Saying that I love to try new recipes and techniques is an understatement. Even when I’m making a tried and true dessert that I’ve made repeatedly, I always have a crazy urge to try a new decorating technique or another twist. It was a wonderful decision, therefore, to join The Daring Bakers.
Each month, one of the Daring Bakers is responsible for hosting a challenge that they issue to all of the others. Bakers complete the challenge and everyone posts their results on the 27th of the month. This is my first month in the group, and I can already tell I’m going to love it.
The July Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Nicole at Sweet Tooth. She chose Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies and Milan Cookies from pastry chef Gale Gand of the Food Network (to see my Mallows, go to this post).
First and foremost, I think the Daring Bakers will encourage me to try recipes I might not otherwise consider. These Milan Cookies, for example, aren’t something I would have decided to try on my own, but they are delicious and sophisticated. I can picture them being served at tea; they’re so prim in their little paper bowls! The cookie filling is a thick ganache with a hint of orange zest that complements the slightly citrus flavor of the cookie itself. Everyone who tried these loved them!
Just a hint: I had some lemon curd frozen from my Lemon Burst Fairycakes, so I spread it on a cookie and gave it a taste. It was heavenly! You could even sandwich some lemon curd between two cookies and dip them in ganache! Clearly, these cookies have inspired me.
Milan Cookie with lemon curd filling in the place of ganache.
This recipe is from Gale Gand and Food Network, but of course, I tweaked some things. Changes to the recipe are marked in italics below. I hope you enjoy these cookies, and be sure to send me a photo and/or leave me a comment if you make them! I’d love to see your results!
Milan Cookies
Recipe By: Gale Gand (slightly tweaked — changes in italics)
Yields: about 50 sandwich cookies
Ingredients:
12 tablespoons butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
7/8 cup egg whites (from about 6 eggs)
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons lemon extract
1 1/2 cups flour
Cookie filling, recipe follows
Cookie filling ingredients:
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 orange, zested
Directions:
Cream the butter with a paddle attachment then mix in the sugar. Add the egg whites gradually and then mix in the vanilla and lemon extracts. Add the flour and mix until just incorporated. With a small (1/4-inch) plain tip, pipe thick 2-inch sections of batter onto a parchment-lined sheet pan (note: it’s easier to pipe onto parchment if you “glue” it to the pan using some nonstick cooking spray), spacing them 2 inches apart as they spread. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 7-8 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let cool on the pan.
Cookie Filling: In a small saucepan over medium flame, scald cream. Pour hot cream over chocolate in a bowl. Whisk to melt chocolate, add zest and blend well. Set aside to cool (the mixture will thicken as it cools). Spread a thin amount of the filling onto the flat side of a cookie while the filling is still soft and press the flat side of a second cookie on top. Repeat with the remainder of the cookies.
NOTES on storage from Audax Artifex: Let cookies cool completely before storing them, or the residual heat will produce steam that will soften the cookies and accelerate spoilage. Separate layers of cookie with wax paper or foil.
In a dry climate, keep unfilled cookies crisp by storing them in a loosely covered container, such as a cookie jar without a snug lid. In a damp, humid climate, store in a tightly covered container.
Also keeping the unfilled cookies in an air tight container with a muslin bag of salt or bicarbonate of soda – this will absorb the dampness keeping your cookies crisp.
All of that said, I will tell you, my cookies got soft. We actually enjoyed them that way, so don’t fret if yours aren’t as crisp on day 2. Many of the Daring Bakers also tried fun combinations — chocolate Milan cookies with chocolate mint ganache, plain Milan cookies with no citrus, etc. So do some experimenting!
Process Photos:
Baking in the oven.
Cooling off (here you can see that a few were quite
wonky! To reduce the number of crooked cookies,
quickly and confidently pipe a thick, straight line.)
Mixing cookie filling.
The sandwich construction station!
LOTS of cookies!
Enjoy!
Visit the Daring Bakers (temporary) Blogroll to see more of these treats from amazing bakers!
Since I mentioned challenges, what’s the most challenging recipe you’ve tried?
lisamichele
July 27, 2009 at 4:25 am (15 years ago)Your Milano’s are perfection, and I love the lemon curd idea! So many endless possibilities with these cookies 🙂
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 4:29 am (15 years ago)Thank you, Lisa!! I just visited your blog and your cookies are BEAUTIFUL and I love all of your flavor ideas!
Rosa
July 27, 2009 at 5:04 am (15 years ago)Great job! Those cookies look very pretty and delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 5:10 am (15 years ago)Thank you, Rosa! Loved yours as well!
Barbara
July 27, 2009 at 1:00 pm (15 years ago)I love that you put your cookies in paper! Great job on your first challenge! I love the lemon curd idea!
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 1:23 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, Barbara! I’m headed over to see your cookies now!
jo
July 27, 2009 at 1:19 pm (15 years ago)Great job on your challenge and your cookies look delicious. Love the addition of the little cup liners.
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 1:25 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, Jo!! I’m heading over to see your cookies right now!
Bumblebutton
July 27, 2009 at 1:55 pm (15 years ago)Super job–how ever did you get them to be so consistent in size? Not many did! Welcome to the DBs –you are going to rock it! Glad you are joining in the fun!
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 1:57 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, BumbleButton! I’m already enjoying it! A lot of them did turn out wonky, but I fed those to my boyfriend 😀 By the umpteenth tray of cookies, I was FINALLY PIPING in a straight line of uniform size . . . most of the time. Ha!
Amelia
July 27, 2009 at 3:55 pm (15 years ago)It would never occur to me that Milano cookie could be made at home instead of bought from Pepperidge Farms… Go you!
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 3:57 pm (15 years ago)Thanks Amelia! Any hints of a baby yet?
You know, these Milanos were different than I expected. I think the regular ones don’t have the citrusy flavor, but it was nice. Some DBs also made chocolate mint milanos and other neat combinations. Yum.
sara
July 27, 2009 at 4:00 pm (15 years ago)Yum, these look delicious…I love how you put them in the papers just like the “real thing”!
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 4:02 pm (15 years ago)Thanks Sara! 🙂
Alana
July 27, 2009 at 4:24 pm (15 years ago)I love the outdoor photos- your cookies do look perfect for a sophisticated tea on the lawn. Wonderful job.
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 4:26 pm (15 years ago)Thank you! I want to have a spot of tea right now!
Basht
July 27, 2009 at 5:42 pm (15 years ago)having lots of cookies means that you get to have some as a reward for a job well done! congrats on getting the first challenge done both ways! They look lovely
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 5:44 pm (15 years ago)Why thank you, Basht! It was a great first challenge!
Mary Teresa
July 27, 2009 at 5:51 pm (15 years ago)Ooooohhh!! Yours look great! They’re such nice ovals. It was my first challenge too and mine didn’t turn out quite as pretty as yours. =) Great job and see you next month!
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 5:55 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, Mary Teresa!! I fed my boyfriend all of the wonky ones (and Byrd got a few, too). haha! See you next month 🙂
Lauren
July 27, 2009 at 5:53 pm (15 years ago)Yum! Your Cookies look amazing =D. Great job on your first challenge!!
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 5:55 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, Lauren!
Hexe
July 27, 2009 at 5:55 pm (15 years ago)Yum – lemon curd! Sounds like a perfect match for these cookies!
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 5:58 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Hexe! It really was! And I found the BEST lemon curd recipe, too! It’s in this post: http://willowbirdbaking.wordpress.com/2009/07/18/lemon-burst-fairycakes/
Thankfully it keeps in the freezer for 2 months, so I had some on hand to spread on some Milanos!
Rachel
July 27, 2009 at 6:29 pm (15 years ago)These look tasty, and not too greasy either. Nicely documented.
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 6:29 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Rachel!
tikitonic
July 27, 2009 at 6:53 pm (15 years ago)Mmm, lemon curd sounds divine! Wonderful photos!
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 7:25 pm (15 years ago)Thanks!
Angela/IsolatedFoodie
July 27, 2009 at 8:43 pm (15 years ago)Very, very nice work on the Milanos! They’re absolutely perfect shapes — great piping!
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 10:26 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Angela!
Cirri
July 28, 2009 at 1:01 am (15 years ago)everithing loos very fancy congrats!
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 1:03 am (15 years ago)Thanks, Cirri!
Jill
July 28, 2009 at 1:25 am (15 years ago)Yummy! Lemon curd is a great idea! Welcome to the Daring Bakers! 🙂
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 1:26 am (15 years ago)Thanks, Jill! I already love it!
awoz
July 28, 2009 at 1:29 am (15 years ago)Your bite size milan cookie are so pretty:)
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 1:31 am (15 years ago)Thanks, Awoz!
Chahira Daoud
July 28, 2009 at 1:30 am (15 years ago)Dar Julie, your blog is amazing you are doing such a great job, Thanks dear for your nice words really appreciate it !!
Your milan & mallows cookies are amaaaazing !!
Wish you all the best;))
Chahira
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 1:31 am (15 years ago)Thanks, Chahira! I love your blog too; I’m still looking through it all! I love the music, and the sweet picture of you and your daughter!
Sis
July 28, 2009 at 1:33 am (15 years ago)Your documentary photos are super!
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 1:34 am (15 years ago)Thank you!
art and lemons
July 28, 2009 at 2:11 am (15 years ago)Your milanos are absolutely perfect! The lemon curd cookie dipped in chocolate has my vote…
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 2:13 am (15 years ago)Thank you! I wish I’d tried dipping the lemon curd cookie in the ganache, but about 2 seconds after this picture was taken it was devoured!! 😀 Only THEN did I realize I meant to dip it. Ha.
deeba
July 28, 2009 at 3:40 am (15 years ago)Well done on the challenge…lovely pictures too! The lemon curd filling sounds scrumptious. I did just the mallows, & they were fab!
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 3:44 am (15 years ago)Thanks, Deeba! I loved the Mallows too! Yummm.
Sabiilaa
July 28, 2009 at 10:20 am (15 years ago)your cookies are really great looking! yum beautifull photos!..
Beth
July 28, 2009 at 11:32 am (15 years ago)Your cookies are the perfect shape! I am envious, and love your idea for lemon curd filling. That would be so refreshing in the summer months.
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 4:00 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, Beth!
Tina
July 28, 2009 at 11:55 am (15 years ago)Welcome to DB and great job on the cookies. I like your presentation!
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 4:00 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Tina!
isa
July 28, 2009 at 12:23 pm (15 years ago)They both look and sound delicious!
But your Milans are absolutely delicate and beautiful!
Wonderful pictures!
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 4:00 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, Isa!
Valerie
July 28, 2009 at 1:26 pm (15 years ago)Gorgeous job, way to go! Congratulaions on a great first challenge, and welcome to the Daring Bakers!
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 3:58 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Valerie!
Renato
July 28, 2009 at 1:50 pm (15 years ago)Great cookies, Julie! The paper liners really give the final “Milano” touch.
And seems to me you’re still doing pretty fine without a silpat! XD
Ah, and congratulations for your blog. Welcome to Daring Bakers and to the Food Blog World!
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 3:58 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Renato! I still really want that silpat… 😀
nithya praveen
July 28, 2009 at 1:58 pm (15 years ago)Thanks for stopping by my blog.Your Milano cookies look awesome …beautiful photos too.I missed making them…but after seeing all baker’s post am too tempted to make them today for myself…not for the contest though.
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 3:57 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, Nithya! Hope you enjoy them if you decide to!
Jen
July 28, 2009 at 2:22 pm (15 years ago)Great job on your first challenge! I love you idea of using lemon curd or another filling in the cookies.
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 3:56 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Jen!
Libby Murphy
July 28, 2009 at 2:37 pm (15 years ago)Can’t wait to make these cookies. I know they must be delicious. You have a great site!
Happy Twirls
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 3:56 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Libby!! I hope you enjoy them! Thanks for visiting!
gine
July 28, 2009 at 4:31 pm (15 years ago)lovely pictures ^^ … by the way the most challenging recipe for me would be macarons, did you try to make them ?^^ … XOXO
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 4:37 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Gine! I’ve heard that macarons are terrifically picky, but I haven’t tried to make them yet! What’s challenging about the recipe?
I wonder if they’ll be a daring bakers challenge sometime soon? I’d love to give them a try. And you know, I hate that I missed the croissant challenge, because I’d love to try making them as well.
Ethan
July 28, 2009 at 5:10 pm (15 years ago)Fantastic job on your first challenge. I joined for the same reasons. It’s been a lot of fun to “have to” make something that I would not have necessarily tackled on my own.
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 5:14 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Ethan! I totally agree… and, in the case of the mallows especially, we LOVED them, so it was great that I “had to” make them 😀
evanescencia
July 28, 2009 at 8:28 pm (15 years ago)Delicious!! and your photos are also fantastic!!
Good idea the filling with lemon curd = ummmm…
Cheers!!
Eva
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 8:28 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Eva!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
July 28, 2009 at 10:25 pm (15 years ago)Your Milanos are wonderful! I agree mine went soft but they were still very tasty! 😀
Julie
July 28, 2009 at 10:33 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Lorraine! We enjoyed them 🙂
Natashya
July 29, 2009 at 12:05 am (15 years ago)They are absolutely gorgeous! I love how they look in their little cups.
Julie
July 29, 2009 at 12:10 am (15 years ago)Thank you Natashya!
burpexcuzme
July 29, 2009 at 1:40 am (15 years ago)They look better than the “real” ones! And I like the use of lemon curd…refreshing, and perfect for summer!
The most challenging recipe I tried was gnocchi…but I got overambitious and started messing around with the recipe and of course the result was disaster!
Julie
July 29, 2009 at 1:43 am (15 years ago)Thank you!! Gnocchi, eh? I would love to try and make that! Was that a Daring Bakers challenge? I’ve never made pasta of any sort!
Pam
July 29, 2009 at 2:18 am (15 years ago)Your cookies look great! I, too, really like the lemon curd idea. Citrus & chocolate combos just don’t do anything for me. Ooh, I’d bet they’d be great with lemon or orange (or even mango) sorbet , too. Mmm. Now that I could go for…
Thanks for commenting on my DB post!
Julie
July 29, 2009 at 3:13 am (15 years ago)Thanks, Pam! I bet sorbet would be soooo good with these!!
Sweet Kitchen
July 29, 2009 at 3:07 am (15 years ago)Your cookies are absolutely perfect – now that is impressive! If that’s what you can do for your first challenge I can’t wait to see what you do with the next one!
Julie
July 29, 2009 at 3:14 am (15 years ago)Aww, thank you Sweet Kitchen!! I really enjoyed the challenge 🙂 Can’t wait to see what’s in store for August.
Celeste
July 29, 2009 at 4:06 am (15 years ago)You did such a fabulous job with this challenge! I love the little paper liners that you used…perfect!
Julie
July 29, 2009 at 4:27 am (15 years ago)Thank you, Celeste!
Olive
July 29, 2009 at 1:01 pm (15 years ago)thanks for your comment on my blog,
I love your cookies too, your milans are just perfect
Cheers 🙂
Julie
July 29, 2009 at 4:53 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Olive!
Elissa
July 29, 2009 at 2:41 pm (15 years ago)The cookies look great! Congratulations on your first challenge. I love the paper you used to hold the cookies – they look just like the real thing, only tastier. I’d love to try the one with lemon curd, mm..
Julie
July 29, 2009 at 4:53 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Elissa!
Celine
July 29, 2009 at 8:38 pm (15 years ago)*high five*
Yours look very pretty in their little paper bowls! and they have the same shape hahaha
Julie
July 29, 2009 at 8:49 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Celine!
Christina
July 30, 2009 at 1:43 pm (15 years ago)Beautiful cookies! I love that you put them in the white liners.
Julie
July 30, 2009 at 1:48 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, Christina!
Candice
July 30, 2009 at 2:09 pm (15 years ago)Wow, the cookies look so crisp and pretty! Nicely done. 🙂
Julie
July 30, 2009 at 3:48 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Candice!
Teenie
August 1, 2009 at 4:46 am (15 years ago)Your Milans turned out perfect and professional presentation! I’ll have to try it with the lemon curd. Welcome to The Daring Bakers — you’ll really enjoy it 🙂
Julie
August 1, 2009 at 4:48 am (15 years ago)Thank you, Teenie! I had so much fun with the first challenge!
Alison
August 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm (15 years ago)Julie…it’s so nice to meet a fellow Charlottean! Please feel free to email me at ampenland at yahoo dot com and we can get to know each other if you’d like. Your photography is beautiful!
Julie
August 4, 2009 at 3:10 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Alison! I’ll email you!