RECIPE BOX: Down the rabbit hole

Together with my daughters, we read “Alice and Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll this month. It isn’t something we’ve been drawn to before but had always known of the story. We had never even watched the Disney classic movie. 

A friend phoned, informing us that she was getting rid of her collection of the classic tale. I told her we would give it a try. Upon arrival, I was overwhelmed with the collection my friend offered us. Her shelf was lined with hardback and paperback books of the novel. Additionally, she shared cookbooks, decks of cards, and tea sets, all with the same theme. 

At home, we set up a display on a table featuring all the items. Before chapter one ended, we were hooked. We quickly saw how much fun it was to go down the rabbit hole. Within three sittings, we completed the book together. I didn’t know that the storyline would provide building blocks for deeper conversations with my daughters. Some themes that surfaced were growing up, questioning society’s expectations and self-acceptance. 

We often love to go down our own little rabbit hole, doing things we love and leaving others’ expectations on the surface. After sadly accepting that the story was over, we spent time sifting through “Alice Eats: A Wonderland Cookbook” book. The pages are not only packed with creative recipes that go along with the story, but the novel itself is printed in between the pages of delicious treats. 

We landed on a tart sugar cookie. For one, we all love playing cards and making cookies that mimic a deck of cards looked intriguing. A second thought was that making a few with hearts to share for Valentine’s Day seemed fitting, considering the perfect timing. They were easy and unique, with the chance to use an actual paintbrush for baking! 

Trying more Alice-themed recipes is in our near future. We have decided to read “The Looking Glass," a sequel to “Alice in Wonderland.” We spent a few bitter cold nights watching a few different movies based on the book. At least 25 different adaptations have been put into films. Naturally, the book was better. 

If you find a bottle with a tag labeled “drink me” or a cookie with lettering reading “eat me,” do so with caution! Have fun going down whatever rabbit hole feels authentic to your true self. Speak up and out about what your heart believes in. 

Contact Ashley at ashley@tippgazette.com

Five, Seven and Two’s Painted-Red Sugar Cookies

If you make a mistake, don’t lose your head. A little paint can fix it up, and if that fails, brush up on your cookie-baking. It’s more difficult to execute someone who has just given you cookies, so stack the deck in your favor. . .

Makes 2 to 3 dozen cookies

Cookies

1/3 cup (85 mL) butter, at room temperature

2 Tbsp (30 mL) canola or other mild vegetable oil

3/4 cup (185 mL) sugar

grated zest of a lemon (optional)

1 large egg

2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla

1 1/2 cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour

1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder

1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt

Paint

1 egg yolk

a few drops red food coloring

To make the cookies

In a large bowl, beat the butter, oil, sugar and lemon zest (if using) with an electric mixer until pale and light; add the egg and vanilla and beat for a minute, until smooth and well blended.

In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to the sugar mixture and stir by hand or beat on low speed just until you have a soft dough. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for half an hour.

When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch (3 mm) thick. Cut the cookies into card shapes—or flowers, hearts, spades or a combination of shapes—and place 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

To make the paint: Put the egg yolk in a small dish and add a few drops of food coloring. Mix with a fork until well blended. Use a small paintbrush to paint the unbaked cookies with the red “paint.”

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until the cookies are pale golden around the edges and the paint is dry and glossy. Using a thin spatula, transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Alice’s advice: Egg-yolk cookie “paint” cooks dry and glossy—not sticky like regular frosting—and you have far more control with a paintbrush than an icing bag. Try making an entire palette of colors in small ramekins, adding a few drops of food coloring per egg yolk.