Georges Fruit Cookies Recipes

GOUGERES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a small mixing bowl, add the grated cheese and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper to the half-recipe of pate a choux. With a rubber spatula, scoop the pate a choux into the pastry bag and pipe out approximately 25 (1-inch) rounds, spaced 1 to 2 inches apart on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush lightly with the beaten egg and place in the oven. Cook until golden and puffed, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool briefly on a baking rack. Serve hot or at room temperature.
• In a small saucepan over high heat, bring the water, salt, sugar, and butter to a boil, making sure the butter is completely melted. Off the heat, add the flour all at once and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon. Return to the heat and continue beating until the dough forms a solid, smooth mass and pulls away from the sides of the saucepan. Take off the heat and empty the dough into a clean mixing bowl. Little by little add the beaten eggs, beating vigorously in between each addition, until the dough forms a smooth, supple mass. Divide the dough into 2 even quantities, 1 part to be used for the gougeres, the other for profiteroles.

FRUITCAKE COOKIES

Steps:

• Snip off the hard stems of the figs with scissors or a small knife and coarsely chop the figs. In a medium bowl, combine the figs, raisins, cherries, apricots, honey, sherry, lemon juice, pecans, and a pinch of salt. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit overnight at room temperature.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, cloves, superfine sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the egg and mix until incorporated. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt just until combined. Don't over mix! Add the fruits and nuts, including any liquid in the bowl.
• Divide the dough in half and place each half on the long edge of a 12 by 18-inch piece of parchment or waxed paper. Roll each half into a log, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4-inch thick, making an 18-inch-long roll. Refrigerate the dough for several hours, or until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• With a small, sharp knife, cut the logs into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place the slices 1/2-inch apart on ungreased sheet pans and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly golden.

FRENCH COOKIES (BELGI GALETTES)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the brown sugar and butter until smooth and creamy; then add eggs and vanilla, and beat well. Gradually stir in flour. Set bowl over a hot water bath, and stir to blend ingredients. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat the galette iron.
• Shape dough into 1 inch balls, and place in the galette iron. Close the iron, and cook the cookies. This should take about 30 seconds in an electric galette iron, or 2 to 4 minutes in a handheld iron over a medium flame. Carefully remove cookies and cool on wire racks.

FRUIT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 170C/ gas mark 4.
• Sprinkle a very light dusting of flour onto the baking tray
• Beat the margarine and sugar together until fluffy. Stir in the flour and chopped dried fruit to make a soft dough.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and divided the mixture in to 10-12 even sized balls
• Place them apart on the baking tray and flatten well with the back of the tablespoon.
• Cook for 12-15mins until evenly browned.
• Let cool a little before removing from the tray and placing to cool on the wire wrack.

COOKIES BY GEORGE

Steps:

• Cream sugars and margarine.
• Add remaining ingredients.
• Roll into golf ball size and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Flatten cookies with fork or bottom of glass.
• Bake at 375 deg. F for 8 - 10 minutes. Do not over bake.

FRUITY COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix the marmalade with 2 tbsp boiling water. Stir into the creamed mix, then add the spices, oats, flour and baking powder. Mix in the fruit and nuts.
• Dust your hands and surface with flour and roll the dough into a long sausage shape. Cut into about 20 discs. Place on a baking tray lined with baking parchment, spaced out as they will spread. Bake for about 25 mins until golden brown.