Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Chocolate Covered Sables (French Butter Cookies)


I hope you will not hate me when I tell you that I don't like cookies. I know, I know, what a weirdo. But it's true, I've always been like this, since I was a kid. There was only one kind of cookie that I've ever liked, and that is shortbread, or as Americans call it, a butter cookie. I mean, I have good taste, right, what's not to like in a butter cookie?

So the other day, I was home alone and decided that I should make a batch of cookies for some of my co-workers. I haven't fed them recently, and I was getting a little worried about the decreasing size of their waistlines. I kid, I kid. It's just that some of them have been really nice to me lately, and I wanted to say thank you.


I was browsing the blog of someone whose creations consistently delight me, and I came across a recipe for a French butter cookie. I don't think I've ever tried one of those before, I thought. Check on the Irish shortbread cookie, check on the Scottish shortbread cookie, check on the American and the Russian versions, but startlingly, no French. Oh boy, did I remedy that little oversight. The cookie by itself is a great little snack, but I decided to dress it up in chocolate and crushed walnuts, and that's when it all really sang. And then I got a little cookie-happy and made this:


Here is the recipe for the cookies. So cute, no?

For the ganache, I whisked equal parts of dark chocolate and cream over a double boiler until smooth and shiny (mine didn't come out very shiny this time, but oh well), dipped the cookies into it, lined them up on a piece of wax paper and sprinkled with crushed walnuts. I then refrigerated for about an hour and separated the cookies by carefully sliding a knife under each cookie to release from the paper. They were really quick and easy to make and a huge hit at work! Thanks, Helen for the recipe!

9 comments:

Peg said...

I love shortbread, too! Thanks for pointing out this version. I will have to enjoy it with my eyes only for at least a week after eating birthday cake.

Irene said...

LOL - birthday cake vs. shortbread cookie? Sorry, no competition, birthday cake wins! If it was your birthday, then best wishes and I hope you had a great one!

Cannelle Et Vanille said...

oh... i'm not much of a cookie person but buttery sables are in a different category. lovely!

Helene said...

I am like you...I only agree to get my cholesterol up for shortbreads and sables!! And I love having a couple after dinner with a glass of Saint Germain, my favorite liqueur!!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous. They look perfect Irene.
Thanks for your great story on the 'scarrops' too!

Snooky doodle said...

These look really nice.

Eileen said...

Hi again, Irene. I love your website. Great photos. I'm going to bookmark Confessions of a Tart and I'll be back often!

Anonymous said...

=] i just made them... and i think its best to roll it and i only needed to refridgerate one hour... and i cut it with a sharp knife.. i had perfect circles!

Irene said...

I'm in awe :) I never get perfect circles!!