Dria El
October 1st, 2001, 08:19 AM
SAMHAIN ANCESTRAL CAKES
by Mario Furtado
Jack-o'-lanterns glowing on the window sills, spicy incense wafting to the heavens, and figures dancing around blazing bonfires; it must be that most magical of nights-Samhain night. WOuldn't it be great if you served your Samhain celebrants and ancestors a truely magical treat? These cakes aree sure to please even the most finicky of spirits. These cakes have been a sweet addition to the Samhain feast at my house for as long as I can remember, and I truley hope that you'll add them to your Samhain table this year. Remember that while baking for a magical or ritual purpose you should visualize your intent. In this case, it's honoring your ancestors.
COOKIES
1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
3/4 cups brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch each: sage, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice
1 egg at room temperature
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup hazelnuts, finely chopped
GLAZE
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup confectionaer's sugar
2 drops orange food coloring
Few drops apple essence
Begin by sifting the dry ingredients in a medium sixed bowl. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter together until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, almond, and milk to the butter mixture. Stir the dry ingredients in portions into the butter and egg mixture, taking care not to over-stir the batter. Finally, fold in the hazelnuts and drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet . You can drop them into muffin tins instead; this will give you a more uniformly shaped cake. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 12-14 minutes. While baking, combine ingredients for glaze. To make apple essence, steep apple peels in vodka in a sterile, tightly sealed jar for a week or two. When cakes are done, cool & glaze.
by Mario Furtado
Jack-o'-lanterns glowing on the window sills, spicy incense wafting to the heavens, and figures dancing around blazing bonfires; it must be that most magical of nights-Samhain night. WOuldn't it be great if you served your Samhain celebrants and ancestors a truely magical treat? These cakes aree sure to please even the most finicky of spirits. These cakes have been a sweet addition to the Samhain feast at my house for as long as I can remember, and I truley hope that you'll add them to your Samhain table this year. Remember that while baking for a magical or ritual purpose you should visualize your intent. In this case, it's honoring your ancestors.
COOKIES
1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
3/4 cups brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch each: sage, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice
1 egg at room temperature
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup hazelnuts, finely chopped
GLAZE
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup confectionaer's sugar
2 drops orange food coloring
Few drops apple essence
Begin by sifting the dry ingredients in a medium sixed bowl. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter together until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, almond, and milk to the butter mixture. Stir the dry ingredients in portions into the butter and egg mixture, taking care not to over-stir the batter. Finally, fold in the hazelnuts and drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet . You can drop them into muffin tins instead; this will give you a more uniformly shaped cake. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 12-14 minutes. While baking, combine ingredients for glaze. To make apple essence, steep apple peels in vodka in a sterile, tightly sealed jar for a week or two. When cakes are done, cool & glaze.