5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe.
Gail Dosik is THE tough cookie behind One Tough Cookie, Inc., her New York City-based business specializing in customized and hand-decorated cookies, cakes and cupcakes. While each baked good speaks to each individual customer's personality and occasion, apparently cookies can say a lot more. According to Dosik:
Sending red roses to say ‘I love you’ to a certain someone? Well, that’s known as ‘floriography’, or the language of flowers. Popular in the Victorian era, flowers, and the way they were arranged, conveyed a message to those who received them. Be it passion or profit, gratitude or humility, a flower could say it all. Well, we can play the same game today, but with cookies. More unique than a cookie bouquet, more personal than jewelry, the gift of cookieography can be styled for any occasion and won’t soon be forgotten or tossed out.
Be warned: You may think twice about who gave you what type of Christmas cookie after reading.
Messages Various Cookies Send: Gail Dosik
1. Bad Break-up
"No recipe needed here, yet so satisfying to the one giving the gift. So simple to do, too. Any angry, jilted lover can put a tin of crushed dreams together in minutes.
Begin with your ex-‘s favorite cookie or cookies. Let them sit out, uncovered, for as long as you can stand looking at them, because stale cookies crumble better than fresh ones. Place cookies in a Ziploc bag and either bash them with mallet or stomp on them, reducing the goodies to pitiful crumbs. Arrange artfully in a decorative tin or box, and attach a beautiful ribbon."
2. Cougar Love
"She’s wise and wonderful in ways you’ve only begun to understand, and has presumably been around the world once, maybe even twice. So, how about wooing your cougar lady with a gingerbread cookie as spicy and exciting as she is. Mix exotic flavors from around the globe like Vietnamese cinnamon, Chinese ginger, freshly ground cloves or maybe even some five-spice powder. Sprinkle in a bit of Indian cardamom for a kick as unique as your relationship. Blending a deep dark molasses into the dough adds the right amount of rich, almost bitter kind of sweetness into this complex treat.
Don’t forget to roll the dough into balls, then toss in sugar so the there’s a snappy crackle when your teeth first encounter this cookie, leading the way to the soft, sweet center. Me-ow!"
3. Seal of Approval
"Throughout history, all important documents have been marked with a blob of candle wax impressed with an authoritative seal that guaranteed that document’s authenticity. That’s where we get the expression 'seal of approval.' Nowadays, we probably enter into even more binding agreements, so why not make our marks with the springerle cookie. A delicate little confection made from a simple dough of sugar, flour and eggs, flavored with anise or even lemon zest, the springerle has its mark made by having its dough pressed into a specially carved decorative mold or rolled with a decorated rolling-pin. Mediators take note for accelerating those binding arbitrations."
4. The girl you want to bring home to meet your mother
"How do you tell your mom that the girlfriend you’ve brought home for the holidays is 'the one'? With oatmeal cookies, of course. After all, what’s more wholesome than oatmeal? A whole grain that’s dedicated to keeping you fit, just like your girlfriend. And she’s fun, too, especially when you give your girlfriend AND your cookie some chocolate chips."
5. Frenemy
"Sun-Tzu ('The Art of War') was a wise general and military strategist credited with coining the phrase, 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.' He might have had an easier time keeping tabs on his ‘frenemies’ if he had only served them Melomakarona. This Greek cookie, made tasty with orange juice, cognac, nuts, cinnamon and cloves, are delicious enough on their own. Then, it packs a double dose of sweet by being soaked in a honey-syrup that even the strongest of foes can’t resist."
And because you should always give your best friend cookies, an added bonus:
6. BFF
"A classic chocolate chip cookie - because nothing is better at lifting your spirits than your bestie.
A cookie companion you grew up with, the recipe from the back of the chocolate chip packet satisfied and comforted you from kindergarten through college. There for you in good times, and in bad. Sure, now you’re grown-up and your palate has been educated. Your chocolate chip cookie is just as sophisticated, too, with the addition of sea salt, espresso, or even hazelnut butter. And, just like a best friend, it’s there in a moment’s notice for late night gab sessions that no one seems to outgrow."
Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down.
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Just made batches and batches of #5 during the holiday – my family's favorite!!
For some reason I'm not laughing.
I beg to differ as well, nothing like fresh baked cookies to raise your spirits, you should try it some time! I will definetly be looking for some Viatnamese cinnamon as I didn't know that existed! Thank you for the fun and informative article, just what it should be fun with a few hints and recipes thrown in!
@Rachael, Um...yes, they do. I plan on baking some this weekend.
Fun article. There's plenty of serious stuff all around – it's nice to take a mini-break and have some FUN. Geez, people. Lighten up! No need to take this article as gospel! #1 made me grin – who cares if the guy thinks you're a nut – YOU'RE BROKEN UP!
Thank you for your compliments. Even cookies can have a sense of humor, right?
...And for your best frenemy, the one you don't care to ever see again, make chocolate chip cookies with chocolate ex-lax instead of chocolate chips. They'll never know what ($)hit them!
I would definitely hit that, and for the record, COUGARS ROCK!
I went out with a lady years ago who was 11 years older than me, and it was freakin sublime! My own personal "Maggie May"...aaaaahhhhh!
I am all for a well written article, but this is a waste in my opinion. No one bakes cookies anymore anyways.
http://www.travelbyfork.com
This is one of the most inane articles I've ever read on CNN. I'm not above reading trash on TMZ or Perez Hilton, and I find this article more vapid than the crappiest of Perez.
Agreed.
Great article! The Melomakarona cookies sound delicious and I may attempt to bake some in the future.
Not sure if you will see this, but you did comment on an earlier post, so there may be hope! Totally off topic, but I really like lipstick you are wearing in the photo. Could you respond with the brand and color please?
Thank you and Happy New Year! :)
Thank you for your nice comments!
Make-up Forever's Lip Pencil No. 50 and their Extreme Shine Lip Gloss No. 8 are what I wear al the time.
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. Best wishes for a happy and "sweet" New Year! :)
Yeah, cause nothing will make your ex realize he made a mistake in dumping you like sending him a pretty tin of his favorite cookies, crushed. Geez. I wish women like this would quit making us all look bad.
Why does this woman who is clearly over 30 use words like 'besties.' Also, if you're involved in a bad breakup, do you really feel like baking cookies. This is such a dumb article. CNN – please raise your standards for articles.
Snickerdoodles for a new relationship! Sugar, cinnamon and the tang from the cream of tartar. My favorite cookies!
I found Americans eat too sweet and too salty comparing to some Europeans and Asians. Do Americans know they are being fattened by eating un-delicious things for all these years?
"Frenemies?" I tuned out at that point.
Anything crunched up with ashes and dirt will do. But for the "refined" I'd suggest that adding that last bit of stuff you wanted to put into the kitchen compost bin. Actually that sounds like a pretty good homemade dog biscuit. Wiener dogs (Oscar and Mya) you've got a treat coming!
Neither Sun Tzu, 孫子, nor Niccolò Machiavelli advised to "keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Didn't happen. I know that it may be tempting to want to cite someone more historical for a proposition from the Godfather but your quote is, in fact, from Mario Puzo & Francis Ford Coppola.
LOL – This is a very weird article.
this page somehow makes me want to drive over my own face with my own car
I could not have said it better.
Sorry. But that was dumb and a waste of time
i'm out have fun see ya'll in the morning
I liked the parrallels between the cookie meanings. #2 was such a funny idea- I must share with my friends who do go through a bad breakup! #6 was so cute- bestie the tried and true.
I find the title cougar to be offensive and demeaning to women. I'm 26, so not what is considered one- but I don't like the word for women in general. However, I'm certain Gail was trying to be complimentary to whomever would recieve a spicy cookie.
Also, the frenemy cookie idea- genious! A fun 5@5 to read.
Yeah, send your ex some crushed up cookies. That way, they can remember what a lunatic you were and how they are better off without you.
ouch!!!!!!!!!!
My thoughts exactly, Arthur.
exactly. How is being vindictive so satisfying for her?
Nothing says crazy nut better then revenge dishes served crushed and stale.
The go-to guide on cookieography! Should be printed and pasted on pantry cupboards everywhere. Love how Gail Dosik thinks as much as I love her artistry with cookies and cakes.
I like cookies.
mmmmm.....cougars....I mean cookies!
mmmmmmaaaaaahhhhhh ditto
On topic, I love these 5!! #1, perfect, #2 is well written and reminds me of a certain highness here, and #6 is classic. Hey wait a minutes this was 6@5!??
Well, I'm only 29 so I'm not quite in to cougar territory but the rest of it fits.
Yes, I wasn't referring to age, but this seemed fitting for a queen. "She’s wise and wonderful in ways you’ve only begun to understand, and has presumably been around the world once, maybe even twice."
Oh wait, that's me! :)
your not a cougar your still a kitty
It's the holidays. I was feeling generous.
Love it, and especially true for a BFF! Thanks, great article!
Oh. Moderated.
Apparently saying someone looked like Margaret Cho for a second is an offense around here. I'll chalk it up to the current "technical issues".
You deserve it YOU Bad Boy!
Playing nice today, eh? LOL Good job, a trifecta!
o.k. and?
She looks like a very pleasant lady.
However pleasant she may look–she has a mean streak to send an ex a tin full of smashed cookies, and she has a dishonest streak if she sends her enemies (or "frenemies) cookies at all. Psycho.