Darien’s Date-Nut Pinwheels
This recipe makes a batch of soft, sweet, nutty cookies with an amazing texture. It’s almost like a cinnamon roll in cookie form, between the dates and the brown sugar. These pinwheels are decadent, but also carry that natural, fruity, date flavor, keeping them from being cloyingly sweet. If you’re a fan of Turkish coffee,...
Gran’s Bourbon Balls
Bourbon balls have long been a signifier of family gatherings for me, ever since I was a small child and they were placed on a counter just out of my reach. (Because the alcohol doesn’t cook off, you may want to do the same for the cookie-grabbing small children in your household.) This is a...
Liz’s Peanut Butter M&M Cookies
The classic kid-friendly party cookie that has lasted throughout the ages, given the equally classic twist of peanut butter! If you’re hoping for a more spiced-up version of this, try adding a pinch of cinnamon to the mix- or apple pie spice, if you’re so inclined. Ingredients: ¼ cup peanut butter ½ cup crisco or...
Leslie’s French Lace Cookies
Ingredients: 1 cup flour 1 cup finely chopped pecans and walnuts ½ cup corn syrup ½ cup shortening 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed Preparation: Preheat oven to 375ºF. Blend flour and nuts. Bring corn syrup, shortening, and sugar to boil in sauce pan over medium heat; gradually stir in flour and nuts. Drop batter by...
Oatmeal Apple Cookies
Ingredients: 1 ½ cup rolled oats ¾ cup all-purpose flour ¾ cup whole-wheat flour ½ cup packed brown sugar 1 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt 3 tsp apple pie spice ½ cup raisins 1 cup finely chopped peeled apple 1 egg, slightly beaten ½ cup honey ½ cup oil 1/3...
Ginger Molasses Stars
Ingredients: 1 cup softened butter 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 1 tsp ground ginger ½ tsp baking soda ½ cup molasses 1/3 cup milk 3 ½ cups flour Preparation: In large mixing bowl, beat butter on medium high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, ginger, and baking soda; beat until combined. Beat in molasses...
Susan’s Coconut Cranberry Chews
Ingredients: 1 ½ cup butter, room temperature 2 cups sugar 1 tbsp grated orange peel 2 tsp vanilla 1 large egg 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 1 ½ cup dried cranberries 1 ½ cup sweetened flaked dried coconut Preparation: Preheat oven to 350ºF. In large bowl, beat butter,...
Lemon Anise Biscotti
Home-made biscotti is much easier than it seems, and is well worth the effort! For an added bakery-level treat, try dipping the flat end in melted white chocolate and letting it cool on parchment paper. Ingredients: 2 cups unbleached flour 1 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 egg white...
Diane’s Vanilla Sugar Cookies
Ingredients: 1 cup butter 1 cup sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp milled vanilla 2 tsp baking powder 3 cups flour Preparation: Preheat oven to 400ºF. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with electric mixer. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add baking powder and flour one cup at a time, mixing after each...
Rum Spice Cookies
Allspice brings out the warmth and complexity of these cookies, making for a wonderful winter treat. Ingredients: ¾ cup butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp + ¾ tsp ground allspice 1 egg ¼ cup honey 3 tbsp dark rum 2 2/3 cup flour 1/3 cup...
Barbara’s Scottish Shortbread
Ingredients: 5 cups flour 2 tbsp cornstarch 1 1/3 cup sugar 2 ½ cup butter, room temperature 2 ½ tsp cool water Preparation: Combine flour, cornstarch, and sugar in bowl. Cut butter into small pieces and mix into dry ingredients until crumbly, no larger than rice grains. Blend in water. Pat dough into lipped cookie...
Amaretti
These have been a Father’s Day staple in our house for many years now, and Amaretti have never failed to delight. They pair well with ice cream or coffee, as well as standing their own as a munchable treat. Ingredients: 2 egg whites 1 ¼ cup blanched whole almonds ¾ cup granulated sugar ¼ tsp...
