If you were to make a recipe titled Buttery Jam Cookies, what flavors would you expect to find? Butter, naturally. And also jam, correct? So why, then, did my Buttery "Jam" Cookies taste like...nothing?
They're kind of cute, right? I used chunky cherry preserves from TJ's, and last time I checked, they tasted awesome and flavorful on toast. Mmmm, toast. I added some pink food coloring so they wouldn't have that sickly reddish-purple-bruise color that jam always gives baked goods. Pink cherry cookies? Sound great! I was pretty psyched to taste these after they came out of the oven.
I took a bite... cue *crickets chirping*
Another bite...how to explain my reaction?
Have you seen the episode of The Simpsons that parodies A Prairie Home Companion? Homer and the family are watching a Garrison Keillor monologue on TV. As the studio audience cracks up repeatedly at Keillor's small-town dry wit, Homer watches stone-faced, not understanding the jokes. Finally, he gets up and hits the side of the TV. THUMP! "Stupid TV! Be more funny!" THUMP!
Friends, I felt like Homer Simpson. "Stupid cookies! Be more tasty!" THUMP!
We decided that maybe the cookies needed frosting, so I whipped up a quick batch of frosting, using more cherry preserves in the frosting to give it some extra cherry flavor. And still...nada. Don't get me wrong, they're not terrible. I actually liked the flaky, almost biscuit-like texture, and yes, there was some strong butter flavor. But...they needed something more, for me.
The worst part is reading the reactions of people who loved them, because a lot of folks seem to go crazy over them. I feel like these cookies are holding out on me. Is it malice? The cookie equivalent of Jekyll and Hyde? Or is this recipe only meant to be used with apricot jam, no matter what the recipe options tell us? If I make them again I'll double the ginger and use apricot jam, to give them the full benefit of the doubt. But to be honest, I don't know if I will make them again, after facing the heartbreak of tasteless cookies this week.
THUMP!
Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
10 years ago
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I am so sorry that you didn't like them.
ReplyDeleteI loved mine.
The dough was great.
I think they would be better without the jam altogether.
Oh no. You didn't forget the ginger, did you? The ginger kicks me in the pants. I used orange marmalade and went nuts. They're more biscuit than cookie, but I still really liked them. Try giving them another go. But I'm with you - TJs cherry jam should have done it for you. I love that stuff.
ReplyDeleteSorry you weren't a big fan - surprising that not even frosting and sprinkles could redeem them! The color is awesome though.
ReplyDeleteI think I am on your side. I just didn't find myself *loving* these cookies. Oh well, there's always other recipes!
ReplyDeleteOne thing's for sure, you're not the only one who thought they were bland!
ReplyDelete...and frankly it is too bad, for yours are soooooo pretty! I can't help it... I'm sucker for pink girly stuff! LOL
Totaly adorable, Liz!
Sorry you didn't care for them. I think the pink is super cute though!
ReplyDeleteI love your cookies, how cute! I'm one of the ones who loved them, but I was in your position with the Linzer Sables..not my thing. It seemed like I was one of a very small minority who didn't like them. But, at least yours turned out nice and pretty :)
ReplyDeleteWell, they look really pretty. I would have thought cherry jam was the way to go...
ReplyDeleteat least they weren't hard to make! sorry you weren't happy w/them. i wasn't in love w/them but i enjoyed them. love the cherry pink frosting!
ReplyDeleteI love all the additions to make it taste better!! Sorry they weren't your favorite but you sooo get an A for effort!
ReplyDeleteOMG, the Homer Simpson reference literally made me laugh aloud! They are pretty cookies, I'm sorry they didn't taste better!
ReplyDeleteMy cookies were bland too. They look good though!
ReplyDeleteYour cookies look great..sorry you didn't like them. I used grape jam in mine.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm glad I skipped this one. On to the cheesecake!
ReplyDeleteSame here with these cookies, very, very bland... and I used the apricot jam...
ReplyDeleteTheir was a lot of polarization on these cookies. Too bad yours were on the negative side. Not sure if I want to try them or not....
ReplyDeleteYour cookies are really pretty. I think it helps going in if you know they are more like a biscuit and not too sweet. Your blog is great.
ReplyDeleteHAHA! I'm so sorry though! They LOOK tasty enoughhh really!
ReplyDeleteMaybe they're a simpler flavour. Butter cookies..?
THUMP! Yeah, I'm kind of with you on this one. I liked them, but can't imagine making them again. I used apricot jam. I think the key is to not go into it thinking you are about to bite into a cookie. It's sort of like when you think you are about to take a sip of milk and it's actually water. Blech! Even though you drink plenty of water. I think if go in expecting a biscuit, they won't disappoint. It's when you are expecting a cookie that you end up thumping the mixer.
ReplyDeleteThe pink cookies look awfully pretty though -- they'd be a big hit at my daughter's 4th bday party next month!
At least they are a graet color!
ReplyDeleteLoved your post! Sorry you didn't care for the cookies, but it certainly wasn't for want of trying. Wow, they sure win the cute award. We liked them, but I can see how they could be seen as bland.
ReplyDeleteNancy