12/15/09

toffee-vanilla pinwheels



I love cookies, pastries, cakes, breads, etc... that have a bit of shape and art to them. When I saw the original cookie recipe of these on Alton Brown's Christmas-cookie-something-show I wanted to make them simply because of the twirl. Who cares what they tasted like I wanted that damn twirl! They do taste great though, added bonus. On Alton's show he made them as a peppermint version. Since I am not the person to go by the rules I did them my way. I'm not a big fan of candy peppermint, I love the taste of mint, but just hate the whole crunchy candy cane stuff. Candy canes are kind boring to me...I need something else happening/going on taste or texture wise with the candy cane to eat it. I love watching and learning from Alton Brown, but sometimes he can get a bit cheeky in his "Good Eats" show--too goofy, too silly you know? He is very smart and knowledgeable when it comes to deconstructing recipes and educating you on their backgrounds and simpleness of them--so why be cheeky? Half the time when I'm watching his show I rarely pay attention, my ADD gets the best of me when shiny kitchen utensils are in the forefront and background. I have to see what he has for kitchen tools, how he has his kitchen drawers lined up, what's in all the kitchen drawers, how many gadgets he has, and what's in his friggin' fridge! I also love seeing what kind of knives the chef's have on the show 'The Next Iron Chef', and what else is in their bags and foldups. I'm a firm believer that the perfect tools help make the perfect chef. Duh, right?



toffee-vanilla pinwheels 2 12-12-2009 9-19-50 AM

Back to these cookies, as I said above they were originally chocolate-peppermint pinwheels from Alton Brown. To make the toffee-vanilla pinwheels all I did was change it up with toffee and take out all peppermint, and change places with the two doughs. You could change it up with just about anything really: peanut butter sounds good; I would love to try a vanilla-strawberry version. So, if you do want to make these my way: just follow that recipe from Alton Brown, take out the peppermint extract, use 1/2 cup toffee bits instead of crushed candy cane, add the toffee bits to the vanilla dough not the chocolate dough, and put the chocolate layer on the inside instead of the outside. That's it! These make awesome Christmas gifts if they ever make it out of your kitchen.

toffee-vanilla pinwheels 8 12-12-2009 9-28-26 AM

43 comments:

  1. Oh these are beautiful. They look so festive and delicious...

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  2. Well, I like peppermint, but I like toffee too! Yeah, Alton Brown can be a little on the odd side. But I love watching his show!

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  3. Very nice! My husband absolutely hates Alton Brown but I think his show is very informative and interesting...most of the time! Happy holidays to all.

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  4. These are gorgeous. They sound amazing, too.

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  5. Toffee wins! We may make pinwheels for a cookie exchange party. They look so 'of the season'!

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  6. I actually got to meet Alton Brown and watch him in our local Seafood Challenge (Monterey, CA). He's actually very approachable and very nice. I don't make a lot of his recipes, but I've learned a lot of great technique from him. Funny thing-- I saw these TODAY and bookmarked them. I'm so glad you made them and I much prefer your adaptation. Perfect timing!

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  7. Well I think that DAMN swirl looks just fabulous!!!
    I love Alton in a nerdy..dorky kinda way

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  8. I must admit, I am not a huge fan of Alton's show, but compared to some of the new crap on FN, I can stomach it sometimes. I like the switch out to toffee though. I agree...way better than candy cane!

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  9. These cookies are so much fun, I adore the swirl and the addition of toffee.

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  10. It is so dangerous for me to come to your site - I swear I start drooling immediately.

    The pinwheels look pretty and veru tasty. I am loving them.

    Next the chocolate caramel tarts - A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

    Then, the one that tempts me the most - the pretzel shortbread. Bookmarked.

    Nicely done Dawn. Nicely done.

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  11. These are gorgeous. I want to make them for the swirl too! I agree- like Alton but I get total ADD watching his show. Hope you're having a nice week!Don't worry, I'll keep the Franky hotness coming :)

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  12. These are just the sweetest little things!

    They make me want to have another wedding so I can wrap them up in plastic and tie them with a little bows to give to guests. Hmmmm... Maybe we'll have to have a vow renewal.

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  13. Aw beautiful! Nice creation.

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  14. I love watching Alton Browns show..the pinwheels look amazing!

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  15. I am definitely liking your version on this one! Hope all has been well. We're all fine, cats are fine..move was horrible but we're alive. Lol!!

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  16. hypnotic…and completely perfect. obviously, i wouldn't mind either version, but i really like the look of yours. way to mix it up and be creative!

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  17. Oh, my mom used to makes something like this when I was a kid though she didn't add toffee & that sounds great

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  18. Hubba hubba, I'm in love. I think he does the schtick so people are not overwhelmed at his scientific explanations. My girls love him and all his goofy props.

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  19. Those are really beautiful looking cookies, Dawn!

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  20. Lovely, these look delicious.
    Congratulation your blog is very nice, I like so much.
    I´m sorry, my english is no so good.
    I knew your blog few days ago.

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  21. I'm so loving toffee lately and you're right--the twirl is awesome!

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  22. i'm guessing they would not make it out of my kitchen :) but i might have to make them anyways!!

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  23. Those look phenomenal! Alton bugs me too, sometimes. He has this "my way is right, everyone else is wrong" attitude that pisses me off.

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  24. These are absolutely gorgeous, I love the swirl!

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  25. Another winner from your kitchen!

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  26. Re. all the comments: I'd love to read comments from those who've actually made them! Anyone?

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  27. hey gerry/anonymous- these are from Alton Brown, if you click on the link I provided you'll be able to go to the page where they came from and see comments on people who made them!!! yeah!

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  28. I'm sure Alton would love these too!!! I adore pinwheels cookies, they always look so cute! And yours have such a little perfect curl. Nicely done girl!

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  29. The swirl is absolutely beautiful!! Love the flavour combo. Very nicely done :)

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  30. I'm definitely making these for next week...even though I really need to watch what goes in my mouth since I can't exercise indefinitely. :(

    And since I've neglected my blog, I just noticed your comment on it. I think with those sweet potato muffins I must have used too much cinnamon in the filling since that's the only thing that could have made it brownish. Still very tasty though!

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  31. I love the golden bits of toffee in these. I think I'd like the peppermint version too though.

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  32. These look fabulous and so festive too.

    I would love your version because as much as I love mint I am a little picky when it comes to baking with it so yours would be a delight to eat.

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  33. What fun cookies! I think I would like both versions :)

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  34. love your blog, girl! these cookies look FANTASTIC!

    alton brown has some great recipes, his TV show is a bit corny, but he teaches how to bake properly which I always need help with LOL

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  35. Lovely! No, not peanut butter! How can you beat toffee?
    You know, every once in a while (and I confess I don't watch him that much) Alton has a super recipe. I saw him make a roasted edamame salad once-it was wonderful, I have it all the time. I just wish I could tolerate his personality long enough to weed out the good stuff. I'll depend on you!

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  36. I think I've died and gone to heaven! Between this and your chocolate tarts, i will never say diet again!

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  37. Looks beautiful! Nobody can resist such pretty cookies!

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  38. These pinwheels look aaamazing. I love toffee.

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  39. i used to make these religiously for the holidays, but not with the toffee... yum!

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  40. I am so drooling over everything here. These are certainly no exception. Wow!

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  41. I would like to spin some of those pinwheels!! Nice Job!!

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