cookies

Bready or Not EXTRA CHEESY: Farmer’s Cheese Cookies

Posted by on Apr 9, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, cheese galore, cookies | 0 comments

Welcome to the second installment of our special month of Bready or Not. My cheese-centric cozy mystery Cheddar Luck Next Time just came out yesterday (picture the Kermit-flail gif) so we’re celebrating with another cheesy recipe from the Bready or Not archives.

This week’s feature is Farmer’s Cheese Cookies.

Bready or Not: Farmer's Cheese Cookies

These cookies aren’t cheesy in a gooey, cheese-pull kind of way. Instead, the cheese here adds a touch of savory flavor and a lot of light, chewy texture. Expect a dry, crumbly texture in the cheese. Mine became somewhat powdery as I broke it down, which was fine. I was able to incorporate everything with an extra touch of water.

Bready or Not: Farmer's Cheese Cookies

Cookies like this are traditional in Ukraine and Russia. Look for a product like Ukrainian Tvorog Farmer’s Cheese at your local import markets.

Bready or Not: Farmer's Cheese Cookies

The end result is a cookie that, quite honestly, tastes fancy–light, crisp, sugary, like something that one would find in a fine bakery. Most people wouldn’t guess there’s cheese in the dough, I bet, but they’ll know there’s something different about them. Something delicious.

Cheddar Luck Next Time

Please grab a copy of Cheddar Luck Next Time, which features an autistic (like me!) lead character with a passion for cheese (like me!).

Amazon: paperback | ebook (affiliate links)

Barnes & Noble: paperback & ebook

Bookshop: paperback

Bready or Not: Farmer’s Cheese Cookies

These sweet, beautiful cookies originate in Ukraine and Russia. Look for farmer’s cheese in a local European import market. This recipe makes about 60 cookies.
Course: Dessert, Snack
Keyword: cheese, cookies
Servings: 60
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • grater or food processor
  • pastry blender
  • 3-inch round cutter or the top of a glass
  • parchment paper
  • saucer or bowl
  • Rolling Pin

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, chilled
  • 8 oz farmer's cheese such as Ukrainian Tvorog cheese
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2-3 Tablespoons water
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar

Instructions

  • Grate the butter using a hand grater or a grater attachment on a food processor. In a large bowl, use a pastry blender to cut in the cheese, which will be crumbly. Add the flour, followed by the yolks and water. Knead the dough until it comes together in a cohesive mass.
  • Form the dough into a disc and encase it in plastic wrap to chill for anywhere from an hour to several days.
  • When it’s cookie time, preheat oven at 375-degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a small amount of water in a saucer or bowl. Measure the white sugar into a deep bowl.
  • Prepare a clean work surface with a dusting of flour. Break off some of the dough and roll it into a thin layer, like for a pie crust. Use the cutter to slice out 3-inch rounds; place the leftover and unused dough to chill in the fridge while cookies are shaped.
  • Dampen fingers in the prepared water. Brush wet fingers over one side of a dough round. Dip moist dough into the sugar to coat it. Fold in half with the sugared portion on the inside. Dampen fingers and stroke another folded side of the dough, and dip that in sugar. Fold a final time with the sugared section on the inside. Use wet fingers on outside of cookie and coat that in sugar, too. Gently press the pleats together to prevent them from unfolding during baking. Place formed cookie on sheet and repeat process with remaining rounds.
  • Bring together dough scraps, using a little water if needed, to roll out again. Use rest of dough to form cookies.
  • Bake in batches for 19 to 22 minutes, until puffed and set with a golden base. Store in a sealed container at room temperature.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not Original: Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies

    Posted by on Mar 19, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, cookies | 0 comments

    These Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies taste eerily like birthday cake. They are super-sweet, vivid in flavor and color.

    Bready or Not Original: Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies

    I confess, I love rainbow sprinkles. They are just so FUN. They are so easy to customize, too. Go classical just-because, or to celebrate pride. Or use colors of a favorite team, or to designate a certain holiday.

    Bready or Not Original: Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies

    Note that the cookie dough here needs to chill for at least a few hours, but can also wait in the fridge for a couple days. I think this dough is a great one to make ahead to spare yourself some extra effort on baking day!

    Bready or Not Original: Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies

    Bready or Not Original: Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies

    These super-sweet cookies really do taste like a cookie version of birthday cake! Note that the dough needs to chill prior to baking.
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Keyword: cookies, sprinkles
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • plastic wrap
    • parchment paper
    • cookie scoop or spoon

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened
    • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
    • 2 large eggs room temperature
    • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
    • 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
    • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 3/4 cup bread flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 tablespoons milk or half & half
    • 1 cup rainbow sprinkles plus 1/2 cup for topping

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, beat butter and white sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla and almond extracts.
    • In another bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture along with the milk. Scrape the bottom of the bowl to make certain everything is incorporated. Fold in the sprinkles.
    • Wrap dough in plastic wrap and set to chill for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days.
    • When it is baking time, preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Place the topping sprinkles in a small bowl.
    • Shape the cookies by using a scoop or a spoon. Dip the top of each round into the sprinkles. Set spaced out on the cookie sheet.
    • Bake for 10 to 13 minutes, until set. Let them rest on the sheet about 10 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.
    • Pack into a sealed container and store at room temperature.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not: Confetti Pudding Cookies

      Posted by on Feb 19, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, cookies | 0 comments

      These Confetti Pudding Cookies are such classic, happy-making cookies. They have sprinkles inside and out, and they taste like cookie dough even after being baked!

      Bready or Not: Confetti Pudding Cookies

      What causes that, you ask? That’s part of the magic imbued by instant pudding mix. You can use Bird’s Custard Powder (which can be hard to find or expensive in the US) or a standard Jell-O Vanilla Instant Pudding Powder. DO NOT make the pudding. You use the powder! Just make sure it’s not clumpy.

      Bready or Not: Confetti Pudding Cookies

      Use rainbow sprinkles to make these festive for a birthday, pride, or any old day, or use colors coordinated to holidays throughout the year.

      Modified from Bake from Scratch Magazine May/June 2024.

      Bready or Not: Confetti Pudding Cookies

      Instant pudding mix in the dough grants these cookies an inherent cookie dough-like flavor and soft texture. Everything is better with sprinkles! Modified from Bake from Scratch Magazine May/June 2024.
      Course: Dessert, Snack
      Keyword: cookies, pudding mix, sprinkles
      Servings: 44 cookies
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • parchment paper
      • small cookie scoop or spoon

      Ingredients

      • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks) room temperature
      • 1 cup white sugar
      • 1 large egg
      • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
      • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
      • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
      • 3.4 oz vanilla instant pudding mix or Bird’s Custard Powder (96 grams)
      • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
      • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
      • 1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles plus more for the top

      Instructions

      • These cookies can be baked right away or chilled/frozen for later. Note that if they are chilled, the dough may get extra hard, and need to soften at room temperature for 20 minutes before shaping.
      • If baking right away, preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
      • In a big bowl, mix together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and both extracts, scraping the bottom of the bowl to incorporate everything.
      • In another bowl, stir together flour, pudding mix (make sure that any clumps are pressed out), baking soda, and salt.
      • Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet. Fold in the sprinkles. Pour some extra sprinkles into a saucer.
      • Use a scoop or spoon to shape the dough into a small ball. Press one side into the sprinkles and set on baking sheet with the super-sprinkly side on top. Continue with rest of dough balls.
      • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until cookies are flatter and no longer look gooey. Let them rest about 5 minutes before moving them to a rack to finish cooling.
      • Store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature. Best eaten within 4 days.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not: Vanilla Sablé Cookies

        Posted by on Feb 12, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, cookies, French | 0 comments

        These Vanilla Sablé Cookies are a delicate French take on shortbread. They are not heavily sweet, perfect for people who like their desserts a bit gentler.

        Bready or Not: Vanilla Sablé Cookies

        This recipe calls for vanilla bean paste. It will imbue the dough with a deeper vanilla flavor as well as beautiful flecks of vanilla. It makes the end result prettier–which is saying a lot, as they are already pretty courtesy of a sparkling sanding sugar crust.

        Bready or Not: Vanilla Sablé Cookies

        Note that this dough requires chill time, as it is very soft. You don’t want it warm as it is sliced or baked!

        Bready or Not: Vanilla Sablé Cookies

        These Vanilla Sablé Cookies are a delicate French take on shortbread. They are not heavily sweet. Note that there are two egg yolks in the recipe; one is in the dough, the other is used to adhere the sugar coating.
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • plastic wrap
        • pastry brush

        Ingredients

        • 1 Tablespoon vanilla bean paste
        • 1/3 cup white sugar
        • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
        • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
        • 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar sifted
        • 2 large egg yolks separated
        • 2 cups all-purpose flour
        • 1/2 cup sanding sugar white or other color

        Instructions

        • Mix together the vanilla bean paste, white sugar, and butter until smooth and creamy, not light and fluffy. Add the salt and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Add 1 egg yolk. Mix in the flour until just combined.
        • Turn out dough onto counter to lightly knead. Divide in half and shape into long logs about 1-inch tall. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 3 hours, or freeze up to 2 months.
        • When it is baking time, preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
        • Place egg yolk into a small bowl or ramekin. Add a splash of water and whisk it with the yolk. Pour sanding sugar onto a plate.
        • Brush the yolk down the length of a cookie log, fully coating it. Roll the log in the sanding sugar. Place on a cutting board and slice into pieces 1/2-inch thick. Place spaced out on cookie sheet. Repeat process with other log. Don’t squeeze the cookies too close, as they will spread.
        • Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, until set and just turning a hint of gold. Let them set on sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to fully cool.
        • Pack cookies in a sealed container at room temperature. They will keep for at least 4 days.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

          Posted by on Jan 22, 2025 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | 0 comments

          Why have a candy bar when you can have a chewy, luxurious treat that’s filled with candy bar pieces? These Toffee Blondies are a glorious combination of textures and sweetness.

          Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

          If you can find it, use an 8 ounce bag of Heath Bits that include chocolate. All is not lost if that is unavailable, though. You can chop up normal Heath Bars, or use an all-toffee bag and add separate chocolate.

          Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

          The result is a thick, chewy bar with crunchy little bits of toffee and pockets of chocolate. These things keep for days, too.

          Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

          Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

          These are like big, chewy candy bars! If you can’t find the Heath bag that includes chocolate, you can buy candy bars and chop them up, or use the toffee bits and supplement with extra chocolate.
          Course: Dessert
          Keyword: bars, chocolate, cookies
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • 9×13 pan
          • aluminum foil
          • nonstick spray

          Ingredients

          • 2 cups all-purpose flour
          • 2 cups brown sugar packed
          • 2 teaspoons baking powder
          • 1/4 teaspoon salt
          • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) melted and cooled
          • 2 large eggs room temperature
          • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
          • 8 ounces Heath Bits with Chocolate

          Instructions

          • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a 13×9 pan with foil and apply nonstick spray.
          • In a bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
          • In a large bowl, beat the butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients. Fold in about 2/3 of the Heath Bits.
          • Scoop the thick batter into the prepared pan and level out with an uneven spatula. Sprinkle the rest of the Heath pieces over the top.
          • Bake for 24 to 27 minutes. Middle should be set and pass the toothpick test. Cool to room temperature, speeding the process in the fridge if desired.
          • Use the foil to lift onto cutting board to slice into bars. Store in a sealed container at room temperature. They will keep for up to 3 days.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not Original: Gingerdoodles

            Posted by on Jan 15, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, cookies | 0 comments

            I’ve published many variations on Snickerdoodles (complete with pie and banana versions!), and here is a take called Gingerdoodles.

            Bready or Not Original: Gingerdoodles

            It should come as no surprise that these feature the warmth of ginger along with other complementary spices. To me, these were like a hybrid of snickerdoodles and sugar/spice cookies. The texture is soft and scrumptious.

            Bready or Not Original: Gingerdoodles

            This recipe is a must if you love soft cookies with some sweetness and spice.

            Bready or Not Original: Gingerdoodles

            Bready or Not Original: Gingerdoodles

            These cookies are like a hybrid snickerdoodle-sugar/spice cookie, soft and sweet and delicious.
            Course: Dessert, Snack
            Keyword: cookies, gingerbread, snickerdoodle
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • parchment paper
            • small scoop or teaspoon

            Ingredients

            Dough

            • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks) softened
            • 1/2 cup white sugar
            • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
            • 1 large egg room temperature
            • 1/2 cup real maple syrup
            • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
            • 1 teaspoon baking soda
            • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
            • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
            • 1/4 teaspoon salt
            • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
            • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

            Topping

            • 1/2 cup white sugar
            • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

            Instructions

            • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
            • Beat together butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and syrup.
            • In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cream of tartar, and nutmeg. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet, forming a cohesive dough.
            • In a small bowl, stir together the two topping ingredients.
            • Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to shape dough into round balls. Roll them in the topping to coat. Place spaced out on baking pan.
            • Bake for 9-10 minutes, until set and crackled. After 5-10 minutes, move them to a cooling rack.
            • Store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature.

            OM NOM NOM!

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