But we can at least hope it is temporary.
The Spiced Life has gone, maybe temporarily, maybe permanently, dairy-free.
If it took a while for that statement to sink in you are not alone. I am sure some of my regular readers have noticed that I get sinus infections–a lot. And this year I got the chronic one that would not go away. 6 rounds of antibiotics in 6 months. The doctor said if the cough came back–and it did–I needed to try cutting dairy (if that does not work, next is gluten). That would be my family doctor, but next week I am scheduling a visit with my allergist, because as of right now I don’t really understand all the implications and nuances (for example, am I allergic to all dairy protein or just lactose? Can I cheat occasionally? etc). At first I was maintaining my zen, contemplating and trying various subs at home, but then I went to a reception at the university for professors who have gotten tenure (my husband), and I couldn’t eat anything basically.
I won’t lie, it really upset me. Especially since we had been planning to go for Indian after the reception and I realized that was out also (it will be easy to make my own curries, etc, but at many Indian restaurants in the States, there is tons of cream and butter used). I came home and ate my woes in mint chocolate chip coconut “ice cream” with an additional mint chocolate bar chopped into it, which is hardly the appropriate response but I never claimed to always be sensible or respond with perfect equanimity to bad news.
Anyway this is a recipe I made before I got the bad news, and this cookie was so absolutely delicious that it has become this symbol of everything I am potentially giving up. A simple cookie, I suspect it really needs real butter to achieve greatness, and the milk chocolate complements the hazelnut perfectly–this is not a case where semi sweet will do. At least not for this milk chocolate fiend.
Sigh.
But if you can still eat dairy, unlike myself, run don’t walk to get the ingredients to make this latest triumph from Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cookies by Alice Medrich
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- 16 T (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (3.5 oz) granulated sugar
- 2 t vanilla
- 1/2 t fine sea salt
- 2 cups (9 oz) AP flour
- 3/4 cup coarsely chopped milk chocolate preferably at least 35% cacao (I love Scharffen Berger)
- 3/4 cup (3.75 oz) coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts
- approx. 1/2 cup powdered sugar
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Using a large spoon or a mixer, mix the butter, sugar, vanilla and salt just until blended. Stir in the flour just until it is completely blended. Stir in the chocolate and nuts. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours (at which point they were great) or overnight (even better).
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Before baking, prepare baking sheets by lining with parchment or leaving un-greased. Preheat the oven to 325 F.
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Using a fork and your hands, pull off irregular clumps of about a tablespoon's worth of dough. You may need to use your hands to encourage the dough to stick together (it is a fairly dry dough), but leave the shape irregular and spiky. Do not smooth or round. Place the cookies 2 inches apart (I got 12 to a sheet).
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Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the cookies are lightly colored on top and golden brown on the bottom. While the cookies are baking prepare the powdered sugar by placing it in a small sieve.
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When the cookies are done, let them cool on the sheets for 5 minutes. Then sift powdered sugar over the cookies; sift a second time if necessary. Sift yet again before serving if all the powdered sugar has absorbed.
Amazon affiliate links were used in this post, but only to link to items that would have been discussed and linked to anyway.
Going dairy free is hard. I’m not trying to discourage you but nothing can replace milk in a cup of coffee. I’ve been trying to cut back too. I’m already eating less cheese. You can do it. There are so many great substitutes these days.
Your cookies look lovely!
That really stinks Laura! But at least we live in a world where vegan and lactose-free eating is pretty common, so there are still plenty of fabulous recipes out there for you to indulge in!
This cookies look terrific! I better start baking right now.
On another note, really sad you have to go through this. Hope you feel better soon. Please do not go away completely. We still want to keep reading your posts!
Thanks for sharing.
*hug* I’ve know folks who have to cut out dairy and it is difficult. I do know that if you can enjoy dark chocolate, that shouldn’t have dairy, it if does, you need to look for another source.
Laura – these cookies look absolutely delicious! As much as I love dairy I totally understand the love/hate relationship we can have with it. One good thing with any allergy is that is challenges us to try new foods. Good luck!
I have a dear friend who recently altered her diet due to chronic sinus infections…she still has the occasional slice of cheese pizza, but she’s doing so much better. Hope this new diet brings you good health.
PS…great cookies 🙂
What is the connection between dairy and sinus infections?!?!?! Also, the cookies look amazing!
Tiffany: I wish I knew. Hopefully as I understand more at some point I will be able to answer that!
That’s not so bad, Laura. I cut down dairy from my diet because I’ve read a lot about how dairy isn’t good for you. If you have the time, check out this video: http://summertomato.com/dairy-friend-or-foe/
BTW those cookies look great 🙂
I gonna make me som of these Right Now ;o)
Hi Laura,
i came across this recipe bc i was looking for something to do with my left over hazlenuts i dont like to eat raw!! haha
I have cut out Dairy, Gluten, Wheat and Yeast from my diet..this is because I broke out in a rash all over my face!!! I used to eat what i want when i wanted it and didnt think twice about it. but now its at a consequence, as is yours, so i choose to “Opt Out” of the bad foods and fill my body with goodness! And yes, there has been times where i have had chocolate and snuck in a small piece of bread, but just cutting it down has made a HUGE difference in my life.
its a mind set, anyone can do it if they put their mind to it, i just had a really good reason too!
ps im sure these cookies are delicious! 🙂