Cooking
Page 108 in the old book / page 149 in the new book
I'm a sucker for anything resembling pecan pie, and this cookie certainly qualifies on that count. I particularly liked these Georgia Pecan Bars because, like my mom's pecan pie, they're not overly sweet. The pecan flavor is what you notice first, rather than a gooey sweet filling.
Unlike similar cookies, the base for these cookies is not prebaked. As a result, it has a softer, more crumbly texture and is less distinct from the topping. The base is sweetened with dark brown sugar, which also serves to unify the base and topping flavorwise.
I have not yet replaced my 13x9 pan, but I did better this time in adjusting the temperature and timing to accomodate the dark pan I have. Rather than lining only the bottom of the pan with foil as instructed, I decided to line the whole pan. I prefer to lift the finished cake out rather than risk destruction by dumping it out. I buttered the foil all over and then tried my best to just dust the bottom with bread crumbs. After pressing the crust into the pan, I used a paper towel to wipe off most of the stray bread crumbs on the sides.
Here's the panel...
Suzanne: "Well, I don't think it was worth going off of my diet for this pecan bar. It looked like a small pecan pie (in bar shape) but did not have the sweetness of a pecan pie. It was missing the richness of pecan pie. Rating - 3.0"
Denny: "Very good and crunchy. Rating - 4.0"
Laura: "Pecan "Pie" in a bar cookie - Yummy!! Rating - 4.0"
Phil: "For joy, the march of Maida's bar cookies continues. Golden brown, moist yet firm texture, and pecan pie sweet. Makes one take a breath after a couple of bites. P.S. Disregard whatever Denny says this week. His attention has been totally diverted to his cherished home team's (Pittsburgh) participation in the upcoming super bowl game. Spotted him testing out a black cape to evaluate at what "running" speed it would start to billow... Rating - 4.8"
Overall rating by the panel - 4.0
Next week - Pecan Festival Bars
Nutrition Facts
- Mondays With Maida - Sour Cream And Pecan Dreams
Page 229 in the old book / page 254 in the new book These cookies are formed like thumbprint cookies, with a smidgen of brown sugar, sour cream, pecan, and cinnamon filling. They are firm, but not quite chewy and have a hint of cinnamon from the filling....
- Mondays With Maida - Black-and-white Coconut Slices
Page 126 in the old book / page 164 in the new book Zarah is here! Zarah is here! Actually, I should say, Zarah and Martin are here! And I'm enjoying their company way too much to sit here writing about cookies, so this will be short but sweet......
- Mondays With Maida - Pecan Chews
Page 110 in the old book / page 149 in the new book Typically these bar cookie recipes have each called for one or two sticks of butter. I did a double-take when I looked at the list of ingredients for these Pecan Chews - they have no butter in them....
- Mondays With Maida - Dutch Chocolate Bars
Page 82 in the old book / page 128 in the new book A crunchy oatmeal and pecan cookie base topped with a brownie-like layer. I have to admit - these look and sound good. But there was a clear consensus this week among the cookie panelists and myself,...
- Mondays With Maida - The Farmer's Wife's Pecan Cookies
Page 47 in the old book / page 81 in the new book What a difference a cup or so of flour makes! These cookies have the same ingredients as last week's cookies, but with more flour, less sugar and less butter. While last week's Praline Wafers...
Cooking
Mondays with Maida - Georgia Pecan Bars
Page 108 in the old book / page 149 in the new book
I'm a sucker for anything resembling pecan pie, and this cookie certainly qualifies on that count. I particularly liked these Georgia Pecan Bars because, like my mom's pecan pie, they're not overly sweet. The pecan flavor is what you notice first, rather than a gooey sweet filling.
Unlike similar cookies, the base for these cookies is not prebaked. As a result, it has a softer, more crumbly texture and is less distinct from the topping. The base is sweetened with dark brown sugar, which also serves to unify the base and topping flavorwise.
I have not yet replaced my 13x9 pan, but I did better this time in adjusting the temperature and timing to accomodate the dark pan I have. Rather than lining only the bottom of the pan with foil as instructed, I decided to line the whole pan. I prefer to lift the finished cake out rather than risk destruction by dumping it out. I buttered the foil all over and then tried my best to just dust the bottom with bread crumbs. After pressing the crust into the pan, I used a paper towel to wipe off most of the stray bread crumbs on the sides.
Here's the panel...
Suzanne: "Well, I don't think it was worth going off of my diet for this pecan bar. It looked like a small pecan pie (in bar shape) but did not have the sweetness of a pecan pie. It was missing the richness of pecan pie. Rating - 3.0"
Denny: "Very good and crunchy. Rating - 4.0"
Laura: "Pecan "Pie" in a bar cookie - Yummy!! Rating - 4.0"
Phil: "For joy, the march of Maida's bar cookies continues. Golden brown, moist yet firm texture, and pecan pie sweet. Makes one take a breath after a couple of bites. P.S. Disregard whatever Denny says this week. His attention has been totally diverted to his cherished home team's (Pittsburgh) participation in the upcoming super bowl game. Spotted him testing out a black cape to evaluate at what "running" speed it would start to billow... Rating - 4.8"
Overall rating by the panel - 4.0
Next week - Pecan Festival Bars
Nutrition Facts
- Mondays With Maida - Sour Cream And Pecan Dreams
Page 229 in the old book / page 254 in the new book These cookies are formed like thumbprint cookies, with a smidgen of brown sugar, sour cream, pecan, and cinnamon filling. They are firm, but not quite chewy and have a hint of cinnamon from the filling....
- Mondays With Maida - Black-and-white Coconut Slices
Page 126 in the old book / page 164 in the new book Zarah is here! Zarah is here! Actually, I should say, Zarah and Martin are here! And I'm enjoying their company way too much to sit here writing about cookies, so this will be short but sweet......
- Mondays With Maida - Pecan Chews
Page 110 in the old book / page 149 in the new book Typically these bar cookie recipes have each called for one or two sticks of butter. I did a double-take when I looked at the list of ingredients for these Pecan Chews - they have no butter in them....
- Mondays With Maida - Dutch Chocolate Bars
Page 82 in the old book / page 128 in the new book A crunchy oatmeal and pecan cookie base topped with a brownie-like layer. I have to admit - these look and sound good. But there was a clear consensus this week among the cookie panelists and myself,...
- Mondays With Maida - The Farmer's Wife's Pecan Cookies
Page 47 in the old book / page 81 in the new book What a difference a cup or so of flour makes! These cookies have the same ingredients as last week's cookies, but with more flour, less sugar and less butter. While last week's Praline Wafers...