December 2003 - Part 2
New Recipes:
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Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies in a Jar (jar mixes)
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Michelle's Favorite Peanut Butter Balls (formed, no-bake) recipe
request
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Chocolate Chip Pizza - 4 Recipes (misc.) recipe
request
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Pumpkin Cut-Out Cookies - 3 Recipes (rolled) recipe
request
-
Christmas Trees - (pressed, holiday)
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Magic Peanut Butter Middles (filled, formed) recipe
request
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Christmas Ornament Cookies (dropped or formed)
Featured Cookie Cookbook
Christmas Cookies Are for Giving
I was recently given the opportunity to personally review a
portion of this cookbook, Christmas Cookies Are for Giving, and it seems
lovely. It is a hardbound book with a wipe-clean cover, not paperback as
may be listed. And along with many wonderful cookie recipes, the authors
have included warming Christmas cookie stories!
Here is a recipe we've been given to sample...
Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies in a Jar
1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) salt
1/2 cup (125 ml) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (175 ml) dark brown sugar, firmly packed
2 cups (500 ml) quick cooking oatmeal
3/4 cup (175 ml) raisins
Sift together flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking soda and salt, then place in the bottom of a 1-quart (1l) glass mason jar. Tamp down the flour mixture so it is packed in firmly. Add the rest of the ingredients in the order given, making sure to pack down each layer firmly before adding the next. Screw the lid on the jar. Attach the following directions:
Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies
Note: Store this jar in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months before using.
Contents of this jar
3/4 cup (175 ml) butter or margarine, softened
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Empty the jar of cookie mix into a large mixing bowl, blend the mixture thoroughly. Stir in butter or margarine, egg, and vanilla. Mix until completely blended.
Shape into balls the size of walnuts. Place 2 inches (5 cm) apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Makes 36 cookies.
Recipe Reprinted with Permission
Christmas Cookies Are for Giving
Copyright 2003, Tyr Publishing
by Kristin Johnson and Mimi Cummins
Complete List of Our
Recommended Cookie Cookbooks
Michelle's Favorite Peanut Butter Balls (no-bake)
My mom used to make these peanut butter balls for me when I was growing up, and they were always a special treat. They are very rich, and so easy to make (with only 2 ingredients). Now I make them for my own children and they always want more!
Ingredients:
1-2 c. peanut butter
powdered sugar
powdered milk (optional)
Directions:
Take about 1-2 cups of peanut butter and mix together with enough powdered sugar (several cups) to
make a doughy ball that's formable. You can also add powdered milk (for a
healthier version), but we usually don't. Next, pinch off pieces of dough and
form into 1-inch balls, then roll around in some more powdered sugar to cover
completely. Place peanut butter balls in an airtight container, lined with
waxed paper or foil. Refrigerate until they're all gone, which will be in just a
couple of days!
(Our kids are on Christmas break right now and I think we'll
make some of these later today, yum!)
Submitted by: Michelle, editor
Chocolate Chip Pizza - 4 Recipes
Ingredients:
3 ounces Refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
12 ounces Semisweet chocolate chips
4 ounces Walnuts
1 can Chocolate frosting
Directions:
Preheat oven to 360 degrees. Grease pizza pan and press cookie dough evenly around the pan. Bake
for 12-13 min. Remove the pan from oven, distribute about 2/3 chocolate chips on the dough, return to the over for a
minute or so. Remove pan and spread melted chocolate evenly on the dough.
Let cookie pizza cool a bit. Warm the icing for easy spreading. Spread evenly on the top of the melted chocolate, leaving a boarder around the edge.
Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips and walnut pieces on top. Cool before cutting into small pieces.
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pizza - Recipe 2
Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
12 ounces chocolate chips
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 c. Heath candy bars, coarsely chopped
Directions:
Combine flour, soda and salt, set aside. Combine butter and sugars, mix together.
Beat in egg, vanilla, add flour mix. Stir in 1/2 package chocolate chips, spread on
lightly greased pan to within 1" of the edges. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-24 minutes,
or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and immediately add rest of chocolate chips on top. Drop peanut butter
by spoonfuls on top, let melt. Let stand 5 minutes or till shiny and soft, spread the
top crust, and add candy pieces on top.
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Chocolate Cookie Pizza - Recipe 3
Ingredients:
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
2 T. butter
3 T. milk
1 c. confectioners' sugar
Toppings:
1/2 c. pecan halves, or chopped pieces
1/2 c. M&M's® candy
1/4 c. flaked coconut
2 ounces white chocolate, melted (for drizzling on top)
Directions:
In a large bowl combine butter, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla, and egg until well combined. Stir in the flour and the baking soda. Pat dough onto an ungreased 12 inch pizza pan.
Bake at 350 degrees 13-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove pizza cookie from oven and
cool. Melt chocolate chips, remaining butter and milk over very low heat. Stir
to blend. Remove chocolate mixture from heat and stir in the confectioners sugar. Beat until
smooth, glossy and spreading consistency. If frosting is not glossy, stir in a few drops of hot water. Spread
frosting over top of cooled cookie and sprinkle with toppings. Press
toppings lightly into frosting. Drizzle with the melted white chocolate and
let set. Cut pizza cookie into small pieces or pizza sized wedges.
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Julie's Pizza Cookie - Recipe 4
Ingredients:
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. white sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. whipped cream
1/4 c. chopped walnuts
1/4 c. flaked coconut
1/2 c. M&M's® candy
Directions:
Mix together sugars, butter or margarine, vanilla and egg. Stir in flour and baking soda (dough will be stiff). Stir in chocolate chips.
Spread or pat dough onto ungreased 12-inch pizza pan or cookie sheet. Bake
at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown; let cool. Just before serving, spread cookie with whipped cream.
Sprinkle with nuts, coconut and M&M's®. Cut into wedges. Refrigerate any remaining cookie.
Pizza Recipes Submitted by: Julia Wood
Pumpkin Cut-Out Cookies - 3 Recipes
These crisp, tender buttery cut-out cookies can be decorated with colorful frosting to capture the spirit of the occasion.
Each recipes makes about 3 dozen cookies.
Cookie Ingredients:
1 c. (2 sticks) Land O Lakes Butter, softened
1 c. granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 T. pure vanilla extract
2-1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
Frosting:
4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. (1 stick) Land O Lakes Butter, softened
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3-4 T. milk
Green, yellow & red food colors
Decorations:
Chocolate chips, candy corn, fruit-shaped candy, etc
Directions:
In large bowl, combine 1 cup butter & egg; beat at med speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add 1
T. vanilla. Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Reduce speed to low. Add flour & baking powder; beat, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Divide dough into 3rds. Shape each 3rd into ball. Wrap in plastic wrap; flatten to 1/2". Refrigerate 2-3 hrs or until firm.
Heat oven to 400°F. On lightly floured surface, roll out dough, 1/3 at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8" thickness. Cut with 3" round cookie cutter. Place 1" apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 6-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool completely.
Frosting:
In small bowl, combine powdered sugar, 1/2 cup butter & 2 tsp. vanilla; beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, gradually adding enough milk for desired frosting consistency.
Place 1/2 cup frosting in small bowl. Add 4-5 drops green food color. Stir until well mixed. Tint remaining frosting with about 20 drops yellow & about 4 drops red food color to make orange frosting. Stir until well mixed. Frost cooled cookies with orange frosting. Use green frosting to make stem. Use assorted candies for eyes, nose & mouth.
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Pumpkin Cut-Out Cookies - Recipe 2
Ingredients:
3/4 c. (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 T. orange zest
1/2 c. solid pack 100% pure pumpkin puree
1 large egg yolk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2-1/4 c. all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. each: ground cinnamon, ground ginger & ground nutmeg
pinch of salt
Directions:
In medium bowl, cream butter, brown sugar & orange zest. Stir in pumpkin; add eggs & vanilla; mix well. Sift together flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg & salt; stir into pumpkin mixture. Chill dough
for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8" thickness. Cut into desired
shapes and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes. Decorate as desired with frosting & candy.
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Pumpkin Cut Out Cookies - Recipe 3
Ingredients:
1/2
c. shortening
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 c. 100% pure pumpkin puree (NOT pie filling)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 c. chopped, toasted pecans
2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. each: baking powder, baking soda & cinnamon
pinch salt
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. cardamom
Directions:
Mix ingredients together; chill dough; roll;
cut out into shapes desired and place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at
350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. If cookies are rolled thicker, they will be puffy cake-like cookies.
Pumpkin Recipes Submitted by: Linda
Christmas Trees (Press Cookies)
This is our family favorite cookie recipe. We make it as hearts at Valentine's day, and other shapes throughout the year.
Ingredients:
1 c. shortening
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
2 1/4 c. sifted flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. almond extract
Green food coloring
Preheat oven to 400 F. Put Christmas tree disk in cookie press. Cream shortening and sugar.
Add unbeaten egg, sifted dry ingredients, flavor and coloring. Mix well. Press
dough through cookie press onto ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate as desired. Bake in a 400 F oven for 10 - 12 minutes. Remove cookies from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
Makes approx. 6 dozen.
Submitted by: Connie Taylor - Bridgewater, VA
Magic Peanut Butter Middles
Ingredients:
1-1/2 c. all purpose flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1/4 c. peanut butter
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
Filling:
3/4 c. peanut butter
3/4 c. powdered sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa & baking soda.
In a large bowl, beat sugar, brown sugar, butter & 1/4 cup peanut butter until light & fluffy. Add vanilla &
egg, beat well. Stir in flour mixture until blended; set aside. In another small bowl, combine filling
ingredients and blend well. Roll filling into 30 - 1" balls.
With floured hands, shape about 1 T. of chocolate dough around each peanut butter ball, covering completely. Place 2" apart on un-greased cookie sheets. Flatten with bottom of glass dipped in sugar.
Bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes or until set & slightly cracked.
Submitted by: Linda
Christmas Ornament Cookies
Ingredients:
1 c. butter
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 1/4 c. old fashion rolled oats
1 c. milk chocolate chips
1 c. dried cranberries
1/2 c. Golden Raisins
Directions:
In large mixing bowl beat butter until creamy. Add sugars,
soda and powder. Beat until well mixed, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs and vanilla
and beat until all is combined. In separate bowl mix flour and oats. Start combining this to your creamed mixture.
When mixed, add raisins, cranberries and chocolate chips. Mix well.
Drop dough by spoonfuls or roll into a ball about 2 1/2 inch size on
ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375-degree oven for 10-12 minutes or till edges are golden.
Cool cookies on wire rack. Makes about 1 1/2 - 2 dozen.
Submitted by: Pam Lino
