Sunday, January 6, 2013

Three Cookie Exchange Options!

As I prepared for a few cookie exchanges this year, I asked my Mom (known as Betty or Betty Ann to many of you) for her most popular cookie recipes.  She was a crazy cookie baker back in the day - making hundreds of cookies of several varieties each holiday season.  She was famous (infamous?) for handing out trays of Christmas cookies each year to all of my Dad's coworkers and their friends.  So I figured she'd be a good resource for some recipes to try for my cookie exchanges this year.  All of these turned out great and I thought I'd share these cookie recipes with you.  ENJOY!

CRISP PASTEL COOKIES (the "pink squashed cookies")
3/4 c shortening (part margarine and part butter, softened)
1/2 c sugar
1 package 3oz size fruit flavored Jello
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (if using self-rising flour, omit baking powder and salt)
1 t baking powder
1 t salt

Heat oven to 400 degrees, Mix shortening, sugar, Jello, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients.  Shape dough into 1 in balls.  Place about 3 in apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Flatten with bottom of glass dipped in sugar.  You can use colored sugar.  Bake 6 to 8 minutes.
Makes about 4 dozen.

FESTIVE CHRISTMAS COOKIES (the lumpy white cookies covered in powdered sugar)
3/4 c shortening at room temperature
1/4 c butter
1t salt
1/2 c confectioner's sugar
2t vanilla
2 c sifted flour (if not presifted already)
1c chopped pecans

Mix ingredients thoroughly.  I start using the mixer, but when the dough gets too tough, I take the bowl out of the mixer and mix the rest with my hands.  the heat from the hands helps to soften the shortening even more to make the dough more pliable.  Shape into balls. Press down an indention in the middle of the cookie.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 325 degrees for about 15 minutes.   When partially cooled, roll in more confectioner's sugar. I like to press a little more into the indentation, makes a sweeter cookie.  NOTE...I usually double the recipe as these tasty little morsels go fast and freeze up well.


OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (not REALLY cookies but still pretty awesome)
1 1/2 boxes of confecctioner's sugar (6c)
2 sticks butter
2c creamy peanut butter
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1/4 c parafin bar

Cream and mix the first three ingredients.  I start my using the mixer and when the dough becomes too stiff, I usually mix it by hand to make sure all the sugar in incorporated.  Roll into buckeye sized balls (approximately the same as walnut-sized).  I use a wax paper lined set of cookie sheets to place the balls on.  Chill in fridge.  In the meantime make the dip.  In a double boiler, melt the chocolate morsels with the parafin ((2" x 2" size) ,  Using a toothpick stuck into the cooled buckeye ball, dip into the chocolate.  Coat about 1/2 to 3/4.  Drop back onto the cookie sheet.  Don't touch to any other ball, keep them all separate.  You might have to use other cookie sheets or flat serving plates to make sure they don't touch.  Cool, then pack in containers gently and refrigerate.  When dipping I usually leave the cookie sheets in the fridge and take a small plate to bring out only a few balls at a time, like maybe 10 to 15.  Then dip them and place on a waxed paper covered plate next to the stove.  That way, the balls stay chilled enough to coat properly.  It isn't that hard to make, just takes more cookie sheets and plates than usual.  But they clean up fast.  Getting organized with everything ready to go helps and making sure there is room in the fridge to slide in the balls to chill before dipping.  I can't remember how many that makes, but I know when I was giving them to friends or packing them in with cookie presents, I made 2 or 3 batches during the season.

~posted by Kelly Simer (Spencer)

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