Thanksgiving has now passed on by and I must admit I’ve barely had time to digest. We celebrated with friends who are family, and had a spectacular meal. Denver is still feeling very warm; not at all ready for a festive season. However my season just became something special with the arrival of Manservant. He always blows in fast and this time it looks like he might be around awhile.
So I told you in my last post that Thanksgiving is also anniversary season for us. My dear Manservant gave me the surprise of my life when he plopped a beach hat on my head and told me we were going on a second honeymoon. Yep. He’s taking me for a week to Acapulco where we are staying at the same resort we stayed 35 years ago. I hope it’s held up better than us, but after checking it is still the #1 place to stay in Acapulco. And yes, we are leaving at 4:30 tomorrow morning for an entire week. Our original honeymoon only lasted 4 days! Can’t quite believe this is happening, but Manservant felt after his long absence that we needed to reconnect. How right he was about that. I also specifically told him no computers are allowed, but you can bet there will be plenty of cigars and tequila!
This has been a week of surprises. Whole Foods sent out a surprise box of beauty products. I wish it contained the magic cure like how to lose 20 pounds in four days, but alas it did not! What is kind of funny though is that while visiting my mother a few weeks ago she plainly told me that I was developing lines on my forehead. What was I using to keep those at bay? My mother, who is queen of skin treatments, (we will leave it at that) told me I needed to be careful of frowning.
Well, Mom. You will be happy to know that Whole Foods actually sent me Triology Ultra Hydrating Face Cream and also Vital Moisturizing cream. The back of that tube reads, “to help protect against the visible signs of aging while also improving hydration for soft smooth skin”. By God, I’m cured and I don’t even have to feel the pinch of a needle! But to tell you all the truth, I’ve used it the last two nights and I really like it. It may or may not improve my visible signs, but then again, it can’t hurt! Plus it feels good.
Check out Triology products at Whole Foods. It is as simple as cleanse, treat, moisturize. Check out their gift bags. They sure gave me something to smile about!
And on to something sweet. I’m in a pretty good mood so here are some cookies to tide you over until I get back. I’ll try posting on Instagram, but sometimes that sun makes me forgetful. Or is it the tequila?
BROWN SUGAR CARAMEL Spice COOKIES
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 c flour
- 1 1/2 t baking soda
- 1/2 t kosher salt
- 1/2 t ground ginger
- 1/2 t cinnamon
- Pinch of white pepper
- 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter or 12 T at room temperature
- 1 1/4 c dark brown sugar
- 1/2 t vanilla
- 1 large egg
- 16 caramels, cut in 1/2 (I used Trader Joe’s)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and pepper.
- In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and beat well, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add vanilla and mix again.
- Add flour mixture to butter mixture and beat until everything is incorporated. Chill for about 10 minutes.
- After chilling, form dough into 3/4 of a T balls. Press a piece of caramel into middle of ball and make sure dough surrounds it. I sprinkled these with a bit of raw sugar. Place on baking sheets and chill about 10 more minutes.
- Bake until cookies are lightly golden and just beginning to darken, about 8-10 minutes. The cookies will be soft. If you want a crisp cookie, bake them longer. Transfer to a wire rack and cool. Repeat with remaining baking sheet. You may drizzle these with melted caramel if you like!
A few more to pin and share!
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies    Mocha Chocolate Chip Cookies     World Peace Cookies
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Marcelle @ A Little Fish in the Kitchen
December 11, 2016 at 6:40 pmI think I would have to prevent myself from eating an entire batch of these cookies! My favorite things are caramel, brown sugar and those warm spices. They sound amazing! 🙂
Gerlinde de Broekert
December 8, 2016 at 12:08 amIt's the season for cookies. Yours look delicious. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy Acapulco.
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:42 amThanks Gerlinde. It was quite special!
Balvinder Ubi
December 6, 2016 at 4:22 pmThese cookies look lovely. Hope you enjoyed your second honeymoon more than first one:)
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:42 amNot more. But it sure was almost as good! Thanks Balvinder!
mjskit
December 6, 2016 at 3:51 amThese cookies make this cookie monster very happy!!!! Caramel!!!! YUM! Hope you had a wonderful trip!!!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:41 amTrade you for a fried green tomato sandwich!
Beth
December 5, 2016 at 12:03 amYour cookies look amazing. Enjoy Acapulco!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:41 amThanks Beth. What a fu trip and it didn't change a bit. Still perfect in every way!
Bobbi Marshall
December 3, 2016 at 3:21 amHave a great time in the sun and enjoy your holiday. These cookies look so chewy and delicious and love that little kick of white pepper!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:40 amIt is crazy, but I love being tan. I know. I know. But it feels so good!
Laura Dembowski
December 2, 2016 at 9:56 pmEnjoy your trip! These cookies look amazing with that gooey caramel.
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:40 amCaramel is good in all forms! But gooey is the best!
Holly @ abakershouse.com
November 30, 2016 at 7:09 pmThese cookies have some of my favorite flavors– caramel and ginger. I would love a few dozen of these and might need to add these to my Christmas cookie baking list. Enjoy your trip!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:39 amThese are right up your alley Holly!
SavoringTime in the Kitchen
November 30, 2016 at 5:59 pmWow, have a wonderful second honeymoon, Abbe! How sweet and romantic of your husband 🙂 Cookies sound delicious!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:39 amVery sweet. Very romantic. That ought to cover it for the next 35!
Tricia Buice
November 30, 2016 at 4:57 pmOh my gosh – have a wonderful time! Our 31st anniversary is coming up but I doubt we are going anywhere 🙂 Can't wait to hear all about your trip – love the cookies toO!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:39 amThe time flies, doesn't it? Truthfully I thought it would just be dinner out. Guess he was away too long!
Biz
November 30, 2016 at 4:26 pmHooray on a second honeymoon! Perfect time to reconnect, have some cocktails and good food. Have fun! And just saying, those cookies look insulin worthy!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:38 amThanks Biz! Cocktails made the list. Like every day!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
November 30, 2016 at 5:07 amOHHH MY! I am baking cookies tomorrow, but they probably will NOT turn out as delicious looking as these! Hot diggity! LOL! YES, I just said DIGGITY!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:37 amDog! Hot diggity dog! You cute girl!
Cheri Savory Spoon
November 30, 2016 at 2:21 amHi Abbe, oh Happy Anniversary, what a wonderful surprise!!!! Cookies look fabulous!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:37 amThanks Cheri!
Juliana
November 29, 2016 at 10:59 pmThese cookies sound a lot of fun with the caramel in it…they sure look delicious Abbe. Enjoy your time in Mexico!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:37 amThanks Juliana! Now I'm ready to do it all over again!
Sippity Sup
November 29, 2016 at 10:28 pmI saw you were in Acapulco and I'm glad to see you did not arrive hungry. GREG
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:36 amHungry? What's that?
Liz Berg
November 29, 2016 at 2:00 amOh, how fun!!! Happy anniversary to you both—I think you have a keeper.
P.S. Love these cookies!!!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:36 amI guess he is, Liz!
Kitchen Riffs
November 28, 2016 at 6:29 pmNothing like going away to reconnect! Travel does that, doesn't it? Anyway, great looking cookies. We've been baking a bit too — guess it's the season. 🙂 Have a terrific trip!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:36 amThanks John! Travel is one of my favorite things. Hadn't done any in so long and then this year I hit the jack pot!
Karen Turnbull
November 28, 2016 at 3:02 pmHappy Anniversary and have a wonderful trip! And I think you look fabulous always so cheers to what ever you're doing!!!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:35 amOh Karen. We must get together soon!
La Table De Nana
November 28, 2016 at 1:11 pmHave a great trip!
These look good..wow just starting to get frown lines? I had expression lines lol by the age of 20.
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:35 amLike that term Monique. Must pass it on to Mama!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch)
November 28, 2016 at 1:08 pmWhat a wonderful surprise. Have a fabulous time in Mexico.
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:34 amThanks Lea Ann! Wonderful is right!
Angie Schneider
November 27, 2016 at 7:05 pmI love spiced cookies and the add of caramel makes them even more tempting!
Abbe Odenwalder
December 9, 2016 at 4:34 amSo good, these are, Angie!