If you don’t want another cookie addiction, then maybe you’ll want to bypass this week’s column. If, however, you want to jump on America’s latest cookie craze, then you’ve come to the right place! Swig cookies, with their scrumptious pink frosting and craggy edges, are somewhere between a soft sugar cookie and shortbread, and they have certainly won our hearts! (To date, there are about 41 million search results for Swig Cookies on Pinterest. I’d say we are obsessed with these sweet treats!) The Swig cookie originated in Saint George, Utah in 2010 at the Swig Drive-by Drink Shop. Known for their signature frosty drinks and sweets, Swig has now expanded to multiple locations in Utah and several other states. The minute I heard about them I employed “The Niece Factor.” That’s when I make a big batch of cookies and drive them over to my nieces and wait for their response. With these Swig Cookies I got a text about 20 minutes later (before I even got home!) that the entire batch has been devoured. That’s good enough for me! I think you’re going to like these cookies. They’re fun to make and may even be worthy of a spot on your holiday cookie exchange platter this year.
baking soda
Italian Crème Cake
I’ve always thought this cake is perfect for Easter time with its fluffy white frosting. Elaine Nall’s Italian Crème Cake is just plain crazy, out-of-this-world delicious. Period. The recipe was given to Elaine, a longtime Scottsdale educator, more than 40 years ago and it has withstood the “friends and family favorite” test ever since. It’s apparently the most requested dessert at Nall Family birthdays, anniversaries, holiday gatherings and even at Elaine’s church group—the one that has met for four decades every Christmas for a White Elephant sale. I’m just happy that when daughter-in-law Donna Nall quietly mentioned to me that Elaine was famous in the family for this cake, I paid attention. In between three ever so rich-tasting layers of buttermilk cake is a luscious slather of cream cheese and pecan icing. Yes, it’s absolutely perfect for Easter, or Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, just because, for no reason…
Watch my How To Video for Italian Crème Cake here!
Italian Crème Cake
Irish Soda Bread
Cheesecake Snickerdoodles
If you love a soft cookie with a dusting of cinnamon and sugar, it’s pretty hard to compete with the classic Snickerdoodle. The traditional cookie is slightly crunchy on the outside and soft in the center. As if Snickerdoodles aren’t addicting enough, this variation makes them even more irresistible! The center in this recipe has a cheesecake filling that really puts them over the top. It’s not a large amount of filling, only a small dollop of a combination of cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla. It’s just enough for you taste buds to say, “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” If you are a purist and just want a great traditional Snickerdoodle, this recipe is for you, minus the filling. On the other hand, I’m certain cheesecake lovers will appreciate the delicious surprise inside!
