He's At It Again . . .

After spending much of Saturday in the kitchen making candy ... we spent MOST of Sunday in the kitchen making COOKIES.  I'm not complaining mind you ... it's a team effort to get the baking done before our party!  Mark is great at doing all the MIXING ... then I do the CLEAN UP and actual BAKING.  OH ... and he's the TASTE TESTER also!!!  LOL

 We made FOUR different kinds of cookies ... and if you want any of the recipes, just leave me a comment ... I'd be glad to share that information with you!! *EDIT*  I've had a request for the recipes so I have added them under the appropriate photos.

First were the CHOCOLATE CRINKLES . . .

 

Recipe:

1/4 cup butter

2 tsp. baking powder

4 - 1 oz squares unsweetened chocolate

1/2 tsp. salt

2 - cups flour

2 - cups sugar

4 - eggs

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

confectioners sugar

In a small saucepan, melt chocolate and butter ... let cool.

In large bowl combine chocolate mixture, 1 cup flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder and salt.  Beat at medium until well mixed.  Stir in remaining flour and nuts.  Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Shape 1 tsp. size mix into 1" balls, roll in confectioners sugar.  Put 2" apart on greased cookie sheet and bake 12 to 15 minutes.  ( I found 13 1/2 minutes is perfect.)

Yied:  4 dozen

Then the OATMEAL w/CHERRY CRAISINS & NUTS . . .

The recipe for these Oatmeal cookies can be found on the inside of the lid of a canister of Quaker Quick 1-Minute Oats.  That's the recipe we used and added 3/4 cup of Cherry flavored Craisins and 3/4 cup chopped walnuts.

Then of course you have to have SUGAR COOKIES . . .

This is a wonderful tasting recipe from my daughter's friend, Beth Bayda

Recipe:

SUGAR COOKIES:

4 cups flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening
2 beaten eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Sift together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda & salt.  
Cream sugar & shortening ... add eggs, milk, vanilla & almond.

Gradually add dry ingredients to shortening & egg mixture until well mixed.

Form into balls and roll out between sheets of waxed paper ... cut out your cookie cutter forms.  Bake at 350 degrees until very light brown ... about 7 minutes.  Seal and keep in cool place.

FROSTING:
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 egg white (optional)
2/3 c. shortening
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tblsp. water
1 tsp. almond extract

Combine all ingredients and beat for 5 minutes.  Can divide into small bowls and add drops of food coloring of your choice.

We also made CHOCOLATE CHIP w/NUTS ...

but I didn't bother taking a photo ... you all know what they look like and it's the recipe off the back of the Nestle' bag ...

When we were all done & cleaned up, I decided to put together a plate of goodies to take to the little girls next door.  Of course, it was raining and they weren't home but I'll be sure to get it to them when they get home from school today ... perfect for an after school treat!  Now I can also add a couple of the cute sugar cookies ... the icing wasn't set up when I put this plate together.

Hope you're having a FABULOUS DAY no matter what you might be trying to accomplish!  As for me ... NOW I need to get to that cleaning & decorating I've been talking about for 2 days!  LOL!  Have a good one!!

Hugs,

Darlene