Remembrance Cookies for Samhain

These cookies can be made on Samhain/ Halloween. They can be shaped like people and the herb rosemary is added to the dough as a symbol of remembrance. Some of the cookies are eaten while telling stories or attributes of special ancestors, reminding us that we still have access to their strengths--or perhaps a predisposition to their weaknesses..  The rest of the cookies are left outside by a bonfire or by window next to a black candle as an offering. This can be a solemn ritual, but it need not be.

1 1/2 cups. powdered sugar
1 cup. butter or margarine (softened)
1 egg
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon. almond extract
2 1/2 cups. all purpose flour
1 teaspoon. baking soda
1 teaspoon. cream of tartar
1 1/2 Tablespoon. chopped rosemary

Heat oven 375 degrees. In a large bowl, beat sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, almond extract, and rosemary until creamy. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Fold flour mixture into sugar mixture. Beat until dough forms and refrigerate for three hours. Divide dough into halves. Roll out one portion to 3/16 of an inch on a floured surface. Cut out with gingerbread women or men cutters and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat rolling and cutting with second portion. Bake for 5-7 minutes

Bacon Brownies

Sweet and Salty and OMG Good

Ingredients

1/4 pound bacon, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish.

Fry bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until nearly crisp, about 5 minutes. Add honey and stir until the foaming subsides. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a plate to cool.

Mix melted butter, brown sugar, white sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl; mix in eggs.

Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt together in a bowl; add to the egg mixture. Fold bacon and chocolate chips into the mixture; pour into the prepared baking dish.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes. Allow brownies to cool for 20 minutes before cutting into squares.

Tips by Daw
If you freeze the bacon first, it's easier to dice.

A nice touch is to place the candied bacon on top of the brownies. If you choose to do this, cook the bacon a little less initially, because it will continue to cook in the oven on top of the batter.