TWD- Linzer Sables and a Giveaway!

Cookies again-yes! This week's Tuesdays with Dorie selection comes from Noskos. I've never made or heard of these cookies so I was happy to try something new. The dough came together easily and offered lots of varieties with the nuts, filling, and spices. I decided to use macadamia nuts and chocolate ganache, like those candies people bring back from Hawaii... I've always liked those. I used only the tiniest bit of cloves and cinnamon to spice the dough since I wasn't sure about the flavors altogether. I also rolled the dough a little thinner than recommended (and was sure to under bake them slightly) so they ended up quite delicate.

I also sandwiched a few cookies with raspberry jam for my non-chocolate eating husband. I wasn't sure which flavor I would be prefer but in the end I liked the cookies that had both jam and ganache (particularly since my ganache was so dark and didn't seem quite sweet enough). I still have a little dough left in the fridge and I'm excited to experiment with it and see what I can come up with. Don't forget to snag the recipe here and try some of your own delicious little cookies.

Now (to catch up for last week's TWD...) here is my thanksgiving two-fer pie. I've never actually made Pecan or Pumpkin pie so it was fun to try them together. This was one pretty pie! I followed the advice concerning the crust and did not blind bake it. I also saved some of the pumpkin filling to make into a mini pie and was glad I did- it was plenty full!

I'm still not a huge pumpkin fan but this was yummy- even if my edges almost burned and the bottom of the pastry wasn't quite cooked (the soggy part was delicious to me, don't tell!) I think this is a recipe that needs some perfecting for me to get it just right but is totally worth the wait. You can find the recipe on Vibi's blog.

Now for the giveaway... three lucky readers (randomly selected of course) will receive a Pillsbury gift basket. The basket includes a coupon for Pillsbury refrigerated crescent rolls, a magnetic coupon holder, a house-shaped mouse pad, pot holders, a cookie sheet (you can never have enough of those), a bread basket and a Pillsbury Doughboy figurine (haha!). Pillsbury is also donating to American foodbanks for each person that checks out their website here.

In order to enter the contest, just leave a comment here and let me know what your favorite part of family meals is. My favorite part has to be making them with my family and sitting around and talking afterward. In my pre-mommy life I studied families and know how important it is to spend time sharing meals together. The holiday season is the perfect time to spend together in the kitchen and I'm looking forward to it! (Contest will end next Monday night, at midnight, AZ time).

Don't forget to stop by later this week to see my entry for December's holiday music themed "You Want Pies With That?"- it's more than over the top and delicious too!