THE SABLE - A CLASSIC FRENCH COOKIE

The "sable"  (pronounced saab-luh')has its origins in Caen in the Normandy province of France.  Its name means "sand" due to its crumbly and sandy texture. The truly French version of this cookie is eaten alone and not sandwiched together with ganache or other fillings - not that it would be such a bad idea!

Some say this delicate cookie is reminiscent of the American icebox cookie. I tend to disagree for one reason - "decadent flavor". The sable may look quite humble, but the flavors are divine and after one cookie, your sweet tooth feels quite satisfied.

I tend to dress mine up a bit with a slightly ruffled edge and a dusting of coarse sanding sugar on top. Traditionally the dough is rolled into logs and frozen and then slightly defrosted, sliced and baked. The result is a somewhat round cookie, but I prefer to roll the dough and give each cookie a nice ruffled edge with a cookie cutter. The result: a much more elegant and precise cookie.

I think this type of cookie is deserving of two traditional flavors - French Vanilla and Chocolate Orange Espresso. I can't say that I love one more than the other. The one I choose on any given day is really based on mood. 

The French Vanilla has a browned butter flavor with a sweet crunch. The Chocolate Orange Espresso is quite decadent as well - just in a different way. The chocolate and orange are quite pronounced and the espresso gives it the rich darkness that I was looking for in such a cookie. Even if you are not a coffee-drinker, you will most likely think the richness you taste is the chocolate itself.

Whichever you choose, they are both quite indulgent in taste and flavor and easily disguise themselves in their humble display. The French are decidely ingenious in their creation of pastries and cookies - from quite elegant and complex to quite simplistic. But the taste is always perfection!

Sweetly,

Christine

WANT THE ULTIMATE CUPCAKE?

In the short span of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Stephen and I were in downtown Bethlehem, PA and decided to see if the new "cupcake" shop was open. Do you know the place? Well, let's just say we've been waiting for this lovely shop to open and we were pleasantly surprised that particular day!

Yes....it is "Sugar Babe" and Angela Malpedo is the owner of this quaint cupcake store located on 14 W. Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. I will tell you it was quite hard to decide which delicious cupcake to try:) Stephen and I both bought a rich, dark chocolate cupcake with a perfect peanut butter buttercream which was topped with "the" tastiest mini peanut butter cookie...did I say the interior had a .....yes....peanut butter filling! 

We, of course, forced ourselves to wait until after dinner, perfectly seated on our living room sofa, to enjoy our "find". The rule is.....you  must eat your treat with your eyes closed...so as to get the full experience of this most tempting confection:)

The truth is.....there are SO MANY cupcakes out there. We've tried many and honestly, you WILL NOT FIND A BETTER CUPCAKE anywhere in the Lehigh Valley. Those in the baking industry understand that people "eat with their eyes first", so the confection must be eye-appealing initially.  Of course, the ingredients must be fresh and of good quality. Angela knows this quite well. Her cupcakes are beautiful, chic, delicious and "cleanly" presented. What I mean by "cleanly" is their appearance is top notch - perfectly iced and designed. You automatically know that it will be delicious before tasting it because of the attention and care she puts into her presentation. We are bakers who think along the same lines. "Care" is the catalyst to becoming well known and in demand. She is genuine and her cupcakes reflect that trait.

So...make it a point to stop into her lovely shop! "Sugar Babe" is located at 14 W. Broad Street, Bethlehem, Pa 18018 and their phone# is: 610.462.8050. Their website is: http://www.sugarbabecupcakes.com.

Much continued success is wished for you, Angela!
Blessings,
Christine