Comments on: Baltimore’s Finest: The Sequel. http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/ Hot Stuff from King Arthur's Hearth Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:58:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Jeanne http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-2657 Jeanne Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:15:23 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-2657 Just had a bake-off! A friend made one version and my son made the other! Then we compared cookies and icings, switching and combining. The verdict on day 1 was cookie version 1 with frosting version 2; however, on day 2, the frosting on version 1 was way too dark for all of us, and we had friends in for a taste test. We even added confectioner's sugar to the icing to increase the sweetness, as well as vanilla. That did help. On day 2, however, things did change. The cookie seemed to make less of a difference, although we still prefer version 1, because it has more of a vanilla taste. It was important to make them very small, though. And, I found that I actually preferred the darker icing on the second day. They also seemed much more like Berger cookies on the second day than on the first. So, you're choice. Lots of fun. Just enjoy! Just had a bake-off! A friend made one version and my son made the other! Then we compared cookies and icings, switching and combining. The verdict on day 1 was cookie version 1 with frosting version 2; however, on day 2, the frosting on version 1 was way too dark for all of us, and we had friends in for a taste test. We even added confectioner’s sugar to the icing to increase the sweetness, as well as vanilla. That did help.

On day 2, however, things did change. The cookie seemed to make less of a difference, although we still prefer version 1, because it has more of a vanilla taste. It was important to make them very small, though. And, I found that I actually preferred the darker icing on the second day. They also seemed much more like Berger cookies on the second day than on the first.

So, you’re choice. Lots of fun. Just enjoy!

]]> By: Jeanne http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-2651 Jeanne Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:44:54 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-2651 Just had a bake-off! A friend made one version and my son made the other! Then we compared cookies and icings, switching and combining. The verdict on day 1 was cookie version 1 with frosting version 2; however, on day 2, the frosting on version 1 was way too dark for all of us, and we had friends in for a taste test. We even added confectioner's sugar to the icing to increase the sweetness, as well as vanilla. That did help. On day 2, however, things did change. The cookie seemed to make less of a difference, although we still prefer version 1, because it has more of a vanilla taste. It was important to make them very small, though. And, I found that I actually preferred the darker icing on the second day. They also seemed much more like Berger cookies on the second day than on the first. So, you're choice. Lots of fun. Just enjoy! <strong>Thanks for the input, Jeanne. I noticed how much the cookies change from day 1 to day 2 - pretty amazing. Ah, experiments are such fun! PJH</strong> Just had a bake-off! A friend made one version and my son made the other! Then we compared cookies and icings, switching and combining. The verdict on day 1 was cookie version 1 with frosting version 2; however, on day 2, the frosting on version 1 was way too dark for all of us, and we had friends in for a taste test. We even added confectioner’s sugar to the icing to increase the sweetness, as well as vanilla. That did help.

On day 2, however, things did change. The cookie seemed to make less of a difference, although we still prefer version 1, because it has more of a vanilla taste. It was important to make them very small, though. And, I found that I actually preferred the darker icing on the second day. They also seemed much more like Berger cookies on the second day than on the first.

So, you’re choice. Lots of fun. Just enjoy!

Thanks for the input, Jeanne. I noticed how much the cookies change from day 1 to day 2 - pretty amazing. Ah, experiments are such fun! PJH

]]> By: Jeanne http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-2616 Jeanne Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:51:26 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-2616 Just printed out the recipe. Realized that version 1 still does not have confectioners sugar in the icing. Should it be there? Will be making them this afternoon and figuring it out... <strong>Jeanne, you're right, version 1 doesn't have confectioners' sugar. That's one of the reasons there's a version 2. I happen to think version 2 is closer to the original, but version 1 is awfully tasty... take your pick. And have fun! - PJH</strong> Just printed out the recipe. Realized that version 1 still does not have confectioners sugar in the icing. Should it be there? Will be making them this afternoon and figuring it out…

Jeanne, you’re right, version 1 doesn’t have confectioners’ sugar. That’s one of the reasons there’s a version 2. I happen to think version 2 is closer to the original, but version 1 is awfully tasty… take your pick. And have fun! - PJH

]]> By: Jeanne http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-2604 Jeanne Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:04:47 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-2604 I have an energy bar business and try to eat healthy foods, but being a Baltimorean, now living in Vermont, I can't give up my Berger's cookies! We buy them every time we return to Baltimore, and the only thing I now miss is getting them in Lee's Ice Cream at the Harbor! So glad I found this site! I'll be baking tomorrow, and buying Berger's next month in Baltimore! I've even found them at BJ's in Columbia for those who want to stock their freezers! I have an energy bar business and try to eat healthy foods, but being a Baltimorean, now living in Vermont, I can’t give up my Berger’s cookies! We buy them every time we return to Baltimore, and the only thing I now miss is getting them in Lee’s Ice Cream at the Harbor!

So glad I found this site! I’ll be baking tomorrow, and buying Berger’s next month in Baltimore! I’ve even found them at BJ’s in Columbia for those who want to stock their freezers!

]]> By: Linda http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-2534 Linda Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:40:17 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-2534 I was in Baltimore this weekend so I went to Lexington Market and walked the aisles until I found Bergers. It was hard to find but well worth the effort. My family devoured the first pound that I bought. I went back for more so that we could enjoy some at home. At $4.29 a pound I thought they were a bargain (about 9 cookies in a pound) considering what I have paid for fine cookies elsewhere that were not enjoyed as much. If not for this blog, I would never have known. My husband and children loved the taste of the chocolate fudge layer. Me, not so much. Now I have to make the recipe and see if they notice a difference - or, maybe I will like them more which really would not be such a good thing. I was in Baltimore this weekend so I went to Lexington Market and walked the aisles until I found Bergers. It was hard to find but well worth the effort. My family devoured the first pound that I bought. I went back for more so that we could enjoy some at home. At $4.29 a pound I thought they were a bargain (about 9 cookies in a pound) considering what I have paid for fine cookies elsewhere that were not enjoyed as much. If not for this blog, I would never have known. My husband and children loved the taste of the chocolate fudge layer. Me, not so much. Now I have to make the recipe and see if they notice a difference - or, maybe I will like them more which really would not be such a good thing.

]]> By: Erik http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-1866 Erik Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:47:47 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-1866 I tried this recipe out. They were good the first day, but much better on days 2 and 3. That icing is definetly the key here. I like the puffy cookie base too - I'm going to use that for a few other recipes I have in mind. I wrote a post about it on my blog if you want to check out my results. Thanks for taking the time to post this recipe, it's great and they disappeared quickly. BTW, did Michael come up with a 'fudgy' recipe to top these cookies with? I tried this recipe out. They were good the first day, but much better on days 2 and 3. That icing is definetly the key here. I like the puffy cookie base too - I’m going to use that for a few other recipes I have in mind. I wrote a post about it on my blog if you want to check out my results. Thanks for taking the time to post this recipe, it’s great and they disappeared quickly. BTW, did Michael come up with a ‘fudgy’ recipe to top these cookies with?

]]> By: Judy http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-1558 Judy Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:53:51 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-1558 After listening to the rave reviews for this cookie, I decided to try one again. I took one out of the freezer and let it stand at room temp for about 15 minutes. Then I tasted it. Wow! So much better than when freshly baked. I think they need to set to allow the icing to really set up and solidify. These were so good, I could have easily eaten 10 of them. Thanks so much for a wonderful recipe. <strong>Judy, I agree - I thought these were much better the second and third days. I didn't freeze any, but I imagine the freezer does the same thing. Somehow, the cookie softens a bit, the icing sets a bit more... they just mellow with age, I guess (don't we all!) - PJH</strong> After listening to the rave reviews for this cookie, I decided to try one again. I took one out of the freezer and let it stand at room temp for about 15 minutes. Then I tasted it. Wow! So much better than when freshly baked. I think they need to set to allow the icing to really set up and solidify. These were so good, I could have easily eaten 10 of them. Thanks so much for a wonderful recipe.

Judy, I agree - I thought these were much better the second and third days. I didn’t freeze any, but I imagine the freezer does the same thing. Somehow, the cookie softens a bit, the icing sets a bit more… they just mellow with age, I guess (don’t we all!) - PJH

]]> By: Judy http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-1557 Judy Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:35:24 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-1557 I made these cookies for a friend's grand opening (new photography studio). I didn't like them -- too much frosting, too sweet for me. I would like them better if they had less frosting, no powdered sugar in the frosting. But I was amazed that out of all the cookies I sent (5 different kinds), these are the ones everyone reached for and raved over. I am outvoted! These will be on my list of cookies that please people from now on. I made these cookies for a friend’s grand opening (new photography studio). I didn’t like them — too much frosting, too sweet for me. I would like them better if they had less frosting, no powdered sugar in the frosting. But I was amazed that out of all the cookies I sent (5 different kinds), these are the ones everyone reached for and raved over. I am outvoted! These will be on my list of cookies that please people from now on.

]]> By: Debbie http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-1205 Debbie Tue, 20 May 2008 23:25:31 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-1205 Oops! I was not looking at the blog and I DID miss the confectioner's sugar (completely left it out all together!) No wonder my frosting was richer and did not firm up as much as I expected it to based on the photos! And PJ, you are right. I don't know if it is possible to duplicate the flavor of Berger cookie frosting - they are quite unique. I am living in MA now but am a Baltimore native and my mom still sends me Berger cookies in the mail every once in awhile! I ALWAYS bake from scratch and generally NEVER buy cookies, but these are an exception! Thanks for all your efforts, and if you ever figure out the secret to the frosting, please share!! :) Oops! I was not looking at the blog and I DID miss the confectioner’s sugar (completely left it out all together!) No wonder my frosting was richer and did not firm up as much as I expected it to based on the photos! And PJ, you are right. I don’t know if it is possible to duplicate the flavor of Berger cookie frosting - they are quite unique. I am living in MA now but am a Baltimore native and my mom still sends me Berger cookies in the mail every once in awhile! I ALWAYS bake from scratch and generally NEVER buy cookies, but these are an exception! Thanks for all your efforts, and if you ever figure out the secret to the frosting, please share!! :)

]]> By: Gail http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-1204 Gail Tue, 20 May 2008 22:06:13 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2008/05/11/baltimores-finest-the-sequel/#comment-1204 Tried the Berger cookies yesterday and what a treat! We always look forward to buying these when we are in Maryland. Tried the Berger cookies yesterday and what a treat! We always look forward to buying these when we are in Maryland.

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