Where the days grow shorter

Today celebrates the fall equinox also known as the autumnal equinox and marks the point in the year when day and night are approximately equal in length. In the Northern Hemisphere, this event typically occurs between September 21 and September 24, but the exact date can vary each year due to the complexities of Earth’s orbit as not being perfect. The first day of fall is determined by this astronomical event.

FRANCESCA’S SUGAR STICKS

(From My Dearest Friend Francesca German)

6 EGG WHITES

1 CUP FLOUR – sifted

¾ CUP SUGAR – plus extra for second baking

2 TSPS VANILLA EXTRACT

1 CUP WALNUTS – whole

8 TBS BUTTER – unsalted, melted and cooled

Beat egg whites until stiff. Then add small amounts of sugar and vanilla alternately with four and butter. Beat in slowly until all used up. Add whole nuts. Line a cookie sheet with foil and pour batter in. Shaping the foil so that the batter is 1” deep. Bake at 350° for about 45 minutes until the top is browned. Remove from pan, foil and all. When cool, wrap in foil and freeze. When ready to use, remove from freezer and while still frozen slice very thin. Dip in granulated sugar and bake in single layer in 325° oven until golden brown. Start at 10 minutes and watch carefully as they burn easily. Sometimes I double the recipe and bake in large casserole dish. The results are a wider cookie. Whereas in the cookie sheet the cookie will only be about 1-inch or maybe 1 ½-inches.

Note: The best part about this recipe is it is easily doubled and baked in foil in a 10” X 13” pan. Before freezing, cut into smaller sections that you can take out only what you need. You now have a quick dessert in the freezer to finish in a hurry. This is a great way to use leftover egg whites. I always serve Francesca’s Sugar Sticks at a party and remember my Erie friend. She was a wonderful friend and a great and talented baker. She shared many recipes with me and this has always been the one I depend on.

BUON MANGIATA!