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!


Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Cookie Recipe #192 - Secret Kiss Cookies


Unwrap the outer cocoa-covered cookie shell to reach the chocolate present inside-it's a party in your mouth!

Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks)butter, softened, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup finely chopped walnuts, 1 bag (6 ounces) Kisses candies, powdered sugar, cocoa.

Instructions: In large mixing bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add flour and walnuts; beat until well blended. Cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours or until firm enough to handle. Remove wrappers from Kisses; set aside. In small bowl sift together 1/3 cup powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon cocoa; set aside.


Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using approximately 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie, shape dough around each chocolate piece; roll to make a ball. Be sure to cover each chocolate piece completely. Place on ungreased baking sheet about 2 inches apart.

Bake 10-12 minutes in preheated 375 degree oven or until cookies are set but not brown. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire racks.

While still slightly warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar/cocoa mixture. Allow to cool completely. Just before serving, roll cookies again in mixture.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

"Hershey's Chocolate Lover's Cookbook", Brimar Publishing Inc., Montreal, Canada, 1993.

Cookies Rule!!!

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