"As You Wish . . ."

All You Need Is Love by The Beatles
I wish I could offer a link for you to download this song but couldn't seem to find one.  I'm sure you could find it in iTunes, though!  No music library would be complete without it.  It's simple.  Some say too simple.  We all get it.  Yes, there are more complex emotions and character traits that go towards making the world a better place like virtue, dignity, integrity, honesty, etc.  But it fundamentally begins with a compassion, a desire, a concern, a LOVE of something or someone to set the others in motion.  It makes me happy that we have at least one day a year set aside to celebrate love.  Here's a little game for you - go to your iTunes library, highlight the "Name" category, then put "love" in your search box.  How many songs do you have where love is featured?  I have over 400.  It'll take me more than a day to listen to them all, back to back, without stops.  Sounds good to me!  At least I'll have some delicious cookies to tide me along the way!

I recently had the opportunity to share the meaning of the phrase, "As you wish . . ." with a younger sister.  She had asked me if I could do something for her and I responded, "As you wish!"  She was perplexed at such a reply.  Was I being sarcastic?  Was I suggesting she was being demanding?  I couldn't believe she wasn't as proficient as I in the language of The Princess Bride - one of the best movies EVER made!!!  I was thrilled to be able to share this clip with her to explain my reply.  It made for a tender moment when she realized I was actually telling her I loved her - or more appropriately - that I would love to help her.  It's all the same.  

Helping each other with a loving heart ~  I had a reminder lately at how important that can be and the profound message it sends to the receiver.  We all know how much we appreciate being the recipient of such pure love.  Often I think we are a little embarrassed to let ourselves show such genuine concern - like we'll be laughed at.  Or taken advantage of.  It's a curious situation in which we find ourselves in a day when such basic emotions are needed most of all.  

I suggest an "As You Wish Day."  We can choose one day a month - actually write it in our calendars - and concentrate on saying "As you wish" to as many people as you can that day - and following through with pure intent.  After awhile we can choose two days, etc.  Hopefully it'll help us find our way to showing our love in the best way possible - through helping each other with pure intent.  

Sharing these cookies is a great way to start!  I married a couple of recipes and came up with this Chocolate Sugar Cookie recipe that is heaven!  I've given it a little special twist for Valentine's Day by adding cardamom and orange extract.  I've tweaked the frosting and icing as well - cardamom in the buttercream and orange extract in the icing.  Why celebrate such a special day with ordinary flavors?  I adore the flecks of the cardamom among the pink of the buttercream.  Spice things up! 

You can use all sorts of sizes to make a beautiful display of cookies!

You want the recipe?  As you wish . . . .

Chocolate Sugar Cookie
Printable Recipe Card
2 3/4 c. (355 g) all-purpose flour
3/4 c. (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 t. kosher salt
1 t. baking powder

1 c. butter (227 g), softened

1 3/4 c. (350 g) granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 t. cardamom (optional)

2 t. vanilla extract (I used orange in this batch)

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and cardamom, if using, until well combined.  Set aside.

In a mixer bowl, thoroughly cream together the butter and the sugar until light in color and fluffy.  Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure one is incorporated before adding the next.  Add the extract and mix to combine.

Add the dry ingredients all at once and mix until incorporated.  

Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for at least an hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Make a mixture of 1/2 c. flour and 2 T. of cocoa powder and stir well.  Use this to dust your surface when cutting out the cookies.

Dust the working surface with the flour/cocoa mixture and roll out your dough, working with half the dough at a time.  Roll to a 1/4" thickness.  Cut out your desired shapes and place each cookie on baking sheet.  For larger cookies, bake for 4 minutes, turn the pan, and bake for another 4 minutes.  Decrease the time for smaller cut-outs.

When cool, decorate with your favorite frosting and/or icing!