A Sable Story

I've always found peace in the mist of the kitchen. A quiet soul, craving solace in the simple joys of life. As a child I would watch my grandmother during the holidays breaking a sweat making up pies, cakes, and deserts for each person's individual cravings. She created a sacred space. A bubble of baker's delight. We were not able to run in the kitchen, for a cake would surely fall. Infact, we stayed out of the kitchen and watched from a distance. I admired the art of her being in her bubble. Never having the courage to interrupt. I dreamed of doing the same for my family one day.

Grandmother never seemed to use the books. Always having an index card or just a memory of her recipes. Almost as if they were noted on her heart. I never had the chance to ask for any of her recipes. I can remember vividly the aromas in the house, the heat that filled the room, the warmth that was created from the oven mastering her perfections.

As I made it into my teens, I became more inquisitive and interested in making my own bubble. One day at a family members home I stumbled upon a cookbook, its pages filled with intricate recipes and vivid photographs.  I needed an escape and a way to feel that security of grandmother's warmth. I needed to create a safe space. Also, a place to make my own memories and recreate the things I knew as a child. I began indulging in food network shows and learning new creations. Intrigued I decided to try my hand at baking. Although unlike grandmother I wanted to make sure that my family could learn and take with them the recipes I create so that they can pass them down generation to generation. Some days I create that bakers bubble but others I create those magical moments with my family.

Sables are what we would call a simple recipe. They do not require much product, but in this instance in my opinion less is more. Indulge in the ultimate buttery bliss with these sandy delights. They range in color, shape, and size. Some people like them with darker edges, and some like them light. Either way they taste amazing with their crunchy edges and their soft centers. I hope that this recipe finds you well. I think if grandmother was alive, I'd have her try her hand at these. I'm sure she would love them.



SABLE RECIPE

Ingredients:

1 cup Sanding Sugar for coating

1 cup European Style Butter at room temp

1 cup Granulated Sugar

1 Large Egg Yolk

1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

2 cups All Purpose Flour

1. Beat the butter on medium speed for about 1 minute until its creamy.
2. Add the salt and granulated sugar, beat on medium speed about 3 minutes. It should be airy and looked whipped.
3. Thoroughly combine the mixture by scraping down the bowl.
4. Add the egg yolk and vanilla on a low speed making sure you don't waste any batter, and everything is well incorporated.
5. Now add your flour, on a low speed. Make sure not to over beat but that all the dry ingredients have meshed will with the wet ingredients.
6. On a clean workspace form the dough into a log.
7. Place the log onto a piece of cling wrap and sprinkle it generously with sanding sugar on all of the sides.
8. Wrap the dough and place it in the fridge for about 2 hours. So that it becomes more solid.
9. Preheat the oven to 350
10. Line your baking sheets with parchment or reusable silicone baking sheets.
11. Using a knife slice the dough into small rounds, (these can also be made into shapes if you roll the dough out instead of making a log. Use a cookie cutter, sand and chill.)
12. Make sure the oven rack is in the middle.
13. place the cookies about 2 inches apart.
14. Bake until edges are light brown, about 16 minutes, turning the cookie sheet halfway through. (We like ours a little crispier on the edges, so we leave them until our desired brownness. The smaller you cut the cookie the faster it will bake, also the darker your pan, the faster it will brown). Make sure to keep an eye on your cookies.
15. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the pan and then transfer them to a wire rack.