Monday, April 30, 2012

Anne of Green Gables April: Raspberry Cordial and Peanut Butter Cookies

"I can just imagine myself sitting down at the head of the table and pouring out the tea," said Anne, shutting her eyes ecstatically. "And asking Diana if she takes sugar! I know she doesn't but of course I'll ask her just as if I didn't know. And then pressing her to take another piece of fruit cake and another helping of preserves. Oh, Marilla, it's a wonderful sensation just to think of it. Can I take her into the spare room to lay off her hat when she comes? And then into the parlor to sit?"
"No. The sitting room will do for you and your company. But there's a bottle half full of raspberry cordial that was left over from the church social the other night. It's on the second shelf of the sitting-room closet and you and Diana can have it if you like, and a cooky to eat with it along in the afternoon."
-Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maude Montgomery


I looked up several Raspberry Cordial recipes, and none of them seemed quite right, as they called for whiskey, and I am pretty sure that's not the recipe Marilla used. But I came across this gem from the "Anne of Green Gables Cookbook," by Kate MacDonald, and it is lovely. Refreshing and delicious, it is basically a twist on a raspberry lemonade. Also, it's a lovely color. Try it. You'll love it!


Raspberry Cordial
(Slightly adapted from Kate MacDonald's recipe)

  • 2 C. Raspberries (Fresh or Frozen)
  • 1 1/4 C. Sugar
  • 3 Lemons
  • 6 Cups Water

Mash raspberries and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Add juice of the first two lemons. bring just to a simmer, and remove and strain. Add water and garnish with slices of lemon if desired.


And since Anne serves cookies with raspberry cordial, I have to share my favorite new cookie:


Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies with Peanut Butter Cream Filling
These are like Girl Scout's Do-Si-Do's only WAY BETTER!
(Adapted from allrecipes and Two Peas and Their Pod)

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup Regular Oats
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter or margarine, 1/2 cup peanut butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add egg and beat well.

In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Put the oatmeal in a food processor and grind until it's a fine, sandy texture. Add to creamed mixture and stir.

Drop by teaspoons onto greased baking sheet, and press each mound down with a fork to form 1/4 inch thick cookies. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes, or until edges just begin to brown.

To Make Filling: Cream 3 tablespoons butter with powdered sugar and 1/2 cup peanut butter. Then add the cream and beat until nice and fluffy (About 3-5 minutes). Spread between cookie halves, and sandwich them together. Enjoy!

I double this recipe because I get so frustrated by baking 36 cookies and only having 18 in the end. Not like that's not enough, but believe me: you will want more than 18 of these. Especially if you are expected to be sharing.


And there you have it: All the wonderful flavors of peanut butter and jelly, only with more sugar and fat, and less of that whole grain bread getting in the way :)

Linking Up:


17 comments:

  1. The raspberry cordial looks delicious! I like how natural it sounds with the raspberries and the lemon. The cookies look amazing! Yummo!! ~ Jamie

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  2. Oh my word, I must try this. I remember dreaming of raspberry cordial as a child because Anne made it sound so lovely. :) Excellent! And the cookies look perfectly yummy too :)

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  3. What a lovely snack! Your cordial looks so refreshing! And those cookies!!! Delicious!

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  4. These peanut butter oatmeal cookies look so delicious. I have had them before, but never with the peanut butter cream filling. I wish I had one to go with my coffee right now.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  5. Hello Miriam,
    Oh my goodness, your cookies look amazing! I love peanut butter cookies but never thought of using a filling in between. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. Living on PEI, we have access to Raspberry Cordial everywhere we go. Yours looks delicious too. I am so happy you stopped by and linked up for tea today. It's very nice to meet you. I'm following you back. Enjoy this first day of May!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  6. The cookies look decadent! I think the raspberry cordial would be nice on a hot summer day, thanks for sharing your recipe.

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  7. Amei seu blog. Gosto muito de leitura, e as receitas muito bem apresentadas.
    Obrigada por seu comentário em meu blog.
    Beijos
    Rose

    http://amigasqueengordam.blogspot.com/

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  8. How fun! I might have to serve raspberry cordial at my tea party! That is perhaps one of my favorite scenes in the movie "Anne of Green Gables" where Anne mistakes wine for cordial. Hilarious! I just love your blog! How do you choose your themes?

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  9. Thanks so much for commenting on my blog. Would love for you to share this wonderful post on Simple & Sweet Fridays. Your recipes look delicious! New Follower on your wonderful site!

    Jody

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  10. Oh, my goodness! I want to try both of these recipes! My favorite food is peanut butter! And the raspberry cordial sound so refreshing right now! Thanks for sharing these!

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  11. The cookies look so good as does the raspberry cordial. They look just like do-si-dos and I bet they taste just as good! I would love if you would share this and any other posts at Showcase Your Talent Thursday http://whatscookinglove.blogspot.com/2012/05/showcase-your-talent-thursday-5.html. I hope to see you there!

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  12. oh what fun
    and one of my favorite chapters
    from the book

    just pinned it
    so i can make it
    as a treat this summer

    thanks for sharing
    at Fridays Unfolded!

    alison

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  13. Trying your raspberry recipe - and it's in such a lovely glass!
    JoAnn
    sweetpepperrose.blogspot.com

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  14. Hi Miriam! We are at the same tea party over at Sandi's. Thank-you for sharing Marilla's raspberry cordial recipe :-). I found a cute pin of Anne in THE dress...Keep Calm And Demand Puffed Sleeves Denise englishpurpleribbon

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  15. Thanks so much for sharing on Simple & Sweet Fridays. Have a wonderful week!

    Jody

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  16. Oh my, these look good. I may have to whip some of these up.

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  17. I need a bedtime snack! These cookies would be perfect!

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