As promised in an earlier post, here are two more of my favorite cookies to include in my gift baskets or any other decorated container.
Peanut Butter Cookies
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup peanut butter (brand name will probably work better than a generic, but either is fine)
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
Thoroughly cream the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla (You can use a mixer or cream by hand). Mix together flour, baking soda, and salt and then blend slowly into the creamed mixture. Shape cookie dough into 1 inch balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place each ball 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. (As I said in my previous post, I always grease them slightly or use a baking stone). Flatten and criss cross with fork tines. Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes (again baking time will vary slightly according to your stove). Cool cookies for 2 minutes and remove from pan.
This is a favorite in my house around Christmas time, but they are delicious any time of year.
Molasses Drop Cookies
1 cup sugar
1 cup margarine
2 eggs (beaten)
1 cup molasses
2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup hot water
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ground cloves
5 cups flour
Cream sugar and shortening together. Add the eggs and molasses. Dissolve baking soda in hot water and add to creamed mixture. Mix cinnamon and cloves with flour and stir into mixture. Chill dough for at least one hour (can also be chilled overnight). Drop by rounded teaspoon onto a greased cookie pan (or baking stone) and sprinkle tops with sugar. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool cookies for 2 mintues and remove from pan.
Don’t forget, for those of you that prefer ready-made cookies, you can find several different kinds in your grocery store. It won’t matter if you make them from scratch or not – cookies always make a fabulous homemade gift.
