Sablés for Sable.

On this sunny windy day in Edmonton I decided to make some Spring Sablés. I know, I know, it's not Spring yet, but a girl can dream can't she? This past week has been mild, clear and beautiful but I learned today that we might actually get more snow. What a tease that mother nature is. She dangles the promise of melting snows and green grass and even coaxes us out of our winter coats only to pull the Spring rug out from under us and replace it with Winter snowdrifts. Meanie.

I can still try to wish away the interminable Winter with cookies. Deliciously fresh, surprisingly citrus, modestly sweet cookies. They're aptly named too. Sable happens to be the name of my boyfriend's lovely daughter. She approves of all my cookies and makes sure to thoroughly test them. Lemon Cherry Sablés for Sable.





Lemon Cherry Sablés

Makes 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

Adapted from Joy the Baker's Citrus Sables.

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted

1/2 tsp salt

2 egg yolks

2 cup flour

Zest of 1 lemon

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/4 cup thick cherry jam

For Decoration:

1 egg yolk

Granulated sugar

In a large bowl with a electric mixer at medium speed beat the butter until it's smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl rub the lemon zest into the granulated sugar creating a fragrant sugar. Add the sugars and salt to the butter and continue to beat it until the mixture is smooth and velvety. At low speed mix in the egg yolks, lemon juice and jam until it's well blended then gradually add the flour being careful not to over-mix the dough.

You may need to refrigerate your dough for 30 minutes before forming it into logs since it may not be firm enough. When it's ready half the dough and roll each one into a log 9 inches long and wrap them in plastic wrap. Refrigerate them for at least 2 hours or overnight if you'd prefer.

When you're ready to bake preheat the oven to 350 degrees and position a rack in the middle. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.

Brush the egg yolk onto the cookie logs and sprinkle them with sugar. Take a sharp knife and slice off the cookies about 1/3 of an inch thick. Bake them about 12 ? 15 minutes or until the edges are a light golden brown.

A yummy way to summon Spring. Enjoy!