The Tree of Life is a powerful symbol that has deep cultural and religious significance in various traditions and beliefs around the world. It represents the interconnectedness of all living things and the divine source of life and wisdom. The magical symbolism of the Tree of Life is found in ancient mythologies and spiritual teachings, including the Kabbalah, Celtic folklore, and Norse mythology. In the Kabbalah, the Tree of Life is a map of creation and a pathway to spiritual enlightenment. It consists of ten interconnected spheres, known as Sephirot, which represent different aspects of the divine and human consciousness. Each sphere corresponds to a specific energy or attribute, such as wisdom, love, and strength.
magic kiss middles
This is kind of a crossover between two cookie classics—Keebler’s Magic Middles and Hershey’s Secret Kiss cookies.
I’ve never actually eaten a store-bought Magic Middle, but last summer I tried out Stella Park’s copycat recipe in her phenomenal cookbook BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts. The flavor was perfection, and the magic of finding chocolate on the inside of what looks like a plain sugar cookie was real. My only holdback was the recipe required a bit more technique…work…than I want in a fairly straight-forward cookie.
The Keebler Fudge Magic Middle was a shortbread cookie with a soft chocolate center. Was because, from what I gather, the line of chocolate and peanut butter Middles was discontinued nearly a decade ago.
The Hershey’s Secret Kiss cookie is a pecan shortbread cookie dough rolled in powdered sugar and wrapped around a Hershey’s Kiss. It’s a Christmas cookie platter classic.
Magic “Kiss” Middles combine elements of the two: a soft buttery vanilla sugar cookie dough, rolled in sparkling granulated sugar with the surprise of a milk chocolate kiss inside.
It’s a pretty simple idea, simple to make, but oh so delicious.
Quick Note: I’ve tried several different sugar cookie recipes for the base until returning, again and again, to the most reliable and, quite frankly, delicious sugar cookie I’ve ever had: Bakedat350’s Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookie. They work perfectly as roll-out sugar cookies, and they work perfectly here. They are kind of legendary in the food blog world, and rightly so. If you haven’t made these sugar cookies before, do it now. I don’t think you’ll ever use another recipe again.
Each sphere corresponds to a specific energy or attribute, such as wisdom, love, and strength. The Tree of Life is seen as a tool for personal growth and self-realization, leading to a deeper understanding of the divine nature of existence. In Celtic folklore, the Tree of Life is associated with sacred groves and the Druidic tradition.
magic kiss middles
makes 4 dozen cookies
- 2 sticks (8 oz) cold salted butter, cubed
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 egg, straight from fridge
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 48 Hershey’s Kisses (about 10 oz bag)
- additional white sugar, for rolling
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together cold cubed butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until well combined. Scrape down bowl. Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined. In another bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Add to butter mixture and stir on low until just combined. The mixture will be quite crumbly, so you may want to remove bowl from stand and finish off kneading the dough together by hand.
- Unwrap Hershey’s kisses. Take about a tablespoon of dough in your hand, flatten slightly, place Kiss in center, and shape the dough around the Kiss until it’s wrapped completely. Roll ball in white sugar and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat. Repeat with remaining cookies. (I did two sheets at a time, 12 on each, so two total batches in the oven).
- Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until cookies look set and just begin to catch golden color around the bottom edges. Let rest on pan for a minute or two before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for several days.
Magic in the Middle Cookies
A chocolate peanut butter cup, in cookie form! These chewy chocolate peanut butter cookies (a dough made in one bowl, with just a whisk) are filled with a smooth, sweet & salty peanut butter filling.
4.78 from 9 votes Yield: 16 cookiesRecipe Overview I’m not sure who first invented the magic in the middle cookie; the earliest version of these I can find is by PJ Hamel & Susan Reid , but there’s also mention of it elsewhere as a clipping from an older magazine. My introduction to them was simultaneously from Deb and KA B (KAB’s is also a PJ Hamel recipe). Almost all the recipes you can find for these online are quite similar in terms of ingredients and quantities (save Deb’s which has more cocoa in the cookie); and they result in a soft but thick cookie, with a mix of powdered sugar and peanut butter inside (as you would when making homemade peanut butter cups).
How this magic in the middle cookie recipe is a little different than others
I love a peanut butter chocolate combo but the standard magic in the middle cookie as it’s been made so far has always left me a tad dissatisfied. Instead of thick and a bit cakey like, with a thick almost dry filling, I wanted a cookie base that was more fudgy and chewy, with a smooth almost melty middle. You may note that this chocolate monster cookie dough is very similar but instead uses all purpose flour and I’ve changed up the leavening a bit so they will have more power to spread against that peanut butter & chocolate dough.
It is seen as a bridge between the earthly realm and the Otherworld, where gods, spirits, and ancestors reside. The tree symbolizes the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, as its branches reach high into the sky while its roots delve deep into the earth. The Tree of Life is believed to grant protection, guidance, and wisdom to those who seek its connection with the spiritual realm. In Norse mythology, the Tree of Life, known as Yggdrasil, is an enormous ash tree that holds the cosmos together. Its roots extend into the realms of the gods, humans, and the dead, while its branches support the heavens. The tree serves as a symbol of the interconnectedness of all worlds and the flow of life energy throughout the universe. Yggdrasil is often depicted as a source of knowledge and wisdom, as Odin, the chief god, sacrificed himself by hanging from its branches in exchange for divine knowledge. Overall, the magical symbolism of the Tree of Life represents the unity, harmony, and interdependence of all living beings. It is a symbol of the divine life force that flows through everything, connecting us to each other and to the greater cosmic web of existence. By understanding and aligning ourselves with the energy of the Tree of Life, we can tap into its mystical qualities and experience a deeper connection to the spiritual dimensions of reality..
Reviews for "The Tree of Life in Celtic Mythology: Exploring the Connection between Nature and Spirituality"
1. John - 1 star
The magical symbolism of the tree of life" was a complete disappointment. I was expecting a deep exploration of the significance of the tree of life across different cultures and religions, but instead, the book was filled with vague and shallow interpretations. The author seemed to lack a clear understanding of the subject matter and failed to provide any compelling arguments or evidence to support their claims. Overall, I found the book to be a superficial and uninformative read.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The magical symbolism of the tree of life", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book lacked cohesion and structure, making it difficult to follow the author's thought process. Furthermore, many of the connections and interpretations presented in the book felt forced and unconvincing. I was left feeling confused and unsatisfied after reading it.
3. Mark - 1 star
"The magical symbolism of the tree of life" was a complete waste of time in my opinion. The book was filled with New Age mumbo jumbo and lacked any real depth or substance. The author seemed more interested in sounding profound than actually providing meaningful insights into the symbolism of the tree of life. I found myself rolling my eyes at the overly poetic language and unsubstantiated claims throughout the book. Overall, I would not recommend this to anyone looking for true understanding and analysis of the subject matter.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I found "The magical symbolism of the tree of life" to be a rather underwhelming read. While the concept of exploring the symbolic meaning of the tree of life was intriguing, the book failed to deliver a comprehensive analysis. The author jumped around from one idea to another without providing enough context or explanation, leaving me feeling confused and disconnected. The lack of clear structure made it difficult to follow the author's arguments and draw any meaningful conclusions. Overall, I was left disappointed by this book.