butter | Left Coast Contessa

Last Sunday I took over my new kitchen and declared total domination. I made Maple Oatmeal Scones, fish tacos and these delicious Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies. The summer is winding down for me. I only have one more week at my internship, then one week of vacation (my brother is visiting!) and then school starts. I wanted to spend last weekend using my new kitchen but I also wanted to make some delicious cookies that I could share with my coworkers. I don’t blog about my work life but I must say that I have really enjoyed this summer and I am going to miss my coworkers and my clients.

Did you know that this is my 6th internship?

Oh yes, it is.

In the past 5 years I have: done social psychology and race research (I actually analyzed body language for 2 summers!), education policy research, helped plan a conference on race, culture & education, was a legislative intern in the Massachusetts State House, worked on fair housing litigation (where I learned that I love working with clients) and helped youth emancipating from the foster care system with legal issues <- this summer. This is probably my last internship and it was a great way to end my career as an intern.

There really is no better way to share the love with your coworkers before the end of the summer than make cookies for them. Am I right?

These cookies are like little sugary, buttery bites of heaven with a jam center. Strawberry is the perfect center for the thumbprint and, let’s face it, strawberry jam makes these an appropriate breakfast treat. Obviously my coworkers snapped these up before 10 am. You can just call this “breakfast dessert”.

Oh, and it only has a few ingredients which is nice. Since this is a Paula Deen original, there is plenty of butter involved. I altered some of the instructions based on my personal baking preferences.

Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks of room temperature, unsalted butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

Just shy of 2 cups flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 jar strawberry preserves

Instructions

Cream butter and sugar together for 10 mins with a handheld mixer.

Add the egg yolk and mix.

Combine the salt and flour in a separate bowl.

Slowly combine the flour mixture with the butter mixture. Make sure the mixer is on a low speed until the flour is completely combined. Add the vanilla.

Take the dough, wrap in plastic and chill for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350.

Take the dough and roll it into little balls. Place on a baking sheet, covered in parchment. I got to use my new commercial quality baking sheet which I got as an early birthday present! Probably the best present ever!

Once the balls are rolled use your thumb to make a thumbprint in the middle of the ball, flattening it.

Then use a spoon to fill the hole with the strawberry jam.

It’s like a cookie army.

Bake for 15 mins or until lightly browned (mine too about 20 mins).

Then all you have to do it pack it up, bring it to work and become the office hero!

What is your favorite thing to find in the kitchen at work? I love cookies but in my opinion nothing is better than walking in on some bagels and cream cheese when you really need a second breakfast.

I was totally off the blogger grid on Mother’s Day but I did manage to see some fantastic posts from Jenna and Tina about the 10 things they learned from their moms. LCCMom likes being anonymous but she has taught me many awesome lessons that I feel need to be shared with the general public in honor of Mother’s Day.

Mom sponsored eating excursion in England. Yes, I ate scones before the age of 2, don’t act surprised.

1) Fit is everything. Don’t buy clothing that doesn’t fit. It doesn’t matter how expensive or inexpensive it is if it fits well. If it doesn’t fit then get it tailored to make it fit. If it doesn’t fit then don’t wear it, don’t buy it, it doesn’t matter what it is or how trendy it is or who makes it. Don’t get me wrong though, we have different ideas about what ‘fit’ actually is. Style rules by Mom.

2) Indulge in small, fancy things. Yes, $4 cupcakes are an “affordable indulgence” that one deserves every once in a while.

3) Don’t waste time on the pity pot. Dwelling on the bad will not get you anywhere.

4) How to make the best brownies ever.

5) A clean house helps you work better. In theory, I follow this.

6) If its 15 degrees and snowing but you really want an iced tea then get the iced tea.

7) Accept the things you can and cannot change. You cannot change the action of another person but you can always shift your attitude and your reactions.

8 ) Independence is a good thing.

9) How to remove a thick layer of burned sugar from a pan. You don’t want to know.

10) There really is no good substitute for butter. Sorry vegans. It’s just how we feel.