I had so many nice comments on my last post for KNORR SPINACH DIP about how much readers enjoy seeing recipes from the last century…yikes, it’s hard to believe I was born over a half century ago. There wasn’t the obsession with dieting back then and nobody felt much guilt at all when helping him or herself to a generous plate of Christmas cookies. It was the variety to choose from that made the cookies seem so special and indulgent, and I like my cookie plates to look just like they did way back then.
This recipe for ALMOND LACE WAFERS is one of my family’s favorites. I love having this wonderful recipe written in my mother’s handwriting, and the few smudges and stains make it even more special. I would place it in the mid ’60’s, if not before. Don’t you love the reference to the hand grinder?…no food processors back then.
This is the easiest cookie recipe you will ever find. Just put the few ingredients into a saucepan, heat on low until the butter melts. then drop by the teaspoon full onto a greased and floured cookie sheet. Parchment paper and a silpat work very well…better than the grease and flour.
The lace wafers are easy to make…the trick can be rolling them around a wooden spoon handle. If you have never tried making a recipe like this I suggest you make 2 cookies on the first try to get the feel of rolling them. If the cookies get too brittle just put the pan back into the oven for a few seconds and they will soften up.
They don’t always turn out the same size as you can see. It doesn’t matter. Take the cookies out of the oven when the centers have turned a nice golden brown. Let them cool for about 20 second and then gently slide a spatula underneath and turn them face side down onto a paper towel. Carefully and loosely roll them around a wooden spoon and place edge side down on a wire rack to cool.
Don’t worry about any bits of cookie that fall off as you handle them. This isn’t a perfect science here. If the wafer breaks as you roll it consider it a gift to the cook and eat it. My mother dipped an end in chocolate so of course I have to do that too. Skip that step if you prefer.
For variety I sometimes leave the cookies flat and spread a very thin layer of chocolate on the bottom of one of the cookies and add a second one on top to make a cookie sandwich. I have also rolled them in a cone shape and just before serving add a little dab of whipped cream or chocolate mousse.
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We here at Wives with Knives wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by for a visit. I appreciate your friendship more than I can say and always look forward to your comments. Have a delicious holiday and come back soon.
This post is linked to FOODIE FRIDAY at Rattlebridge Farm.
- ¾ cup grated unblanched almonds (I used ¾ cup almond flour)
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Grease and flour 2 cookie sheets. Chop almonds in blender until mealy (don't grind in a food grinder). I used ¾ cup almond flour. Mix nuts and reamining ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until butter melts.
- Drop teaspoonfuls of batter on cookie sheet - 5 or 6 at a time, about 4 inches apart. Bake 8-10 minutes, until cookies turn a light caramel color, with the centers still bubbling. Let cool 1 minute, then carefully lift off with a spatula and place, top side down, on a paper towel. Immediately roll over the handle of a wooden spoon. Place, edge under, on a wire rack to cool. Work quickly, and if cookies get too crisp to roll put them back into the oven for a few seconds.
I have never actually had these before. I love anything almond though so they sound great. So pretty and dainty looking, too. I love the look of dipping them in chocolate for a nice finish!
Becki’s Whole Life recently posted..Soft Pumpkin Spice Honey Cookies
Oh gorgeous dipped in chocolate:-)
Happy TG to you:-)
Pinning…
Monique recently posted..Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes~
These cookies are beautiful Cathy. I have had them many years ago and loved them. I can’t believe that I’m old enough either to remember food grinders! I still have my mother’s grinder, but don’t use it of course since I have the processor. Thanks for another trip down memory lane.
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Lynda recently posted..Homemade Cranberry Sauce
I love how dainty lace cookies are…and as a lover of all things with almond…these would not last long at my house…dainty or not!! Happy Thanksgiving, Cathy!
Kate recently posted..For the Love of Cranberries!!
Yum! These remind me of a Scandinavian cookie — although I think that one was made with oatmeal. I like the idea of almonds better, especially if there is any chocolate involved!
Wishing you and your family a very blessed Thanksgiving also!
Blessings,
Aimee
these look so good, I want to stuff with cream ha
have a lovely thanksgiving
rebecca recently posted..Slow Down…
I love lace cookies. We used to make them all the time. Yours look beautiful.
I had to laugh at your line about “recipes from the last century… Wow – now there’s food for thought – where has the time gone? I’m a child of the fifties, and I too miss the days of people just enjoying food and not obsessing about every bite that passes their lips. It drives me nuts.
Have a wonderful holiddy- Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Old family recipes are the best Cathy! Your cookies are beautiful! Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving-enjoy:@)
Happier Than A Pig in Mud recently posted..Apple Brownies
Your cookies are so dainty. They remind of a ladies lace hankie. Thanks for the tip on rolling them. Silplat & parchment paper have certainly made baking easier haven’t they. Wishing you and your family a happy & blessed Thanksgiving.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..A Plethora of Cranberry Sauces & Relishes
“Gobble-Gobble-Gobble” …that is NOT the Thanksgiving turkey….it is ME trying to eat these through the screen!
How pretty they look! Wonderfully enticing photos, Cathy…truly mouthwatering.
I’ve eaten these but never dared to try making them myself. You make them sound so easy! Perhaps this is the year to experiment.
Happy Thanksgiving to you & your entire family!!!
Rettabug recently posted..♥♥ Mom Always Wore Aprons! ♥♥
ok, if you say it’s the easiest recipe, I believe you, but it looks pretty snazzy. I remember I did a post on that old taco salad recipe, the one with French or Catalina dressing and iceberg lettuce and it got a lot of comments. It’s so fun to remember. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving Cathy.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) recently posted..Poached Eggs in White Wine
What gorgeous “lace like” cookies, Cathy! Recipes handed down are the best.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!
~Judy
JG recently posted..~Pie & History~
I could never skip the chocolate! They look fantastic, Cathy! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours 🙂 Enjoy the season!
Happy Thanksgiving Cathy! These look so pretty and I love almond so I’m going to try them. Having recipes in your mom’s handwriting is a true treasure 🙂
I really treasure her recipes, Lynn. Thanks for your comment. I hope you and your family have a very happy holiday.
Cathy recently posted..Almond Lace Wafers
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I love lace cookies but have never tried making them. About how many cookies does this recipe make.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Spinach And Sausage Rolls
It makes 16-20 cookies depending on the size you make. You will be amazed how easy they are to make, Karen. I hope you give them a try.
Cathy recently posted..Almond Lace Wafers
Cathy, these sound so good and what a treasure to have the recipe in your Mom’s own handwriting. I love the idea of filling them, too.
Kitty recently posted..Happy Thanksgiving
These look great. I have to try them. They look similar to a Norwegian cookie Krumkaka. Except for the krumkaka you use a two sided iron griddle and gook them on the stove top. I’ve wanted to try those for a while too but I lost the krumkaka iron that I had once upon a time 🙁 I wonder if you could bake krumkaka the same way. Anyway I can’t wait to try your recipe and dipping them in chocolate is genius.
Joybee recently posted..Black Bean Soup
I always love to find something with my mother’s handwriting on it… especially recipes. What a wonderful connection. These lacy cookies are just so pretty!
Karen recently posted..Pumpkin Roll
These cookies sound wonderfully light and delicious, Cathy! I will have to try my hand at making them this season.
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti recently posted..It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas….
Those look so pretty and I love almonds. YUM!
I need a new cookie to bake this year and these just might fill the bill. Much better than Pepperidge Farm, right? And please, don’t mention the half a century. Have already made it past that but think I’m happy just staying where I am. Well, maybe.
Abbe@This is How I Cook recently posted..Thanksgivingkuh 2013 and The Easiest Sugar Donuts
Divine!
xo
Sheila
These wafers sounded just perfect to go with some ice cream. Guess…not now…during this freezing cold weather over in US. :o) Bookmark this as well.
Blessings, Kristy
kristy recently posted..The Simple Delicious *4*
I couldn’t wait to give this a try and was surprised at how easy it was (your pictures helped)! My husband raved about them at work so I made a second batch for him to share. Thank you for sharing your family’s recipe.