Thursday, December 31, 2009

Ringing in the New Year

Another year has come and gone again. It also seems unreal that Christmas is over and done. I baked dozens upon dozens of cookies this year. I had two people who paid me to make cookies for them, which I was more than happy to do, but let me tell you it was a lot of work. I am not as young and energetic as I used to be.

I will be starting to craft again in earnest and will be listing some new things on Etsy in the next week or so. Please be sure to come on over and visit all of the talented crafters over there. I will be listing some of my patterns for sale in the coming weeks too!

Happy New Year!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Photobucket


Hurry and run on over to a fabulous giveaway!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Another cookie recipe!

In the spirit of baking I am posting another cookie recipe handed down from my grandmother. I have no idea how old this recipe is but it is a keeper for sure :) Enjoy!

Grandma’s Coconut Cookies


½ C Butter
½ C Shortening
1 C brown sugar
1 C white sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ C coconut
1 ½ C oatmeal
1 ¾ C flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. soda
1 t. vanilla

Mix shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Add coconut, oatmeal, and flour, mix well. Add baking powder and soda. Mix well and drop by spoonfuls onto un-greased (preferably parchment paper lined) baking pans.

Bake at 350 degrees until cookies just barely begin to brown. Let cookies rest about 3-5 minutes before removing.

Note: This is a cherished family recipe of my grandmother’s. These cookies can be tricky to make, they are supposed to be a chewy cookie, but sometimes they don’t turn out that way, every time I make them they are different, but are delicious. If the dough seems to be too sticky, add a little more oatmeal rather than flour!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

December is in full swing.......

Sorry for the length of passing time since my last post. I am keeping myself very busy trying to get all the crafting done that I can before I stop and begin my Christmas baking. I am an absolute nut for baking cookies and making treats for family and friends at this time of year. I have created a monster of sorts because I now have 2 friends who want to pay me to bake cookies for them. I am flattered but know I've got my work cut out for me.

So in the spirit of baking here's one of my favorite cookie recipes......

Frosted Date Creams


Cookies
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 1/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 package (8 ounces) chopped dates
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Vanilla Frosting
1/2 cup butter or margarine
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 to 4 tablespoons hot water


1. Heat oven to 400ºF. Lightly grease cookie sheet. In large bowl, beat 1/4 cup butter, the brown sugar, sour cream, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and the egg with spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda and baking powder. Stir in dates and nuts.
2. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter over low heat. Stir in powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until blended. Stir in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until frosting is smooth and spreadable. Spread cooled cookies with frosting.