Tis The Season For Cookies!!

 

Please don't fall out of your chair.  I know you're probably in SHOCK that I'm actually posting, but over the past several months, I've been forced to focus on a few other things.  I haven't forgotten you and I hope you haven't forgotten me either. 

I baked Ginger Snaps tonight.  Actually, I've been baking cookies almost all week, but I keep getting requests for Ginger Snaps, so back to the kitchen I went.  I've used this recipe for many, MANY years.  When it was shared with me, there was no indication of where the recipe came from, but as I've researched, it's the same recipe  listed on Blue Ribbon Baking.  I always want to credit the proper person, so just in case the recipe I received is indeed from this site, all bases are covered.

 Ready to roll

Cookie sheets #2 & #3 awaiting their turn in the oven

Finished product

Ginger Snaps (Printable Version)

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed (light or dark)
1/4 cup molasses
1 large egg
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup sugar (for rolling)

*I always add a bit more of the spices and I don't chill the dough.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream shortening, brown sugar, molasses and egg in large bowl. In a separate bowl sift flour, baking soda, salt and spices. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, blending until mixed. Dough can be chilled for easy handling.

Shape the dough into balls the size of whole walnuts. Roll balls in sugar, place on baking sheet. Bake 8-9 minutes at 375 degrees. Cool on sheet one minute before transferring to rack.

Makes 3-4 dozen.

As you can see, this is a super easy recipe and these cookies are absolutely delicious!!  If you try them, I'd love to hear your feedback. 

Sheila Denise

Thursday Treasure - Cookie Love

This is one of those days where I'm not posting about what I had originally planned to talk about. I know I'm not the only one who falls into this mind-changing category, so don't give me that look. ;-)

Today's treasure popped up last night as I was preparing to fulfill a cookie request. My instructions were to make just any kind of cookie. Say what?? I mean, I received absolutely NO guidance...zero, el zippo, nada. So in traditional TSE fashion, I stood looking into the pantry waiting for something to fall into my hands to help me make a decision. Sadly, that didn't happen--I actually had to REACH into the pantry and this is what I pulled out.

The red chips are cherry flavored. I discovered these little red goodies in January while stalking the shelves at Super Target and thought I'd add them to pancakes for Briana, my four year old great niece or possibly use them for Valentines. A cookie never occurred to me, since I'm more of a Plain Jane cookie type. Well, I've officially changed my mind. Anywho, I thought the cherry chips would go well with white chocolate and pecans, so that's where I went with it. I must say, I am quite pleased with the outcome. Just the right balance of flavors. Since I'm not enamored with chocolate, I'm not a fan of the old school chocolate chip cookie and I wasn't sure if I'd actually like this one. Give me a simple shortbread, vanilla or lemon cookie and I'm a happy girl...until last night. This cookie is now on my Cookie-With-Stuff-In-It list. I'd like to introduce you to my friend. Her name is Cherry-White Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookie.

The recipe is super easy and you can find it here. If you've ever followed the Nestle Toll House Cookie recipe, it'll look extremely familiar, because it's the same thing. I simply used 1 cup each of the chips.

Now that I have a multi-faceted cookie to add to my list of favorites, I've decided to nominate it for the Thursday Treasure Award.

While I'm munching, I'd love to hear about your favorite cookie.

Sheila Denise

Thursday Treasure - It's All About Green

Today's post is more a tribute than a treasure and I'm excited to share a TSE first with y'all. I made my first attempt at decorating cookies with Royal Icing. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, but I'm definitely in the "need more practice" phase. Please note...decorating is being used in VERY loose terms here, but, I had to start somewhere. I'm fairly pleased with my first go at this project.

I also wanted to share a few goodies with you from one of my fave magazines, Bon Appetit. Follow the link and take a peek at all the deliciousness you can enjoy!!

Grilled Corned Beef Sandwich & Dark Chocolate Mint Cupcakes

Irish Cheddar & Stout Fondue

Blarney Cheese & Onion Tart


Lamb Shanks in Guinness with Country Vegetables


Irish Cream

Stout

If you're being a bit more healthy today, don't worry, I didn't forget about you. You can have as much of these as you desire:

What's on your Saint Patrick's Day menu??

Sheila Denise

Temptation Tuesday - Homemade Samoas

Good Morning!! This is the second Temptation Tuesday and this week I'm challenging you to be tempted by a recipe that you may feel is intimidating. That's right...dig out that recipe and DO IT! Tackle something that you think would be easier to purchase (many things are), but make it yourself. Nothing can equate to the sense of pride and accomplishment you'll feel when you add a new recipe to your stash.

Today's temptation came about as a request from a friend. They wanted me to make Samoas. I thought, like you're probably thinking, honey just go buy a box, but being the TERRIFIC friend that I am, I said okay. I went to my trusty favorite food porn/recipe site Foodgawker for inspiration and found several to choose from. There are a few steps to follow, but this is still a simple recipe. If you don't have Foodgawker bookmarked, please do so STAT! You'll love it.

Now back to putting the Girl Scouts outta business. Yeah right!! I buy them religiously, but don't particularly care for them, well except the Trefoils, but my friends love me for giving them as gifts. I've added homemade Trefoils to my to-do list too. What was I talking about?? Oh the Samoas...well, I'm not going to monopolize any more of your time. Just look at the photos, find a recipe to conquer and enjoy your day.

Happy Tuesday!

Sheila Denise

Ranger Cookies (courtesy of Rotnee Pooh)

I recently discovered the blog of a friend Rodney (affectionately called Rotnee Pooh by me and only me). While drooling over his photos and finding myself a bit nostalgic and giggly as I read his blog, I stumbled upon his entry "One Helluva Cookie" and I stopped breathing for about 10 seconds as I read the ingredients--all the things I love!! You can find the recipe here: Smiley Eats! I'm a complete sucker for a good cookie, among other things, so I wasn't going to be happy until I made them.

Well, here they are in all their glory. I even poured a glass of milk for the photo op. I don't actually drink milk--I use it as an ingredient for many things, but the cookies were begging for a partner.


I'm indeed a happy camper and I've only eaten one cookie. Thank you Rotnee Pooh. This one's a keeper!!


Sheila Denise