Scrappin'ings

12 Days of Christmas Goodies ~ Day Three

So, it's day three of my Christmas goodies postings.  I actually missed yesterday, but it doesn't seem like my great idea is generating much traffic to this blog, so no one probably noticed anyway.  Today is a recipe that was my grandma's... a favorite of my uncle Bill.  I hope you enjoy them, too!

SOFT GINGERSNAP COOKIES

1 c. packed brown sugar

3/4 c. softened butter

1/4 c. molasses

1 egg

2 1/4 c. flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Lightly grease - do not oil - cookie sheets.  In large bowl, combine first 4 ingredients.  Blend well.  Add remaining ingredients.  Chill dough at least 1 hour.  Heat oven to 375°.  Shape dough into 1" balls.  Roll in sugar.  Place 2" apart on cookie sheet.  Bake 8-10 minutes until edges set.  Cool 1-2 minutes before removing from cookie sheet.

12 Days of Christmas Goodies ~ Day Two

This is a super easy recipe that always elicits rave reviews.

DIPPED PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

Yields about 5 dozen

1 c. peanut butter

1 - 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 c. baking mix (Bisquick or similar)

3/4 - 1 lb. milk chocolate confectionery coating (almond bark)

1 Tbl. shortening

In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, milk, egg, and vanilla; beat until smooth.  Stir in baking mix and mix until combined.  Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.  Shape into 1" balls and place 1" apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass.  Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on wire racks.  In a small saucepan over low heat, melt confectionery coating and shortening.  Dip each cookie halfway into chocolate; shake off excess.  Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets to harden.  Yum!

12 Days of Christmas Goodies

I made a small goal for myself to do my own "12 Days of Christmas" by posting Christmas recipes for yummy goodies that are "tried and true".  Well, the weekend got away from me and I didn't get started on the 1st as I planned.  Better late than never though, right?  So... even though it seems strange to start a "12 Days" on the 3rd, I'm going to go through with it so I can post recipes that my family enjoys.  My Mom began a great tradition of baking with me when I was very young.  It is a tradition that I am enjoying continuing with my own two children.  It's something small, but I think it is kind of neat that the kids and I are still using the KitchenAid mixer that my mom received in (I think I have the year right) 1973 when I was 5 years old.  It still works like a champ!

I hope to post a recipe a day for the next twelve days.  I hope you and your family enjoy the recipes.  I'd love to hear feedback if you do happen to try any of the recipes.  Enjoy!  Merry Christmas to you and your family!

The first recipe is one that I first made last year for our Girl Scout troop Christmas party.  It was easy and delicious and the girls all loved the combination of cherries and coconut.  As my family would say, this recipe is a "definite do-over".

CHERRY-COCONUT BARS

1 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 c. butter

3 Tbl. powdered sugar

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 c. granulated sugar

1/4 c. all-purpose flour (in addition to the original 1 cup)

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 c. chopped nuts (I used walnuts)

1/2 c. coconut

1/2 c. quartered maraschino cherries

Preheat oven to 350°.  With hands, mix 1 cup flour, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth.  Spread thin with fingers in ungreased square pan, 8x8x2".  Bake about 25 minutes.

Stir the rest of the ingredients into the eggs.  Spread over the top of baked pastry (no need to cool).  Bake about 25 minutes longer.  Cool.  Cut into 18 bars.