Keller's Butter

I’ve seen Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion; I’ve seen Grosse Point Blank. I know that once the ten-year reunion mark hits, movie land characters procreate. Or at least, all of the Extras do. The Feature Characters are typically single and childless and if you took a look at my high school reunion which took place two days ago, you’d find that every person in attendance was a Feature Character.

Since I live several states away from my hometown, I spent the morning following the reunion phoning my minions for a full report. They all talked about different aspects. Sis gave a run down of who was making inappropriate drunken contact with whom. Junior offered a tantalizing glimpse of who went punk, who grew her hair out and how old The Jock’s new girlfriend appeared to be. Blondie analyzed the difference between those who consider themselves successful and those who are embarrassed by their own mediocrity. And oh yeah, the lack of children.

Being artistically, professionally and financially accomplished is important at reunions. At least for Feature Characters. I, however, am an Extra and comfortable with the fact that I won’t ever be famous for anything. One day I'll probably e-mail my alumni news bulletin with a jpeg attached not of me in a business suit, but of a very small child with a very big nose. If people are lucky, behind that child they’ll catch a glimpse of me pulling a rack of cookies out of the oven. Or maybe the oven will be on a television show and I’ll be the host, or maybe the oven will be the cover of a book jacket and I’ll be the author, or maybe…

"KELLER’S BUTTER $2,500 COOKIE RECIPE CONTEST"

The Rules: Original recipe must include a minimum of ½ cup (1 stick) of Keller's butter. Judges will evaluate each eligible entry on a scale of 1-10 for each of the following criteria: (a) creativity; (b) originality; (c) overall recipe appeal. The top 25 recipes will then be prepared and baked by the Judge and evaluated on a scale of 1-20 for each of the following criteria: (a) taste; (b) appearance; (c) creativity; (d) originality; (e) overall recipe appeal.

The Prize: One (1) Grand Prize of $2,500 and three (3) Runner-Up Prizes of a vintage Shawnee “Smiley the Pig” Cookie Jar will be awarded to each.

The Entry: Almond-Mocha Sandwich Cookies

1/2 cup (1 stick) Keller’s Unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 cup coarsely ground almonds (about 4 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water
1 tablespoon grated bittersweet chocolate

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Stir 1/4 cup Keller’s Unsalted butter (a half stick of butter), granulated white sugar, and corn syrup in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until smooth and melted. Bring butter mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in flour. Add nuts, almond extract and vanilla; stir to combine. Drop dough by scant teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing slightly more than 2 inches apart. Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until bubbling and lightly browned, about 11 minutes. Cool on sheets 10 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool completely.

Whisk remaining ¼ cup (half stick) of butter along with powdered sugar, espresso powder dissolved in hot water, and grated chocolate together in a medium bowl to make mocha filling. Spread 1 teaspoon filling onto bottom of 1 cooled cookie. Top with second cookie, bottom side down, pressing lightly to adhere. Repeat with remaining cookies.

Makes 20 sandwich cookies