Cindi's Ginger Snaps

I should really be letting Cindi post this recipe because it's one of her specialties, but they are Austin's favorite cookies, so I've been practicing. I've made them a few times in the last couple months, and today I finally got them how I like them. I added a little bit extra flour so they didn't come out as flat at 7 1/2 minutes was the perfect cooking time. I also usually half the recipe and it still makes 3 dozen. Perfect for a Christmas treat!

Ginger Snaps

Preheat oven to 350

cream: 1 1/2 cups shortening
add: 2 eggs
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup molasses
mix
sift dry ingredients
1 tsp salt
2 tsp soda
2 tsp ginger
1 tsp cloves
2 tsp cinnamon
4 cups flour
add to molasses mixture

form into balls and roll in sugar..... we also add sprinkles to bring a little somethin extra :)

cook for about 8 minutes
*I do 7 1/2 minutes for my oven. You just don't want to overcook them so they are nice and chewy... so take them out when they start to crackle on the top!

Aunt Julie's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Aunt Julie's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Julie has been making these cookies for years. They are practically perfect in every way...just like Julie herself!  I love Aunt Julie for all she does for everyone, for her kind and generous soul, for her thoughtfulness as well as for her delicious chocolate chip cookies.  Everyone should be lucky enough to have an Aunt Julie!  P.S.  This recipe got posted tonight because I got a phone call from a darling girl, Summer, in Alabama.  She talked to Elder Ingersoll and he told her to call and get the recipe.  How fun is that!  Good luck Summer!

2/3 c butter

2/3 c shortening (Butter flavored is best)

2 cups white sugar

2 cups brown sugar

Cream butter, shortening and sugar.

Add:

4 eggs

4 tsp. vanilla

Mix.

While mixer is running at low speed add:

4 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

5 cups flour (Add 1 c. at a time)

After all is mixed well add:

1 package chocolate chips (our favorite is semi sweet)

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.  Be sure to not overbake!

The Ultimate Oatmeal Cookie



This beautiful picture was taken by Andrea...she made the cookies look perfect!



This is our family's new favorite cookie!  It was in the spotlight recipe from a darling young mom, Kara Marshall.  Arianne and I have made it about 6 times in the last couple of weeks!  We tweeked it just a little because we had some leftover white chocolate chips (we omitted the chocolate chips in the recipe) to make them beautiful and delicious!  

The Ultimate Oatmeal Cookie

11/2 c butter, softened

3 c. brown sugar

2 eggs

2 t. vanilla

Cream these ingredients together.

Add:

11/2 t. baking powder

1 t. soda

1 t. salt

2 1/2 c. flour

Mix well then add:

2 1/2 c. whole oats

2 c. nuts (pecans are the best but  you may substitute walnuts.  Lightly toast the nuts and chop)

1 c. dried cherries

1 c. cranberries

1 c. chocolate (she suggested bittersweet chips but at least semi-sweet.  If you want to dip in white chocolate, omit the chocolate)

Mix together.  Scoop onto parchment covered cookie sheets. (I just sprayed a cookie sheet with Pam and it worked fine).  Bake at 325 for 12-15 minutes.  Don't over bake!

*Cool completely.  Melt white chocolate (I use the big chips from Gygi's) in microwave for about 2 minutes.  Stir.  Then you can use a fork to dip and sprinkle the cookies with the melted chocolate.  You can also dip one half in the melted chocolate.  Place on a piece of parchment paper and cool until the white chocolate hardens.