Seven years ago when I started this “blob”, as my mother calls it, I was only thinking of keeping a journal of my new life in France. Never did I envision all the wonderful friendships, conversations and meet-ups with readers along the way that would enrich my French life. Never did I imagine that so many loyal readers would plump up this blob with their advice, wisdom, recipes, and enthusiasm along the way.
I think of this as I write my Christmas post, how I would love to give a little Christmas gift to all of you. All I can offer is this: a life-changing recipe. Well, not quite that, but as recipes go, this one is pretty amazing. You can take it to a potluck, or as a hostess gift, or put it in your Christmas repertoire, or just whip it out for a week-night dinner. I can virtually guarantee rave reviews. But the really special thing about this recipe is…well, let’s start at the beginning of our story.
Our lovely French friends Henri and André live in Lyon but visit often, and Henri, besides being a Colorful Character, is an accomplished cook. (You may remember his antics and cooking abilities from prior posts, like this one.) A few months ago we went over to Nicole’s house for dinner and they were there. Henri met me at the door, bursting with enthusiasm, and bustled me into the kitchen before I even got a bisous on each cheek. “On fait les petits gâteaux minute," he said excitedly." Pour le blog!" (We're making 'quick' cookies, for the blog!).
"Trois ingredients!", said Henri triumphantly. He flashed a thumb and two fingers, in the French manner. "Trois!" Henri positioned me at the island, and began tearing open packages of sliced almonds. These he dumped into a bowl. He added a beaten egg and some sugar. Et voila! He spooned them out on a cookie sheet, and 12 minutes later we were sampling cookies.
These cookies are downright addictive. AND you can whip them out in three minutes AND they are mostly almonds so they are healthy AND you can adjust the sugar to your liking. AND—they’re French! What more can you ask of a cookie? I’ve taken these to a couple of parties and I’ve now learned to print out a few recipe cards to hand out, because everyone wants to make them.
So get on into that kitchen and start your holiday baking—your first batch of cookies will be well on their way before the first song on your Christmas playlist has ended. Better yet, drag a kid or a reluctant cook into the kitchen with you, and they’ll soon be preening over their success.
I wish all of you the very merriest of Christmases, or whatever wonderful holiday you are celebrating this season!
RECIPE: Henri’s Petits Gâteaux Minute
12 oz (400 gr) of sliced almonds
1/2 cup (100 gr) of sugar
1 beaten egg, large
Heat oven to 370 (180C). Dump everything in to a bowl. Mix until well combined. Drop by the tablespoonful onto a cookie sheet, maybe lined with parchment paper to keep it easy (I use a Silpat, a silicone liner). Bake 10 to 12 minutes until they just start to turn golden brown around the edges. Cool and eat. Makes 2 dozen-ish.
Dreaming of a White Christmas? It doesn't often snow in Burgundy, but one year we got lucky on Christmas day. This is me in our village, Christmas 2009, gearing up to make a snowman.
In the COMMENTS: Lots of chatting about that fabulous colombier last week! Vicky, Anthea, and Natalia all have their own pigeon stories. Peter, Harry Potter is a perfect description. Natalia, we have requests for your recipe for sweet potatos with maple syrup and marscapone, will you share? Michaela, I wouldn't mind making that "flat" pear and cranberry pie, either.
Favorite Reads: Two very different books this week. Edwin Morris is a physician and philosophy professor who has written a book called Discovering Meaning in Your Life
25 thoughts on “A French Christmas Gift for You”
Oh what a fun simple, just what I needed this time of year, cookie recipe. Mille merci’s Lynn and for another year of lovely and inspiring blobs! Loved your mom’s term..though of course your blog posts are always such fun, beautifully put together and informative. Joyeux Noel. Peace,joy and wonderful new adventures are wished for you both in the new year ahead.
Good morning Lynn, What a terrific gift. Thanks so much! AND they are gluten free, which is important for my daughter. I’ve been making almond macaroons for the past two years, which contain almond flour, sugar and egg whites, but your recipe looks to be much easier and faster to put together. I will make them and think of you. Also, I love the photo from 2009. That was our first winter after moving here permanently. We’re at the top of our village and were blocked in for about five days. It was a winter wonderland, especially for a Florida girl, such as myself! Merry Christmas and all my best wishes for the New year. And thanks for the blob. We all enjoy it! Rainey
Thank you, Lynn, for this gift of a simple cookie recipe. I look back in wonder at the amount of baking I used to do over the holidays. Now that I’m retired I find I no longer “have the time” nor the inclination for all that baking! 😉 Merry Christmas!
Lynn, Merry Christmas!! Thank you for this cookie recipe. I can’t wait to make them! I have been searching for ultra simple cookie recipes as alternatives this year. I am struggling to be in the holiday spirit having lost my dad in mid October. My heart is just not in my traditional baking mood. So, thank you so much for the timing. Thank you to Henri and Andre as well! Additionally, I too, have very much enjoyed the first two seasons of the Durrell’s in Corfu. I will check out the book since you highly recommended it. Hugs from out west in Arizona!! 🙂
Looking forward to trying these easy peasy cookies! Thanks for the recipe.
Also, I too find ‘The Durrells in Corfu’ to be a magical series!
Hope to see you soon. ❤️
Henri’s cookie recipe is the perfect gift for the reluctant chef.
Thank you, and Happy Holly-DAZE from Manhattan Beach, CA!
Thank you for a great gift! Even I can do this! I will give them to all the neighbors this year. I wish I’d been there to watch Henri’s twinkling eyes as he made these for you! Loved the Burgundy snow pic. All in all I miss France. Guess it’s time to think about a Christmas there. I hope you have a lovely holiday time and we wish you both a very Merry Christmas! Happy Blogging in 2018 and Happy New Year!
These sound delicious and yummy and oh so easy! Will try them: thank you!
And yes, I loved the Durrell series. I’m still puzzling over how they pronounce the name: I even asked several Brits who had never heard it pronounced that way. Hmmmm. But yes, I was going to start reading the trilogy. Merry Christmas, white or not…..
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! This may be my best Christmas present this year! I do so enjoy reading your blob every week. My husband & I love France, and you make it come alive for us.
Merry Christmas!
Mary Anne in Austin, Texas
Lynn, I actually make those cookies all the time! They are my stand-by when I’m just too rushed or tired to make anything else that satisfied the sweet tooth. I think the chef, Dori Greenspan, has that recipe in one of her cookbooks.
On another note, I must get that book of Discovering Meaning in Your Life because Lynn, I’m still trying to discover it. I was a mixture of being furious, angry & sad yesterday. So much so that I thought I was going to explode. I’m usually so mild mannered but I’m struggling still this morning. My Christmas spirit was there but the rug was pulled out from under me. Thank you for the recommendation. Merry Christmas Lynn and thank you for your “blob” to help brighten my day.
What a marvelous recipe, thank you. Yes, the Durrell’s in Corfu was very entertaining, I loved the characters and setting so now I will read the trilogy thanks to your review. Merry Christmas.
Bonjour Cherie, What a superbly easy cookie recipe AND just in time for this old guy to meander into that foreign land called the cuisine and try out these beauties! The end of another wonderful year of blogs – Mille Merci! Gros bises et bonne chance avec votre voyage de bateau, M
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Lynn! I look forward to all the interesting and heart warming stories you provide us throughout the year. Thank you for making these delicious treats for us during our visit. I will be making them for a party this weekend!
I used to live in Jersey City NJ literally across from the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. One of my favorite French restaurants is Marseille at W. 44th & 9th. They have made these cookies and because I came to know the Maitre d’, I was able to get the recipe.They are indeed awesome and delicious. Thank you, Lynn, for sharing this and your tales of life in France. Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year. (And, if luck has it, I will be selling my business and moving to France next Fall.)
I forgot to share my poem, Le Pigeon, but I will share for the 12 days of Christmas. LOL.
Merci beaucoup for this easy and sure to be delicious cookie recipe! These I will make! And take to my next potluck.
Joyeux Noel!!! And…we may have a white Christmas in KY.
JUST MADE THE COOKIES. PERFECT and thank you so, so much. All the Italians here (we are in Rome) will fall off their chairs!!!
Suzanne Dunaway
Lynn,thank you for the wonderful gift of Henri’s cookies!YUM!
These will be a delight throughout the year,and each time bring the best kind of smiles!
Most of all dear Lynn, THANK YOU for gift of your blog(blob!)–especially sharing in your life,your pictures,your recipes,and your friends(whom we feel like we know!).Always something happy to look forward to.
I am so pleased to share the recipe for sweet potatoes with marscapone and maple syrup!
Will email you with it.
Very Joyeux Noel to you and your family,and of course,a tous
Lynn, you are full of great ideas. My cooking skills tend toward the savoury and I usually have little interest in dessert–except when in France where dessert takes on a whole new dimension. These cookies, however, take the cake. And given the season, it’s the perfect thing to wrap in a little sack and leave on colleagues’ desks or at neighbors’ doors. Parfait. Ou en effet, brillant!
Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Chris
Dear Monty…
I shall be trying these cookies too! Want to share them, over a cup of coffee?
Missing you and Ali…. Merry Christmas!
My Family and Other Animals was required reading at school for those of a certain age in UK.
The biscuits look great. Will make some of those.
Happy Christmas to Everyone.
Jane Williamson
Trivy.
Merci beaucoup Lynn for all your great blogs – always interesting and I particularly appreciate the book recommendations. Hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas & a Happy, Healthy New Year 2018.
These cookies are amazing! Love them.
But, what’s the best way to store them or pack them to give as gifts? I don’t want them to get soft and soggy.
Joyeux Noël…Merci pour le recette. And merci for your blog all year long
☃️
I love “The Durrells in Corfu!” The show does make you want to run away for a new experience in life. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
I made these delicious sounding cookies straight away but unfortunately I wasn’t sure what 370 on the oven was for an American oven. I started with 350 and 12 minutes wasn’t enough time so continued to 15 minutes. They stayed a pale color. Next batch I turned the oven to 400 and found they browned in about 9 – 10 minutes. My recipe only made 14 cookies and not 2 dozen. I’ll have to try and figure it out some more unless you have some ideas. Thanks for all the fun experiences we your reader get to live through you. Lucy in Oregon