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!


Thursday, June 3, 2010

Cookie Recipe #152 - Cranberry Jumbles


These are a jumble of naturally -sweet, chewy cranberries and crunchy almonds entwined in a cinnamony soft dough. Cranberries never tasted so good!

Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup whole wheat flour, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/8 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 cup shortening, 1 slightly beaten egg, 2 tablespoons cranberry juice or orange juice, 1 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup slivered almonds, 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel, 3-4 teaspoons orange juice (or more, if needed).

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Combine egg and juice in small bowl; stir into flour mixture. Add cranberries and almonds until well distributed.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 12-14 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make frosting as follows: In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar, finely shredded orange peel, and enough orange juice to make drizzling consistency. Drizzle over tops of each cookie and serve.

Makes about 32 cookies.

"Better Homes and Gardens Biggest Book of Cookies", Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, IA, 2003.

Cookies Rule!!!

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