Thursday, August 19, 2010

Sugar Cookies with Luscious Red Apple Frosting

It was nearly 100 degrees Monday afternoon when I tried to escape the sun in little Troy, Idaho's empty downtown on my way to pick blackberries in Kendrick. Without a pressing schedule, I wandered about exploring a bit looking for shelter inside a shop. Any shop would have been fine, but few places still exist among the empty storefronts and the sandwich place was closed for remodeling. My options came down to a couple bars and a state liquor store.

I road the Vespa that day, so the bars were out unless I wanted to look like an idiot drinking a coke. Which I do from time to time. So, I escaped inside the liquor store to browse the “extracts”. Extracts meaning anything I think I can get away baking with.

There were lots of fun options, but with a small trunk I choose just one. Something new to me, DeKuyper Luscious Red Apple Schnapps. When I got home, I threw around a few baking ideas, but in the end used the liquor to flavor this whipped frosting. It’s so good; I caught myself eating the darn stuff out of the bowl. Yikes!

My only problem now is this giant bottle of brilliant red schnapps sitting in my ever growing liquor collection.

Sugar Cookies Printer Version
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar and salt. Beat in egg and vanilla. Mix in baking soda and baking powder. Add flour and beat until just combined.

With a mini cookie scoop (size 60), scoop out dough and place on cookie sheets 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 minutes or until no longer wet looking. Rest on cookie sheets for 4 minutes, then move to cooling racks.

Once cool, thinly spread cookies with frosting.

Whipped Luscious Red Apple Frosting
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened slightly
1 pound powdered sugar
¼ cup DeKuyper Luscious Red Apple Schnapps
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla


With a mixer, slowly beat together all the ingredients. Once combined, turn the mixer to high and beat for 3 minutes until fluffy. Spread frosting in a thin layer over cookies.

Yield 2 1/2 cups. Prep time 7 minutes.

Makes 64 cookies

Recipe & photograph by Laura Flowers.


16 comments:

The Southern Cookbook said...

Apple Schnapps? I had no idea there even was such a thing. The cookies look awesome. I bet the schnapps gave the icing an awesome flavor. Great post Laura. Stay cool. It's hot this time of the year ;) ~Cheryl

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

What an awesome flavor combo! I would have never thought of this but now I'm totally intrigued and will be going on an apple schnapps hunt :o)

Monet said...

I have never heard of red apple schnapps, but now that you have mentioned it...I'm on the hunt! I imagine that these cookies were a hit...how could they not be? They are pretty and tasty!

Cyndy said...

Oh boy Laura this one sounds so good. Perfect way to use liqueur. I've got a few ideas rolling around in my head for ya!
Love your photo's.

Unknown said...

WOW, super impressed very cool frosting, love it

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

I love your creativity!!

:)
ButterYum

Veronica said...

I've got this mantra going in my head "I will not go to the liquor store, I will not go to the liquor store," because you always make me want to get a fun licqueur for baking with! I love the things you come up with but I refuse to start building my own collection. I'm too cheap!

shaz said...

Oooh, red apple schnapps sounds naughty but delicious :) And what's wrong with eating frosting out of the bowl? How else am I supposed to clean it?

VegeCooking Club said...

Ha that is funny. We have an ever growing liquor collection as well because now I tend to drink more wine instead so when you come to the house and see our bar room we look like a serious bunch of drunks. Good idea to cook with some of it.
What a great treat...apple and sugar cookies together!

Unknown said...

It was great you were able to explore. Sometimes you just need that just to get out.

Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction said...

Yum... That frosting sounds lovely! Perfect for the fall!

Federica Simoni said...

ciao Laura!!!!favolosi questi biscotti...e le foto meravigliose!!complimenti!ciao!

notyet100 said...

cookies look so yum,,

Kitchen Butterfly said...

The apple schnapps sound intriguing and love the idea of the frosting.

Sue said...

Laura, Your apple frosting sounds so unique. I think I'm going to change it out and use apple cider, and I'm sure it will taste GREAT! Thanks for the idea!

Unknown said...

Those look amazing! Check out the cookies I just made, can't say the photos are as good though! http://dafoodieadventures.blogspot.com/

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