Saturday, March 16, 2013

Pride and Prejudice: Lemon Crinkle Tea Cookies

"Good gracious!" cried Maria, after a few minutes' silence, 
"it seems but a day or two since we first came! and yet how many things have happened!"
"A great many indeed," said her companion with a sigh.
"We have dined nine times at Rosings, besides drinking tea there twice! 
How much I shall have to tell!"
Elizabeth added privately, "And how much I shall have to conceal!" 

~ Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Chapter 38

I had the most inspiring talk with a friend today.  She told me that her "word for the year" was  

AUTHENTICITY.  Authenticity, inside and out.  I don't know why this idea comes as such a revelation to me.  After all, I'd like to think that I am already an authentic person:  I say what I think (sometimes), I am a natural blond (mostly), and I wear minimal makeup (but only because I don't want to spend the time or money to wear lots of makeup).

But who am I really?  Sure, I dream of discovering that I am really a Pulitzer Prize writer with the heart of Gandhi who has the coordination of a Russian gymnast and the legs (and knee caps) of a Princess Barbie.  But that's not really me.  So, if I were being authentic to my true self, what would I do with my time?  What choices would I make?  How would I treat others?  How would I treat myself?

I'm realizing that in order to answer these questions, I am going to need a lot of heart-to-hearts with myself, God, and a really affordable therapist.

But here is one thing I do know:  I am girl who loves a beautiful tea cup. There is something about the graceful curve and melodious "clink" of a china cup that makes my heart flutter.  Maybe it's because I have three liters of English blood pumping through my veins.  Or maybe it is because I am going through "Downton Abbey" withdrawals.  Or maybe it is just because it is who I am--no explanation needed.



So in an effort to be "authentic" today, I bypassed the water bottles and the mismatched plastic tumblers in the cupboard and treated myself a drink from a blue chintz tea cup instead.  I could have sworn that while I held its delicate handle in my fingers, I was nicer, thinner, and smarter than I had been without it.


 The best part is that I paired my cup of passion fruit herbal tea with this lemon crinkle cookie.  These are a fresh, delicate, and zesty cookie that are the PERFECT accompaniment to ANY cup of tea.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

1 stick of butter
1 cup of sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1-2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups flour
1 cup powdered sugar (in separate bowl)

Cream butter and sugar.  Add egg, vanilla, lemon juice and zest.  Mix in dry ingredients.  Form into 1 inch balls and roll in powdered sugar.  Place on a cookie sheet at bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until the bottom of the cookie is golden brown and the top of the cookie has a matte (not glossy) finish.  When cool, dust with remaining powdered sugar (I hate to waste it) and serve with your favorite cup of tea.


So if whatever it is that your "authentic" self loves---whether it be tea parties or picnics in the orchard or feminine bedrooms --- EMBRACE IT!  As for me, I'm going to go embrace another cup of herbal tea and a Lemon Crinkle Cookie (or two).

Here's to AUTHENTICITY!

Sharing at . . .


12 comments:

  1. Deliciously looking! I must try with my Meyer lemons!! I adore your site!

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  2. I just made these same cookies two days ago! Great minds think alike. I had a little bit of fresh lemon juice leftover so I made a simple glaze with powdered sugar and drizzled it over the top. Nice and tangy!

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  3. Nothing is as authentic as a cup of tea, especially served in such a beautiful teacup as yours.

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  4. We love all things lemon...great recipe!...Bookmarking this recipe!

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  5. You are one of the most authentic women I know! That is why I just love you. Skip the expensive therapist and let's just go for a walk and maybe enjoy a cup of tea now then.

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  6. I love a good cookie with my tea! I have everything on hand so I think I could actually make these tonight. Yum! Lemon flavored things are a definite pregnancy craving of mine! :) I like to think I'm pretty English myself. Being raised on Jane Austen, The Bronte sisters, Agatha Christie, M.M. Kaye novels etc... it's kind of ridiculous. I'm a descendant of Anne Bradstreet so I guess it really is in my blood. :) Anyway, I so enjoy reading all of your posts! Have a great day. ~ Jamie

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  7. Just found your blog and I will be trying the lemon crinkle cookies out next week for one of my Easter desserts. I too love tea in beautiful cups!

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  8. Erika,
    Hi...I'm Pat...and I here to tell you I tried your Lemon Crinkle Cookies this past week.
    I L O V E these cookies, dear one!!!
    They are easy to make,
    make e x a c t l y 2 dozen cookies,
    they are soft,
    absolutely b e a u t i f u l,
    freeze like a dream,
    get a bit of c r u n c h if you leave them on the counter overnight
    . . .in other words...a "P e r f e c t " cookie!!!
    Thank you for sharing this recipe!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat
    P.S. I froze most to take to my 90 year old Dad, but then I had guest...
    so I defrosted a few and they were just as delicious as the day I baked them!!!
    Dad's favorite flavor of cake, cookies or pie is L e m o n!!! He'll be thrilled!!! :)

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  9. Oh, I wish I had one of these cookies to go with my tea right now. They look so yummy. I love anything LEMON. And for some reason, the blue tea cups are the prettiest to me. My wedding china was even in blue.

    Happy Easter,
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  10. Beautiful in every way - and thank you for this recipe! My husband seldom eats sweets but loves cookies LOVES lemon, so will have to try soon. Much obliged.

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  11. Erika, I would get along sooooo well with you and Miriam! You bring these cookies and I'll put the kettle on!

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  12. Wow, loving all the recipes and tea parties on your blog!

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