting the recipe.

Brenda Leyland @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Miss kitty cat must be looking for some catnip in there. She's so sweet!

As for the Florentines, oh my, they look like toothsome morsels. Will you have a bite for us?

Happy day....
Brenda
xox

Sandi said...

YUMmy cookies!

And what a beautiful tree!

J said...

Sweet little Tuppence! So polite and respectful of your pretty tree! Wish I could say the same over here! We can't have icicles cuz of Charlie, need a tree stand grate cuz of Katie (drinks the water!), lost a vintage ornament cuz of Iggy - and, well, to see what Mickey's up to, pay a visit to my latest post!
Your blog is such a Christmas-y, cozy place to come!

Michelle said...

Hi, Judy!

Tuppence wants to play Santa this year :)

So many delectable goodies to add to my cooking on Christmas. I will add this recipe to my recipe book. Thanks!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Tuppence looks quite pretty and festive there! :)

Ruth Kelly said...

Your Tuppence looks right at home.

sweetbriardreams said...

My mouth is watering so much right now! I'm going to pin this one so I can make some tomorrow. I love the mixture of almonds and chocolate - have you ever mixed some Amarareto in with the chocolate? Dreamy! Oh and Tuppence is a little sweetie :-)

Empty Nester said...

Personally, I believe that more chocolate IS pretty. LOL

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Still wondering about a tree with Miss J -especially since we will be away for a few days.....

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

I always seem to see you post before I eat and not I am starving! Love the Kitty. Have a lovely week ahead.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

I always seem to see you post before I eat and not I am starving! Love the Kitty. Have a lovely week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Judy, your cookies look delicious.. Tuppence is searching for her gifts from Santa.. Cute shot.. Thanks for sharing the recipe.. Thanks also for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy day!

Hootin Anni said...

What a beautiful kitty Tuppence is. As is your tree!! Nothing can beat the sparkle of a Christmas Tree all lit up and watching in wonderment as we snack on your delicious cookies!!!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Those look delicious, thanks for the recipe!

Terri D said...

Oh my, those cookies look and sound so good! The chocolate topping is certainly NOT optional! LOL I used to use the outside as my freezer, too. One perk of living in the cold, cold climates.

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

No way is that chocolate optional! Those cookies look amazingly good! Your kitty Tuppance is very pretty, and I bet wouldn't mind a taste of a cookie or two.

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

This is one of my mom's favourite cookie... Thanks for reminding me she likes when I bake some for her!

Lynne said...

I think my mom used to make a cookie like that . . .
I remember the orange zest . . .

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