Apple Kuchen ~ Baking Chez Moi

Per Nana ~

The recipe for this week was interesting and not something I had 

tried before.  I love pie crust and this one was no exception. It was 

easy to make, as most of Dorie's crusts are, and using graham cracker 

crumbs as the first layer definitely added another level of flavor.  

I baked the kuchen for 70 minutes and after I tested it I added another 

10 minutes, then another 20 minutes.  In all I had baked the cake for over

 two hours and finally removed it from the oven, hoping it would set up 

while it cooled.  After a few hours (when it had reached room temperature) 

I cut into it and found it had a soft, pudding like texture and was a bit 

messy but so delicious.  

I chilled the leftovers and thought it was even more delicious when cold.  

I will definitely add this to my collection of pie recipes. 

Per Tricia ~

I can honestly say the change in weather has made it a delight to be back

 in the kitchen. With the oven actually turned on :) The air is crisp and the 

days are shorter and making an "apple anything" is as full of seasonal 

memories as it is full of taste. And calories, but we will not speak of these with 

Dorie's delicious recipe that includes butter, sugar and heavy cream. 

Yup- it had to be good with that line up.

 And it was. 

 Even though the recipes describes what appears to be a long process, 

as usual I ended up doing it one evening after work. It was not the game 

plan, but such is life. It turned out to be a great "filler" activity as we prepared 

dinner, ate it and then popped the kuchen in for the long bake afterward. 

In addition to gaining a great new recipe this week, the kuchen served

 as a wonderful reminder that you don't need special occasions to enjoy a 

homemade dessert or new recipe. In fact, I think I appreciate them even

  more on a typical weeknight when they are the star and get all the attention.

                       
This marks another Tuesday recipe testing as we cook along with the "Tuesdays with Dorie" online group.  Please note that we do not post the recipes, per the group rules, but we do encourage others to RUN out and buy their own copy of Dorie Greenspan's "Baking Chez Moi".  Better yet, buy the book and JOIN THE GROUP ! www.TuesdaysWithDorie.wordpress.com

Jam Filled Sandwich Cookie ~ Baking Chez Moi

Per Nana ~

This week's recipe reminds me of shortbread, but a lot sweeter. I did find the 

dough a bit difficult to work with but in the end it all came together beautifully.

Since I only had a 2-1/2" cookie cutter my yield was only 9 

cookies instead of the dozen or so that Dorie mentioned.

I filled a few with cherry jam and the rest of the cookies with marmalade. 

Both were delicious.  I added additional time to the baking (because

 of the size) but they turned out pretty good. 

Per Tricia ~

I am very much looking forward to baking in the COOLER weather 

(whenever it arrives...) but I managed to make these delicious cookies even 

though it was in the mid 80's in my kitchen.  I am a fan of jelly cookies,

 well truthfully - most cookies, and was curious to try this French version.    

I used delicious Michigan Damson Plum jam that my in-laws brought us. The cookies
 were so good I don't think it would not have mattered what I filled them with :) 

I do find working with the dough that has so much confectionary sugar in it 

to be more challenging, but the texture/flavor of the finished product is worth it. 

I added more cane sugar to the outside but next time will use confectioner's.

So while I will not likely be making these often, I am making a note to find

 my heart cookie cutters and plan to make a batch for Valentine's Day.

This marks another Tuesday recipe testing as we cook along with the "Tuesdays with Dorie" online group.  Please note that we do not post the recipes, per the group rules, but we do encourage others to RUN out and buy their own copy of Dorie Greenspan's "Baking Chez Moi".  Better yet, buy the book and JOIN THE GROUP ! www.TuesdaysWithDorie.wordpress.com