The July Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Nicole at Sweet Tooth. She chose Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies and Milan Cookies from pastry chef Gale Gand of the Food Network. I really enjoyed this months challenge. I unfortunately didn’t have time to do both cookies that were revealed for the challenge, so I decided just to settle on the Milan Cookies. Although the other cookies looked equally delicious. I have never been a big fan of Milano cookies so I wasn’t sure how I would feel about these. I was pleasantly surprised because I found them to be really delicious. I loved the orange in the chocolate, which I found odd because I never used to be a big fan of the chocolate orange combination. Which is classic I know, but just was never my “thing.” I was also worried about the large amounts of extract in the recipe but it turned out just fine. The biggest compliment I got about this cookie was my other half stating “you know what I like about this cookie over the one’s you buy in the store…these taste like a real cookies and the ones from the package taste like flavorless cardboard.” Oh man…I really love this man of mine. Enjoy!!!
Also don’t forget about this weeks BSI! Coffee 
Make sure all entries are sent to me by Sunday 8pm.
Milan Cookies:
12 T. butter – softened
2 1/2 C. powdered sugar
7 – 8 C. egg whites – about six eggs
2 T. vanilla extract
2 T. lemon extract
1 1/2 C. flour
Cookie filling:
1/2 C. heavy cream
8 oz. semisweet chocolate – chopped
1 orange – zested
Cream the butter with a paddle attachment then mix in the sugar. Add the egg whites gradually and then mix in the vanilla and lemon extracts. Add the flour and mix until just incorporated. With a small (1/4-inch) plain tip, pipe 1-inch sections of batter onto a parchment-lined sheet pan, spacing them 2 inches apart as they spread. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let cool on the pan.
Cookie Filling:
In a small saucepan over medium flame, scald cream. Pour hot cream over chocolate in a bowl. Whisk to melt chocolate, add zest and blend well. Set aside to cool (the mixture will thicken as it cools). Spread a thin amount of the filling onto the flat side of a cookie while the filling is still soft and press the flat side of a second cookie on top. Repeat with the remainder of the cookies.
Makes about 3 dozen.
Source: Gale Gand Food Network
I am totally impressed, as I always am. Ben loves milan cookies!
I’m not big on orange and chocolate either, usually, but I liked these as well! Yours look yummy!
Oh dear. I would love to have several in my mouth right now, melting slowly into deliciousness…
These turned out great!! My Mom used to eat these all the time when I was a kid – I remember sneaking a few. I’m with your boyfriend on this one. Home-made has to be 100 x better!
My children love milanos. They are quite pricey in the supermarket, I should try these!
Your milanos turned out beautifully – glad you liked the recipe! I’m still contemplating what to make for the BSI – so many ideas, so little time
These milanos look wonderful! Great job!
I get the feeling I would like these much better than their storebought counterparts… Hopefully I can get to them soon since I only did the other cookie in the challenge. Yours look delicious!
And do try the pad thai at home. It’s totally worth the work!
These look wonderful, can I tell you how good your last recipe looks too, I have to try it, I am a sucker for sweets..
Yea, I wanted to take the penguin home. My new joke is to flap my arms wildly at Ben to express my love.
I have seen many around the blogosphere but yours is especially refreshing with the subtle hints of the citrus!
I like how you dipped a corner in chocolate! Sounds like your other half knows how to sweet talk the cook!
These look fantastic. I used to pick up milans at the store every once in awhile but I haven’t in years. I think I will just try your recipe instead
Oh!! These look so good! I’m so used to picking them up in the store…never thought I could make them myself! Yours look sooo tasty!
this is just beyond impressive!!