First...
this was NOT my own creative idea.
I happened upon it while reading comments on another site
in my search for the Dorie Greenspan cookie recipe I shared with you.

Second...
this was such a clever concept...
I couldn't wait to try it out...

BAKiNG iN MASON JAR LiDS

Yes...that's right.
Using the band of a mason jar lid...
You've got yourself an instant alternative for baking with ring molds.
Ring molds are what Dorie Greenspan uses to bake her infamous French Sablés Jammers...
the cookies/recipe I shared with you last week for the Bloggers + Bakers Holiday Cookie Exchange.

Here's how it works...

After you've got your mason jar bands lined up on your cookie sheet...
simply press a portion of the Jammer cookie dough into the center of a band
until the edges of the dough meet all sides of the band.

Place a spoonful of jam into the center of the dough.
Sprinkle streusel around the jam.

My brilliant idea:

Use a small cookie cutter to place around your jam as you spoon on the streusel.

This makes it super easy to avoid getting the streusel into your jam center.

Bake as directed.

Once the cookies are a golden brown...

Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

My brilliant tip/technique for removing cookies from cookie sheet:

Press down and twist on the mason jar band - just as you would to open/close a jar.

This not only loosens the cookie from the baking sheet...

but it also breaks the seal between the cookie and the mason jar band.

Lift band/cookie from the baking sheet.

From the bottom of the mason jar band...

use your fingers to GENTLY push up on the cookie...

completely releasing it from the band.

Allow to cool completely. 

Store in airtight container 2-3 days.

Pretty cool, right?

I know I was intrigued...

I hope you were too.

And as always...

if you try this out - I'd LOVE to hear about your results.

Just leave a comment

or if you'd like to share photos, send them to: pnpflowers AT live DOT com

KEEPiNG iT REAL

My weekend? A bit hectic.

Christmas Tree hunting on Saturday with the family.

Put up 2 Christmas Trees (lights only right now).

Put lights on our bushes. (that only took about 30 minutes).

J's company Holiday Party Saturday night.

Neighborhood Christmas Party/Cookie Exchange Sunday afternoon.

Christmas Concert Sunday night.

AND...

I made the Chocolate Truffle Mini Tarts from Carrie

and the Chocolate Crinkles from Kim!

Both treats were a big hit with everyone.

iNSPiRE | Bloggers + Bakers Holiday Cookie Exchange

If you are hungry for some inspiration...

in the form of cookie recipes + fabulous creative packaging ideas...

I've got a surprise for you today that will surely feed you!

Some amazing Blogging + Baking friends have come together...

in the midst of this bustling, crazy, hectic holiday season...

to take the time to swap recipes and fun packaging ideas for gift giving.

Our hopes are to inspire one another...

and essentially to inspire all of YOU!!

So without further ado...

Here is my personal contribution...

for the 2012 Bloggers + Bakers Holiday Cookie Exchange...

THE COOKIE

French Sablés • Classic Jammers

recipe from Dorie Greenspan | Beurre and Sel

Seriously the most amazing cookie I've ever made - or tasted! It is absolutely delicious.

THE CREATIVE PACKAGING

Beverage Coasters

Silver ones I found at an antique store or Martha Stewart scalloped paper coasters

Coasters are perfect for creating a beautiful foundation for stacking these fabulous cookies...

or any cookies for that matter.
They add a beautiful finishing touch to otherwise basic packaging.

Simply wrap your stacked cookies in saran to maintain freshness...

Stack on coaster of choice...

finish by wrapping with ribbon.

THE RECIPE

French Sablés • Classic Jammers

recipe from Dorie Greenspan | Beurre and Sel

my personal notes/suggestions/experience are referenced in red

INGREDIENTS

Cookie Dough

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted

• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

• 2 large egg yolks, room temperature

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Streusel and Assembly

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

• 5 1/2 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
                Using room temp butter will not produce results you need! Trust me!! 

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3/4 cup thick jam, such as lingonberry, apricot, orange marmalade, and blackberry

Special equipment

• A 2-inch cookie cutter; 3 standard 12-cup muffin tins
I used mason jar rings for baking instead.  They worked beautifully. GO HERE for the How-To

PREPARATION

Cookie Dough

• Using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter in a large bowl until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.

                Add both sugars and salt; beat until well blended, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low; beat in egg yolks and

                vanilla. Add flour and mix just to combine. Dough will be soft and slightly sticky.

• Divide dough in half. Place each half between sheets of parchment or waxed paper. Flatten dough into disks.

                Working with 1 disk at a time, roll out dough, occasionally lifting paper on both sides for easy rolling, until 1/4

                inches thick. Freeze dough in paper until firm, at least 2 hours.
                DO AHEAD: Dough can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep frozen. 

Streusel

• Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Using your fingertips, rub butter and vanilla into dry

                ingredients until no large lumps remain and butter is well incorporated. Streusel will be sandy and hold its

                shape when pressed between your fingers. Cover and chill.
                I really took my time and enjoyed the process of hand-mixing. It was a bit therapeutic.
                DO AHEAD: Streusel can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.
                

ASSEMBLY

• Arrange a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°. 

• Using cookie cutter, cut out rounds of frozen dough from freezer. Place rounds in bottom of muffin cups and

                gently pat to flatten. Continue cutting frozen dough into rounds; gather scraps and repeat process of rolling out

                and cutting to make 34 rounds. Cover muffin tins with foil and chill in freezer until dough is firm, about 30

                minutes or up to 2 days.

• Spoon about 1 teaspoon jam into the center of each round of dough. Using your fingers or a small spoon,

                sprinkle 1-1 1/2 tablespoons streusel around edges of each cookie, trying not to get any in the jam. 

• Bake cookies, in batches if needed, until sides and streusel are golden, 20-22 minutes.
                Mine baked for 25 minutes and I still think I should've let them get a little more golden.
                Let cool in tins for 15 minutes. Run a small knife around edges of muffin cups; gently remove cookies
                and let cool completely on a wire rack.
                DO AHEAD: Cookies can be baked 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

ADDITIONAL INSPIRATION

Be sure to visit the blogs for each of these lovely ladies to preview their contributions for the Cookie Exchange this year:

Kim | The TomKat Studio

Jenn | Hostess with the Mostess

Carrie | Half Baked :: The Cake Blog

Glory | Glorious Treats

Marian | Sweetopia

I'd like to personally thank all of the sweet friends who participated.
It's an exceptionally busy time of year...
which is why I sincerely appreciate the time to you took to help make this happen.
Thank You.

And thanks to all of you for being here...
Here's to a fabulous Holiday Season for all of us!

RESOURCES

Pink Paper Coasters - Martha Stewart Vintage Girl Collection