If you think Alcatraz is just known for its notorious inmates, not for its cookies—get ready to have your mind blown by this recipe that's so good it's CRIMINAL.
Meet Amy Bruni's Culinary Adventure, Food to Die For
Welcome, food lovers, Amy Bruni fans, and true crime junkies! We have a treat for you that combines the spookiness of Alcatraz with the deliciousness of homemade cookies. This recipe is straight from Amy Bruni’s book, Food to Die For, which brings you recipes and stories from notoriously haunted places in America.
Alcatraz is famous for housing some of the most dangerous criminals. Inmates were transferred there after persistent disobedience, if they were especially violent, or if they had a high risk of escape. Many prisoners and staff have claimed to see phantom prisoners, soldiers, and even “The Thing,” an entity with glowing eyes! But despite its spooky reputation, Alcatraz was also known for its high-quality food praised by both inmates and staff.
A Cookbook Born in Alcatraz
The island was home to about 300 civilians. Among them were the families of prison staff who made their own life on the island. The Alcatraz Women’s Club published a cookbook as a fundraiser for these families, and it included this delightful Cinnamon Sugar Cookies recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start conjuring up these ghostly goodies in your kitchen, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of butter
- 1 cup of sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- Cinnamon sugar mixture for coating
Mixing Magic
To begin, mix together butter, sugar, and eggs in a large bowl. Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easier mixing. Beat the mixture until it's creamy and well-blended. It's this step that sets the foundation for your delicious cookies.
Adding the Dry Ingredients
Next, stir in the cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. These ingredients are crucial for giving the cookies their soft and chewy texture. Mix until the dough forms. It should be thick and slightly sticky, perfect for rolling into balls.
Chilling the Dough
Now, the recipe says to chill the dough for 6-12 hours, but I found that chilling it for about 4 hours worked just fine. Chilling the dough helps it firm up and makes it easier to handle when you roll it into balls. Plus, it intensifies the flavors, making your cookies even more irresistible.
Rolling and Coating
Once the dough is chilled, roll it into small balls. The size is up to you, but I recommend making them about the size of a walnut. Then, coat each ball in a generous amount of cinnamon sugar. This coating gives the cookies a wonderful sweet and spicy flavor that is simply divine.
Baking Time
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as baking times can vary depending on your oven.
Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool. The aroma of cinnamon and sugar will fill your kitchen, making it hard to wait.
The Story Behind the Recipe
The charm of this recipe isn't just in its taste, but also in its history. Imagine the wives of Alcatraz prison staff baking these cookies while their husbands guarded some of America's most infamous criminals. The contrast between the ordinary act of baking and the extraordinary setting of Alcatraz adds a layer of intrigue to this simple recipe.
Amy Bruni, known for her work on paranormal investigations, brings a unique perspective to this recipe. Her book, Food to Die For, combines her love for the supernatural with her passion for food. Each recipe in the book is tied to a haunted location, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good ghost story with their meal.
Conclusion
And there you have it! Delicious Cinnamon Sugar Cookies, straight from Alcatraz. This recipe from Food to Die For by Amy Bruni is more than just a dessert; it's a piece of history. I've had so much fun diving into this book, and I'm sure you will too.
Don't miss out on this unique culinary experience. Get your copy of Food to Die For today and start baking your way through America's haunted history.