Cookies!

I love cookies, and so, I make a lot of cookies. I have a couple favorite recipes that I make as soon as it gets to be fall. (Or as soon as grocery stores start selling eggnog, since "fall" doesn't really happen in Texas.)

Eggnog Cookies
This recipe came from a person my mom worked with several years ago and we've been making them ever since! I love them and they're great because they hold their shape really well, and the icing is super easy. (You can also use Royal Icing which uses egg whites -I think. I plan on trying that later.) Anyway to decorate these I used some condiment bottles with different colors of icing.

The decorating is the most fun!

Ingredients

• 1 c. butter softened
• 2 c. white sugar
• 1 c. store-bought eggnog
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 5+1/2 c. all-purpose flour 

Thanksgiving Cookies!

(Icing)

• Powdered Sugar
• Milk
• Food Coloring

Cookie decorating station.

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. 
2. Beat in egg nog, baking soda and nutmeg.
3. Gradually add flour and mix well
4. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
5. On a lightly floured surface, 
6. Roll out half of the dough to 1/8 inch thickness.
7. Cut in desired shapes
8. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
9. Repeat w/ remaining dough.
10. Bake 350* for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
11. Cool on wire racks.
12. Decorate w/ powdered sugar icing (optional).

Yield: 5 dozen


Molasses Cookies
This is my Great Grandmother's recipe They are very good, but take a bit of work, so I don't make them nearly as often. This recipe also makes a ton of cookies so you don't have to make them as often. The curing part of the recipe is actually very important and does change the flavor of the cookies.

Ingredients

• 2 cups Grandma’s Molasses
• 4 eggs
• 1 stick margarine
• 2 cup sugar
• 1 lb pecans (2 cups pecans)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ginger
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp allspice
• 4 cups flour, mixed with spices
• 4 cups flour

Directions

1. Let margarine and eggs reach room temp
2. In a large bowl cream butter, sugar.
3. Add egg
4. Heat molasses in large saucepan, do not boil!
5. Add baking soda and stir well
6. *When adding baking soda molasses will foam and rise*
7. Gradually add molasses to sugar mixture (1/4 cup at a time) until mixture is cooled to prevent curdling.
8. Add pecans
9. Gradually add 4 cups of flour & spices.
10. Gradually add 4 more cups of flour.
11. Dough should be difficult to stir in flour after second cup (technically 6th)
12. Chill the dough well. (4 hrs or overnight)
13. Roll out portions on floured surface & cut with cookie cutters
14. *Dough can be rolled into a cylinder, chilled again, sliced, and baked.
15. Bake 350 for 10 minutes
16. *To store place a cut apple in a plastic container lined with paper towels. (the cookies will become softer and absorb the flavor of the apple) Let them “cure” for at least 24 hours.

Oatmeal Raisin Pecan Cookies
This recipe came from one of my relatives somewhere down the line, I don't really know who. But, these cookies are delicious! This recipe makes a more reasonable amount of cookies (about 2 dozen).

All that's left. (They're someone's favorite)

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ⅛ cup water       *1/8 cup water = 1 oz or 2 tbsp
• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 cup pecans (chopped)
• ½ cup raisins (or more)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla (optional)

Directions

1. Cream butter, sugar and cinnamon.
2. Add eggs.
3. Add flour and mix.
4. Stir the baking soda with warm water and add to the mixture.
5. Add oatmeal, pecans, and raisins.
6. Bake at 400 until golden brown on the edges.