Holiday Sweets
Katie Lee Joel
Butter cookies have always sounded rather unexciting to me. Who would want to eat a plain cookie when you could have chocolate? On a recent trip to one of my favorite eateries in Greenwich Village, Sant Ambroeus, my dining partner persuaded me to try the golden oblong cookie that accompanied my Macedonia fruit salad. I informed her that I never liked butter cookies – much too boring for me – but for the sake of argument, I popped it in my mouth. I usually don’t accept defeat easily, but on this occasion, I immediately gave in. Never before have I tasted a cookie of such perfection.
Its texture was absolutely consistent from edge to center, and it was light and flakey like an exquisite pie crust. As the cookie melted in my mouth, I was left with its sweet flavor and a gentle hint of lemon. This cookie was without flaw.
I took home a box of a dozen butter cookies from the bakery at Sant Ambreous. It’s been two days since my butter cookie awakening and I just finished the last of my home supply. I think it’s time to go for a refill.
Try some of Olive and Peach’s favorite holiday cookie recipes!
Sant Ambroeus is located in New York at 259 W. 4th St. and 1000 Madison Ave, and 30 Main St. in Southampton, NY. www.santambroeus.com
Aleishall Girard
I used to work at this Santa Fe candy store when I was in high school, so as you might imagine I have sampled everything they make. Using local ingredients like pinon nuts and red chile, their confections are unique and exquisitely delicious. Their signature pinon roll and sweet but spicy special red chile peanut brittle are two of our favorites but you can be sure that whatever you order from them will delight the taste buds.
