We are introduced, at an early age, to the sweet wondernous of a cookie. From teething cookies to soothe the swollen aching gums of incoming incisors, onto animal crackers purchased in rectangular-shaped boxes bearing a string handle for easy toting by little fingers. Deciding which part of the animal should be eaten first-the trunk of the elephant or the tail of a lion-depended on how hungry one was. Savor each and every one or simply gobble them down as fast as possible.

My next cookie memory would be the ever famous, possibly all-time favorite, the chocolate chip cookie. There is nothing better than to bite into a round circle of baked dough sprinkled with gooey melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. A chocolate chip cookie can dry tears, heal broken hearts, mend scraped knees and elbows and solve sibling arguments. Most of the problems in the world could likely be solved by a properly baked, right out of the oven, chocolate chip cookie. The power of a cookie is underestimated.

I will attempt in the next 365 days to prepare and comment on a year’s worth of different cookies-one for each day. My goal is to share with others my extreme love of cookies-baking them and especially eating them! Feel free to send me your favorite recipe, your earliest cookie memories, or how cookies may have influenced your life. Cookies Rule!


Saturday, January 16, 2010

Cookie Recipe #14 - Scotch Shortbread


If you are one of those who at a young age was allowed by a Grandparent to eat a pat of butter all by itself(my Grandpa let me eat sugar cubes), then you will enjoy this cookie. It's similar to filling your mouth with delicious butter-only sweeter because of the sugar involved.

Only 3 ingredients form these little morsels: 3/4 cup butter, softened, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 cups all-purpose flour.

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter and sugar in medium mixing bowl, about 20 seconds. Sift flour over bowl and mix well. If dough is crumbly, add in 1-2 tablespoons soft butter. Pick some up with your fingers and squeeze lightly. If it sticks together, it's ready to roll.

On a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough 1/2 - 1/3 inch thick. Cut into small shapes with cutters dipped into flour. Place 1/2 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated oven 11-13 minutes, just until cookie is set. Remove from oven and immediately transfer to cooling racks.

This recipe makes about 2-3 dozen. Great with a hot cup of coffee or tea!

As I tried one of these, I could feel the butter going directly to my arteries and raising the number on my cholesterol, but I guess one won't kill me (don't tell my doctor!). If I go for a 20-mile hike now, I can probably wear that one cookie off (like that's going to happen!).

Cookies Rule!!!

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