Cookie Day

The cookie jar sits, so lonely, on the counter, empty.

I had started baking cookies for Christmas over a month ago.  I got distracted by pies, fudge, and a party, school, critters, snow, being sick...   and probably a dozen other things.  I try to keep at least a batch in there at all times, start a new batch when it's getting low.  Somehow I missed the emptying of the cookie jar.  Yesterday #3 saw my secret cookie stash- ie the handful I take into my room when I want a chocolate fix at midnight, but only eat one or two, and he confiscated them.

"We need cookies for Santa!"

Hmmm...  How long has the cookie jar been empty?  I can't remember the last time someone asked if they could have a cookie.  Not in the past few days.  Maybe a week?  Has it been that long without complaints?  How odd.

So, we need cookies for Santa.  And definitely for my next chocolate craving.  And maybe even a few for the kids.  Today will be cookie day.

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup lard
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
3 3/4 cup oatmeal
1 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/4 cup raisins

1.  Preheat oven to 375 F.  Grease baking sheets.
2.  Cream shortening, brown sugar, egg milk, vanilla in large bowl at medium speed.
3.  Combine oats, flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon.  Add to creamed mixture gradually, beating at low speed.
4.  Stir in raisins.
5.  Drop dough on cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 F 10 to 12 minutes.

Makes 3 to 4 dozen.

(I'll make a second batch of these with my blaizins!)

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup lard
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup chocolate chips

1.  Preheat oven to 375 F
2.  Cream shortening and brown sugar.
3.  Add egg, milk & vanilla.  Beat 1 minute.
4.  Combine flour, salt, baking soda.  Add to creamed mixture gradually, until blended.
5.  Stir in chocolate chips.
6.  Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet.
7.  Bake 375 F 8 to 10 minutes.  Cookies will still appear moist.

And a second batch of those with 1/4 cup cocoa added for Chocolate Chocolate Chip. And possibly a third, because I think I lost my mind in the grocery store and bought some kind of weird, coloured, candy coated chips.

Today I'll only be making the Basic Sugar Cookies, but here's the whole Basic Cookie Mix recipe (or at least the parts that I've kept and used).

Basic Cookie Mix
                                This basic cookie mix can be used to make 9 different cookies.
 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
 4 cups white sugar
 1 1/2 cups dry milk powder
 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1.   Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well with a spoon.
2.  Sift mixture twice.
3.  Store in a tightly covered containter as it keeps well for several weeks at room  temperature.
4.  This mixture can be used to make Basic Sugar Cookies, Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies, Basic Raisin Cookies, Basic Coconut Cookies, Basic Nut Cookies, Basic Peanut Butter Cookies, Basic Brownies, Basic Chocolate Drop Cookies, or Basic Oatmeal Bars.
 Makes 9 cups

Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies
 2 cups basic cookie mix (see recipe)
 1 egg
1/2 cup butter or margarine
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
                    
 1.  Melt butter or margarine over low heat and add to Basic Cookie Mix.
2.   Lightly beat the egg and add to mixture. Stir in vanilla and mix well.
3.  With lightly floured hands shape into 1 inch balls and arrange about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.
4.  Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 12 to 15 minutes until golden.
5.  Cool a couple of minutes before removing from cookie sheet to racks to complete cooling.
 Makes 3 dozen

Basic Raisin Cookies
This recipe uses a pre-made mix that will keep for several
 weeks. Add the following ingredients to the mix for Basic Raisin Cookies.
 2 cups basic cookie mix (see recipe)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2.  Melt butter or margarine over low heat and mix into the Basic Cookie Mix. Lightly beat egg and stir into mixture. Add vanilla and raisins and mix well.
3.  With lightly floured hands shape into 1 inch balls and arrange about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.
4.  Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden. Cool a couple of minutes before removing from cookie sheet to racks to complete cooling.
 Makes 3 dozen

Basic Brownies
This recipe uses a pre-made mix that keeps for several  weeks at room temperature. Add the following ingredients to the mix to make Brownies.
 2 cups basic cookie mix
 1 egg
 1/3 cup cold water
 1/3 cup butter or margarine
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 1/4 cup sifted cocoa
 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9 x 9 inch pan.
2.  Lightly beat egg and add to Basic Cookie Mix.
3.  Melt butter or margarine over low heat and add to mixture. Stir in water, vanilla, cocoa and nuts. Mix well.
4.  Bake for 25 minutes or until top spings back when touched. Cool and cut into squares.
Makes 16 squares (approx.)

 Basic Sugar Cookies
    * 1/2 cup butter
    * 2 cups Basic Cookie Mix
    * 1 egg
    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
   1. Melt butter over low heat and add to 2 cups Basic Cookie Mix.
   2. Lightly beat the egg and add to mixture. Stir in vanilla and mix well.
   3. With lightly floured hands shape into 1 inch balls and arrange about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.
   4. Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 12 to 15 minutes until golden.
   5. Cool a couple of minutes before removing from cookie sheet to racks to complete cooling.

Basic Oatmeal Bars
    * 1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
    * 2 cups Basic Cookie Mix
    * 1 egg
    * 3/4 cup butter
    * 1/4 cup cold water
    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    * 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
   1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
   2. Stir oats into Basic Cookie Mix. Lightly beat egg and add to mixture. Melt butter or margarine over low heat and stir in. Add cold water, vanilla and almond extract. Mix well.
   3. Spoon into a greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes until top is golden. Cool and cut into bars.

 I take no credit whatsoever for these recipes.  I've been using them for years, and I don't know where they came from.  All I can say is that they make good cookies!  Hope you like them!