Mom’s Favorite Tea Cookies & Ham Brie Apple Paninis
It’s not that often that my mom asks me to cook HER something. But when she is in town and I ask her what she wants for lunch, this hot grilled ham, Brie, and apple sandwich is at the top of her list. I love making it for her. Crisp, buttery cookies are also one of our favorites to share. This is my SIL Catherine’s recipe for tea cookies and Mom loves it so much that on her last visit, I baked her a batch to pack and bring to her sisters in Texas. We love simple, delicious food and we love making it together. How will you celebrate your mama this weekend?Â

Mom’s Favorite Tea Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar, plus additional for pressing
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla, or use the scrapings of one vanilla bean for extra special cookies
- 2 1/2 cups plus 2 tbsp flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. In the bowl of a mixer, cream the butter, and sugar until combined. Add the egg, oil, and vanilla and beat again. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl and stir to form a dough. Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Put some granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. For each cookie, dip the bottom of a drinking glass into the sugar and then press it onto each dough ball to flatten into a 2-inch round. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden brown on the edges. These are meant to be a crisp cookie, so do not be afraid to get them nice and golden brown, rather than underbaking, which you might do with a chewy cookie.

Ham Brie Apple Paninis
Ingredients
Honey Mustard
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
Panini
- 8 slices whole grain bread
- 1/2 lb Black Forest ham
- 1 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
- 1 8- oz wheel Brie cheese, thinly sliced
- butter, for griddling
Shallot Vinaigrette
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
- spring greens or arugula, for serving
Instructions
- To make the honey mustard, simply combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir.
- Spread the outsides of the bread with softened butter and spread the inside surfaces with the honey mustard. Assemble sandwiches by layering the ham, apple, and Brie on 4 slices of bread, then top with the remaining slices of bread. Using a griddle or a Panini press, grill the sandwiches until they are golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Whisk the shallot, honey, vinegar, and oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then toss with spring greens or arugula.