Where do ideas come from? I like to think of myself as pretty creative. Sometimes I surprise myself with the ideas that I come up with but there's not really a rhyme or reason to it. The ideas, they come out of left field 99% of the time. Guaranteed to give me an inspiration block is pressure or some sort of guideline. I just don't seem to be able to get the juices flowing if there's any sort of constraint.
Coming up with a cocktail-inspired sweet treat was one of those things that shut down my brain. Try as I might I just couldn't come up with an idea. But, last week I accidentally stole a bag of passionfruit from mum (yes it was an accident not an 'accident') and when I rang to tell her she said I could keep them on the condition that I made her a loaf of her favourite passionfruit banana bread.
I kept my end of the bargain but still had 5 passionfruit left over and a hankering for passionfruit biscuits so to the recipe books I went. Extricating the passionfruits from the crisper I spotted a bag of limes and then my brain started ticking. 'Ooh passionfruit and lime make a delicious cocktail (it was girls night the next day so I was already dreaming of cocktails), wait a minute... do they make a delicious cocktail cookies I could enter in the Sweet Adventures Blog Hop?'
Yes, yes they do! The passionfruit and lime cocktail cookies crumble with the lightest of bites and the crumb will almost dissolve on your tongue. If it weren't for the spots of crunchy passionfruit seeds you could almost get away with not having to chew. The icing adds a little bitter sweetness with a spot of white rum to really bring the cocktail together. It's not over-powering at all (there's only a little in there) but there's enough to give just a little bit of a tang that would make unsuspecting recipients wonder what your secret ingredient is. Of course you can't have a cocktail without a little bit of fruit and a fancy straw so I topped them off with a slither of lime and a cocktail straw.
The creativity didn't stop there. As my brain ticked, trying to think of a suitably cocktail-like backdrop my bright green dress sprung to mind. I wore it to ring in the New Year so if it doesn't scream cocktail I don't know what does. I also thought I'd show you a little peek at my photo set up. Oh the glory of cropping. Yes my dress is stuck to my bar freezer with a bottle opener magnet and yes it is hanging off a wine bottle in our drinks bucket. What can I say, I'm a classy lady. Oh that and I'm carrying through with the cocktail theme right?
I think these would be a fun way to end a girly cocktail party or even a bridal shower or hens party. If you've not got an excuse to make them any time soon, they're almost as good with just a simple dusting of icing sugar but I do encourage you go the extra mile (yes you're allowed to leave out the Bacardi if you must). Enjoy!
What about you? Are you good at coming up with ideas under pressure?
Don't forget to check out the other cocktail creations in this month's Sweet Adventures Blog Hop hosted by the lovely JJ over at 84th & 3rd.
Recipe
Ingredients
Biscuits
- 90 g icing sugar
- 185 g butter
- 2 passionfruit
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 cup cornflour
- 1 ¼ cups self-raising flour
Icing
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1 passionfruit
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon Bacardi white rum
- Lime & straws to decorate
Instructions
Biscuits
- Pre-heat the oven to 175C fan-forced and line two baking trays with baking paper.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy.
- Add the passionfruit pulp and lime zest and beat them through.
- Add the flour and corn flour and mix until everything comes together in a dough.
- Use 2 teaspoons of dough at a time and roll the dough into balls.
- Place them on the baking tray, leaving 5cm between each one and press them down gently.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until they start to turn golden.
- Leave on the trays for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Icing
- Beat the butter for a minute then add the icing sugar and beat through.
- Add the passionfruit and lime and beat them through then add the Bacardi.
- Beat until the icing is smooth. If it's too thick add a little water or if it's too thin add a little more icing sugar.
- Spread the icing on the cooled cookies and add a little wedge of lemon and a little straw.
Chris says
They look really gorgeous, everything comes together perfectly with 'straw' and decoration. A shame only, that it has been quite a while ago I had passionfruits in my hand, haven't seen any lately at any shops.
Claire says
Thanks Chris. That's no good that you haven't seen passionfruit for a while. I hope you see them soon!
CateyLou says
These are so cute! And I LOVE your behind the scenes photo. I'm just starting out with blogging, so I love getting new ideas for how to photograph! Thanks for sharing
Claire says
If you ever have any questions Catey just shoot me an email!
Nic@diningwithastud says
Lol love the behind the scenes. Ahh the things we do for the perfect shot ;) these bikkies look soooo good! Love the straws ;)
Claire says
I think I'll have to start taking photos of all the shoots and do a post on them Nic because there are some pretty funny set ups. Would also be quite entertaining to see photos of myself in contorted positions trying to get the right angle!
Monica says
This is too cute for words and I can't say I've ever come across a cocktail themed cookie before :)
Claire says
Thanks Monica!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
You beauty. I don't care where your inspiration comes from if you show up with a plate of these. :)
Claire says
Thanks Maureen!
Li @ Words and Cake says
Total genius with the dress idea, I might just have to copy you on that! I love the sound of these cookies and the way you presented them, especially the mini straws.
Claire says
Feel free Li! Thank you.
Kris J says
You're so clever Claire! I love passionfruit and will be giving this recipe a go to take to a special someone this weekend...
Claire says
Thanks Kris! Let me know how you like them!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Very pretty! And yes I've used a dress more than once just to get just the right shade ;)
Claire says
I'll have to keep it in mind when I buy clothes from now on!
My Kitchen Stories says
Very clever Claire. I love your idea. They would definitely be perfect for a cocktail party to end the night
Claire says
Thanks Tania!
The Café Sucré Farine says
Yum, yum Claire - these sound wonderful and you were definitely creative when it was needed, love your set up. I was wondering about those pretty green folds ..... :)
Claire says
Thanks Chris!
Swah says
These look absolutely gorgeous and delicious! And such a good idea using a dress as a backdrop :)
Claire says
Thanks Swah! I was a little bit impressed with my creative genius!
Bec says
They look awesome, yum! Totally going to have a crack at making those. Thanks also for showing your photo set up, I love seeing this sort of how to stuff. BTW my daughters have that very dress in pink & purple. Its very pretty on.
Claire says
Thanks Bec! You're welcome. I love seeing it too, maybe I'll inspire others so show a little beyond their photo set ups. It's pretty isn't it?! I also have it in navy blue. So easy to wear!
JJ - 84thand3rd says
What a great combo for end of summer!! You are right, these would be perfect for a girlie get together. Love seeing other people's setups, and love showing them to RJ so he doesn't think I'm quite so crazy - although it generally doesn't help ;D Thanks for joining!
Claire says
I thought so! No he probably just thinks we're all crazy!
Kirsty @ The Natural Foodie says
Love your creative set-up! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one without a professional studio for food photography. These cookies do sound like little morsels of heaven, and they're dressed to impress too :)
Claire says
No Kirsty the last word I would use to describe my set up would be professional!
Sophie - thestickyandsweet says
Yummo! Reminds me of a similar cookie I had at a shop in NYC that only sold cookies and milkshakes - lots of them were spiked too. I love the creative use of bar fridge and dress as your back drop!
Claire says
Cookies and milkshakes? I must visit this place! Thanks Sophie!