Well the 2011 Holiday Season is rapidly coming to a close. Do you have your shopping done? Your cooking done? Ok. Almost done? I want to ask for your favorite party recipes for the coming New Year’s Celebrations. I look forward to hearing from you.
For this week, the last before Christmas, I want to share with you a couple of my favorite emergency recipes for the unexpected guest, the Aunt/Uncle that decided at the last minute they would be able to make it over after all. This first one is my favorite sugar cookie recipe. It cuts well with any shape cookie cutter and with your favorite frosting, candies and/or colored sugar for decoration, you could easily become the “Fun Family” while everyone helps decorate the cookies for themselves or for others.
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
4 cups sifted all purpose flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup sour cream
Directions: Cream butter, shortening with nutmeg, salt and vanilla; beat in sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix and sift together flour, soda and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream. Chill dough thoroughly. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with a 3 1/2 inch cookie cutter. Place cookies on lightly greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 8 – 10 minutes. This is a high temperature but it makes a soft cookie.
1 1/3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions: Layer the ingredients in a 1 quart jar in the order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding the next layer.
Include a card with the following instructions: Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Stir in the entire contents of the jar. You may need to use your hands to finish mixing. Shape into walnut sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. 3. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven. Transfer from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
Thank you for your comments and emails. I look forward to hearing from you with any favorite recipes or requests. We’ll talk more next week. You can reach me at susieqcooking@ainop.com or C/O Pioneer Times,P.O. Box 456, Houlton, Maine 04730.
