So, I know I said you wouldn’t hear from for a while as I was writing mid-year evaluations.  Well, it just got too much for me and instead of thinking words like “significant growth, moved the needle, inspiring others, challenging situation, contribution, new skills”… and all the other good words that go along with writing evaluations, my brain was going to “lemony, sweet, cookie goodness” – well I just had to do something about that didn’t I?  I mean, how can I be a good manager otherwise :).  

LEMONY VANILLA COOKIE BALLS
(adapted from a South Beach Diet recipe)

Ingredients

1 ½ cups of white flour
3 tablespoons of granulated sugar
4 tablespoons of confectioner’s sugar
1 ½ tablespoons of grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon of baking powder
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup margarine
1 egg
1 ½ tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

Directions

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons of the confectioner’s sugar, lemon peel and the baking powder.  Mix together. 

Add the margarine and pulse either with a mixer or food processor (either is fine).  I am currently in the market for a new food processor so used my hand-held one, which works perfectly fine, it’s just not as fabulous.  Anyway, add the egg and lemon juice and mix until a dough forms.  I then continue to form the mixture into a big dough ball with my hands.

Wrap the dough ball in plastic wrap and put in the fridge for at least an hour.  2-3 hours is probably better.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.  Shape the dough into one inch balls and place them on the baking sheet about an inch apart.

Bake for 15 minutes or until the cookies are a light golden color.  Remove from the oven and dust them with the remaining 1 tablespoon of confectioner’s sugar and let cool.  I actually didn’t even let cool for a second before I eat one!

Delicious, light, fluffy and I need another one.  I am getting another one, actually I am getting another two and then I will write another evaluation!

Tracey