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!


Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Cookie Recipe #270 - Citrus Cheesecake Slices


WARNING - "Chillin" Cookie!! With all the heat we've had here the past few days, "chillin" is what we need. The weather "predictors" suggest the temperature will drop 7-8 degrees today (92 instead of 100). In my book, once the thermometer reaches 85 or above, it's HOT! Eating a few of today's cookies will at least cool your tongue. The mixture of cream cheese and citrus rolled in crushed graham crackers and pecans results in a delightful cookie.

Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, softened, 3 ounces cream cheese, softened, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans, 1/4 cup finely crushed graham crackers.

Instructions: In a large mixing bowl beat butter and cream cheese for 30 seconds. Add sugar, lemon peel, lemon juice, orange peel, and vanilla. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in flour gradually. If necessary, cover and chill dough about 30 minutes or until easy to handle.

Stir together pecans and crushed graham crackers; set aside. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into an 8-inch-long roll; roll in nut mixture. Wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper. Chill for 2-24 hours or until dough is firm enough to slice.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut rolls into 1/4-inch slices. Place slices an inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven 8-10 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes 4-5 dozen cookies.

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

Cookies Rule!!!

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