Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Cornmeal-Lime Cookies

I'm always drawn to a cornmeal-lime cookie, but I'm not always happy with what I get. Some versions tend to be dry and often the lime is barely discernible. Well, I can stop trying every version that comes along, because I've found one that delivers big in texture and taste. These cookies are from the new book Flour, and I told you I'd be mentioning it frequently around here. They bake up puffed and light with a tender, almost cake-like crumb, they have great cornmeal flavor, and the lime is both noticeable and delicious. The thick glaze that's brushed onto each cookie adds a sweet, tart layer on top with bits of lime zest adding decoration. I made some of these at the recommended size of about one quarter cup of dough per cookie, and I made a some at a smaller size. The smaller sized cookies worked fine and still had the same tender texture. What I really should have done was double the recipe, and next time I definitely will.

Making the cookies started with the standard creaming together of butter and sugar. Lime zest was added with eggs and vanilla followed by a whisked-together mix of flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. As I mentioned, the cookies were formed from one quarter cup scoops of dough, and the scoops were slightly flattened with the palm of my hand. Do you use an ice cream scoop for placing cookie dough on baking sheets? I started doing that years ago, and I use scoops for muffins too. Some scoops break easily or the sliding arm that glides through the scoop seems to constantly pop out of its track. If you've ever had that problem, I may have the solution for you. Food scoops work better than ice cream scoops, and they come in all different sizes. I used the 2.07 ounce scoop here. The large cookies baked for about 25 minutes, and the slightly smaller ones I made baked for about 20 minutes. The glaze was made with confectioners' sugar, water, fresh lime juice, and lime zest. Once the cookies were cool, the glaze was brushed onto the tops, and they were left to dry.

I noticed a look of surprise that came upon each person who tasted these cookies, and they surprised me too. They're simple cornmeal-lime cookies, but they're different and better. That light texture and the great flavor make them the best of their kind that I've tried. I know I'll be baking these repeatedly, but first I have to find out what else there is to discover in this book.



33 comments:

  1. Luv all cookies with cornmeal! These are a must-make! Also love Flour Bakery - it was a frequent stop back in the day... (their banana bread has a cult following...!!!) Lovely post!

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  2. Those are some of my favorite cookies! Yours look delightful and so flaky.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  3. That's it, I'm getting the book, I love that combination of lime and cornmeal and I definitely trust your judgement. Plus these look amazing

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  4. Huh, what an interesting combination with the lime in the cornmeal. That is definitely something that I would not have imagined on my own. I am with OysterCulture, I trust your judgement, since everything you do always looks so fabulous!

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  5. I love the combo of flavors in these!

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  6. I don't think I've never had cornmeal lime cookies but they sound fabulous. Now I don't have to mess around looking for the best recipe out there - you've clearly found it!

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  7. this looks so yummy! love this post. i will try this out soon.

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  8. The "almost cake-like" description intrigues me. Imagining the taste of cornmeal, butter, and lime ... Mmmm...

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  9. Lisa, I never had cookies made with cornmeal...and sure know that I'll like them, specially with lemon :-)

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  10. I do love cornmeal cookies and what a lovely bright flavor with lime, must try for sure!

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  11. always love a hint of citrus in my pastries ... these cookies with cornmeal and lime sound like a winning combi.

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  12. I love cornmeal cookies but I've only had really crispy ones. Can't wait to try these softer cookies. Also, I love your first picture of the cookies with the bite missing. Makes me want a cookie right now!

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  13. Wow., this is a newbie for me, I haven't made cookies from cornmeal but the lime zing sounds wonderful. I like it, thanks.

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  14. two things i've never had--cornmeal cookies and lime cookies. very interesting, lisa--they seem to have the perfect cookie texture!

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  15. They look positively lovely, they look like they would just melt in the mouth!
    *kisses* HH

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  16. I've never had cornmeal cookies!? I think I'm missing out.. I've been hearing a lot about Flour too so I think I need to check that out as well!

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  17. You've convinced me - I have to buy that book. My baking book shelf is groaning under the weight of many volumes, but it looks like I can't spend another day without this book!

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  18. Wow, those cookies look amazing!

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  19. I find that citrus zest is a life savior during the winter months... A wonderful way to spike those delicious cookies of yours!

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  20. Cookies with cornmeal must be very crunchy. I like the cookies with citrus zest too.

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  21. Any cookie with citrus is so good. Love yours.

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  22. Great idea to use the big bag of cornmeal that I've got! And the food scoop looks really interesting-does it work very differently from an ice cream scoop? :D

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  23. Lorraine: The food scoop is a little more heavy-duty than an ice cream scoop. So, it seems to work better for thick or chunky cookie dough than ice cream scoops do.

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  24. Love the flavour combination, and the simplicity of taste. The crumb looks 'melt in the mouth' good!

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  25. Do you think they're better with lime or lemon? I only ask because my Meyer lemons are ripening on the tree right now, and I'm making a list of all the fabulous treats to make with 'em.

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  26. Carolyn: I really like the sharpness of lime in these, but I can never resist meyer lemon in anything. I'm sure that would be great too.

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  27. Lisa these look absolutely wonderful! gloria

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  28. I consider myself a well rounded cookie eater but have to admit I have never had these... but that is going to change. These would be wonderful with a little sorbet after a big mexican meal!!

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  29. I love the delicate lime zest that shows through the baked cookie. I'll bet that is a tasty combination although I can't say I would have ever thought of it. I'm loving this book as well but haven't yet gotten to bake from it. I think I'm going to try the doughnuts first.

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  30. Never used corn meal before in cookies. I have only used corn meal in savory recipes but they sound interesting to try.

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  31. I have to get this cookbook! These look so unique and completely addicting!

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  32. I must admit, I've never even heard of cornmeal lime cookies, but they look delicious!

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