Looking back over the last couple of years on my blog, I noticed a trend. I seem to start the new year with some lemon based dessert/baked item. I'm not sure why but I crave citrus this time of the year. It is a refreshing change from the rich, decadent desserts that pervade the holiday season. With the New Year, I get a feeling of fresh start, or a new beginning. So maybe that's why I find citrus so appealing this time of the year.
What seems fresher than lemons, possibly only lime! That's partially what drew me to this recipe. The other reason I wanted to make these cookies is because I'd never a cookie with cornmeal as an ingredient. In the spirit of New Years, this year I want to challenge myself to bake and cook things I've never tried before. That's about as close as I'm getting to a resolution.
source: Southern Living, Jan 2011 (adapted)
(Printable recipe)
Makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup plain yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon lime zest
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Wax or parchment paper
Optional sugar mix for rolling:
1/4 crystallized cup sugar
1 tablespoon lime zest
Method:
Combine flour and cornmeal. Beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and next 3 ingredients, beating until blended. Gradually add flour mixture, beating just until blended after each addition. Cover and chill dough 1 hour. Shape dough into a 12-inch log using wax paper. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill 8 hours.
If using, stir crystallized sugar and zest together, Spread on a piece of parchment paper or on your work surface, Unwrap the cookie log and roll log in the sugar mixture. Try to coat the log evenly, pressing lightly to help sugar to adhere.
Preheat oven to 375°. Using a sharp knife, cut log into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Transfer to wire racks; cool completely.
When I tasted these cookies, I thought they were pretty good. They had a nice subtle lime flavor, but I wanted to kick that up a little more so I decided to add a lime glaze. I think it made these cookies even better.
The glaze on these cookies is a totally optional addition...well maybe for you, for me it's mandatory!
Lime Glaze
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
2-3 tablespoons lime juice
zest from one lime
In a bowl, stir confectioners sugar and lime juice together. Stir until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, thin out by adding more lime juice, a teaspoon at a time until you get a glaze like consistency. Stir in lime zest
Place cookies on a baking rack over a baking sheet, to catch any drips. Drizzle on about a teaspoon of the glaze on the cookies. Wait about 5 minutes for the glaze to set-up slightly.
11 comments:
I love citrus any time of the year, so I'm with you. It's a light, bright, cheery flavor, isn't it? These sound so good -- I love cornmeal in baked goods. The shot with the icing actually made my tastebuds squelch! YUM.
These look great! Definitely going on my to do list. I love the citrusy take on cornmeal.
omg, that last picture. I just want to swipe my finger through that dripping frosting. delicious. thank you for sharing this recipe. it is so unique (for me, at least).
I've made cookies with cornmeal before christmas and everyone loved them. Happy New Year!
This looks like an interesting combo that I'd love to try
Very interesting. Your pictures alone make me want to make them now. I love that you are committed to trying new recipes and new combinations this year. I'm excited to see what you have in store.
very nice! i'm quite excited about that roll in raw sugar and lime zest--we should all be so lucky! :)
Okay, I get Southern Living, but I never saw these cookies! Putting cornmeal in a cookie sounds so strange to me...but they look and sound amazing! Love your pictures - and that icing pic made me cry a little. Fantastic!
@doughmesstic The recipe is with all the citrus recipes in this months Southern Living. There's no picture. I had flipped through the mag a couple of times before I noticed this recipe.
I added the rolling the dough in sugar and the lime glaze...I think it makes them even better!
These look very cool, with the flavor palate. I have a very similar recipe from the cookbook The Sweeter Side of Amy's Bread, and now I'm feeling inspired to try it.
These cookies, and the glaze, are amazingly good. I love the tartness of the lime. I made them, along with the Rosemary Spiced Nuts, for Superbowl Sunday and they were both so addictive!
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