Martha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share: A Baking Book Paperback - 2008

From the rear cover

The year was 1982, and Martha Stewart published her first book, Entertaining. This immediate best-seller, based on Martha's experience as a professional caterer, introduced readers to a new style of entertaining and a new style of cookbook - one that was gloriously photographed and filled with a wealth of information on the art of hospitality. In the years following, Martha wrote eight more books on food and entertaining, continuing to inspire a growing legion of fans with beautiful food, simply but elegantly presented. This book is the culmination of those years of publishing. More than 1,600 recipes and variations - all the recipes from Entertaining, Quick Cook, Pies & Tarts, Hors d'Oeuvres, Quick Cook Menus, Gardening, Weddings, Christmas, and Menus for Entertaining - are gathered together in a single volume. Thoroughly revised and updated, The Martha Stewart Cookbook includes a new introduction by Martha, new step-by-step illustrations, new menus, and sidebars and tips on subjects as varied as freezing pastry, selecting the best fruit, and setting the table.

Excerpt

Rum Raisin Shortbread
 
*Makes about 4 1/2 dozen*
 
This crumbly shortbread is studded with dried currants, which are tiny
raisins made from Zante grapes. The currants must be soaked overnight,
so you'll need to plan your craving a day in advance.
 
    * 1/2 cup dark rum
    * 1 cup currants
    * 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
    * 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
    * 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
    * 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    * 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    * 3/4 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut
    * 1 teaspoon coarse salt
 
1. Combine rum and currants in an airtight container; let sit at room
temperature overnight. Drain; reserving 2 tablespoons rum.
 
2. Put butter, confectioners' sugar, and zest in the bowl of an electric
mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until creamy and smooth,
about 2 minutes. Add vanilla and reserved rum. Beat well, scraping down
the sides of the bowl as necessary. Reduce speed to low. Add flour,
coconut, and salt, and beat for 3 minutes. Stir in currants by hand.
Divide dough in half and form each into a log about 1/2 inches in
diameter; wrap in parchment, and refrigerate 1 hour (or up to 3 days).
 
3. Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove dough from parchment; slice into
1/4-inch-thick rounds. Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets,
spacing about 1 inch apart. Bake until pale golden, about 20 minutes,
rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer to wire racks to cool
completely. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room
temperature up to 1 week.