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Farm Kitchen: what is your favorite Christmas cookie recipe??? |
Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2011 : 08:30:39 AM
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i am planning on baking this year for the first year in many and taking some boxes of cookies and other goodies to my kids and grands when i go home for Christmas....
i am not really sure that i have an absolute favorite cookie to eat- i enjoy tooooo many!!! my memories of when i started baking are when i was about 5 with my grandmother--gingerbread people!!! yum! then my stepmother started teaching me more detailed things like the following recipe for Bird's Nest cookies when i was about 10 or 11--when i hit 8th grade i started baking on my own cuz my mom was a lousy cook--i started making rum balls and big elaborate tins of mirro cookie press(* i have a funny cookie press story i'll save for another time!) type cookies and snowballs, birds nests etc....i have never mastered cut outs!many ppl have shared wonderful recipes with me but mine just dud!!!
my Girl Scout troops( i was a leader for 12 years) baked and sold cookies by the pound when we were fundraising for trips etc--- we had a blast and it was a wonderful learning experience for the girls! and us adults!we sold 135 pounds of cookies one year!!!!including this recipe X 6 or 36 dozen birds nests!!!!!!!!
so--i'm looking for recipes-tried and true--to bake to take home --my grands range from 4-14 and of course their parents!i have some gooseberry recipes like for Christmas Crunch and am thinking of including the spiced nuts (tho i went into sticker shock at the grocery store yesterday!)--would love to know what your fave cookies are and maybe your recipe if you would share!
anyhow- here is my stepmothers birds nest cookie recipe from the 1960s
Bird's Nest Cookies Ingredients:
1 pound soft oleo 1 cup brown sugar 4 egg yolks 4 cups flour dash salt 1 teaspoon vanilla preserves-raspberry or apricot walnuts
In separate bowl, whish egg whites until frothy, put aside. Mix all ingredients (*except preserves and walnuts) together. Roll into small balls. Dip in egg white and roll in chopped nuts. Make indent in top of cookie with thumb. Fill with preserves. Can sprinkle nuts on top of preserves if desired.
Bake at 375 derees for 15 to 20 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet. Yield 6-7 dozen
*as i am typing this i see that my stepmother relied much on the fact that she remembereed how and SHOWED me--otherwise one would add the preserves and nuts right in when she said mix ALL!otherwise i tried not to alter her typing!
Farmgirl # 2139 proud member of the Farmgirls of the Southwest Henhouse ~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
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Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2011 : 1:35:43 PM
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bump...c'mon! inquiring minds wanna know!!!! you know you wanna share!!!!
Farmgirl # 2139 proud member of the Farmgirls of the Southwest Henhouse ~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2011 : 2:15:19 PM
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These are just delicious as is or dipped half way in chocolate!
Tangerine Butter Cookies
Yield: 84 cookies Prep: 45 mins Bake: 350°F 9 mins per batch
Ingredients
3/4 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 2 teaspoons finely shredded tangerine peel or orange peel 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon orange extract 3/4 cup olive oil 1/2 cup white cornmeal 4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar (Note: I add a lot more tangerine peel for my own tastes)
Directions
1. In a very large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1 1/2 cups sugar, the baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs, tangerine peel, vanilla, and orange extract until combined. Gradually beat in oil until smooth. Beat in cornmeal. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. If necessary, cover and chill for 30 to 60 minutes or until dough is easy to handle.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll balls in sugar to coat. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using a wooden skewer or toothpick, press an "X" into each ball of dough.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until tops are very lightly browned. While warm, lightly press again with wooden skewer to make deeper "X" indentations. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool. Makes 84 cookies.
Annika Farmgirl & sister #13 http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/ http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2011 : 2:35:30 PM
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those sound yummo! do they store/transport well? and it's clementine season right now so we have lots of peel to shred!!!!! wow--i knew that i could count on a farmsister to add to my reportoire!!!! (sic?)
Farmgirl # 2139 proud member of the Farmgirls of the Southwest Henhouse ~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2011 : 3:02:37 PM
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I layer them between pieces of waxed paper in a tin or sealable container. They do dry out pretty fast otherwise. Most of my family does not care for citrus, so I've never sent them in the mail. But if you like them and do ship them, please let me know how it turns out! I'll be heading in to town to pick up a bunch of Clementines the week to start the peeling zesting and shredding =) I hope that you enjoy them!
Annika Farmgirl & sister #13 http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/ http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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debbies journey
True Blue Farmgirl
635 Posts
debbie
anchorage
ak
USA
635 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2011 : 8:17:41 PM
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Annika, your recipe sounds delish! Do they stay rounded when you mark them with an X, or do you flatten them like peanut butter cookies? My sons favorite is chocolate crinkles. Debbie |
Edited by - debbies journey on Nov 27 2011 8:19:41 PM |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13620 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13620 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 05:59:14 AM
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Actually, Scottish Shortbread (my recipe) is our favorite Christmas cookie recipe. We make different ones but that is probably our favorite.
CJs SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD
1 cup butter - NO SUBSTITUTES!! 1/2 cup BROWN sugar 2 cups all purpose flour 1/2 cup very finely chopped pecans.
Cream butter and sugar together thoroughly, add flour and pecans until stiff dough is formed. You can roll it out, cut into wedges and bake on sheet. I usually press it into large flat glass baking dish. Bake at 325 until golden (gentle) brown, about 20 minutes. I cut into squares with sharp knife while still warm. Let cool.
Thanks! CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665. Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
the "Purple Thistle" http://www.ceejay48.etsy.com
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
Through my lens - http://ceejayscamera.shutterfly.com/ From my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
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Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 07:01:46 AM
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ceejay-THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! one of my faves but i have never made it!!!!!!!!!! i will treasure this recipe since it is from you!!!!!
Farmgirl # 2139 proud member of the Farmgirls of the Southwest Henhouse ~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
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musicmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Wendy
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Nov 29 2011 : 07:13:28 AM
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He-he, I was just coming over here to see if this thread existed, or I would start one.
One of our favorite recipes here is Persimmon cookies. I'll pull it out and post it later. We bake about 20 different kinds of goodies to share with everyone and most of them change each year, but we have a few that we keep going back to.
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Nov 29 2011 : 08:32:04 AM
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@ Debbie ~ They do flatten a bit. Sorry that I didn't get back to you sooner...trouble with a wounded ram and family goings on.
I would like to add this very quick to make cookie, I have been making a version of these cookies for years using hazelnut butter though, this is an easy peasy recipe and so good no matter if you use nutella or just hazelnut butter.
Nutella Cookies
Prep Time 5 Minutes Cook Time 8 Minutes Servings 24 Ingredients
1 cup Nutella ½ cups Sugar 1 cup All-purpose Flour 1 whole Egg
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Blend all ingredients together well. Form into 1#8243; balls. Place on a cookie sheet. Press down firmly with the bottom of a glass. Bake 7-8 minutes or until set. Cool.
=) Have a happy day!
Annika Farmgirl & sister #13 http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/ http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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mickib
True Blue Farmgirl
267 Posts
Michele
Coeur d'Alene
Idaho
267 Posts |
Posted - Nov 29 2011 : 4:23:46 PM
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Ooo, Annika, those Tangerine Butter Cookies sound wonderful! |
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jessabelluh
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Jessica
South Dakota
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 06:26:22 AM
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These are tiny, 1/2" square cookies, that I originally used as a filler on Christmas cookie trays. I learned to bring extra in a bag, because they go fast!
Elfin Bites (Scotch Shortbread)
1/2 pound butter (1 cup or two sticks; do not substitute margarine) 1/2 c. powdered sugar 2 c. flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. baking powder
Preheat the oven to 350*F (180*C).
Cream the butter, then gradually add the sugar, beating well. Mix the flour, salt, and baking powder together and add to the first mixture, combining thoroughly.
Roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it is 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch thick, then cut into desired shapes. Put them on ungreased cookie sheets, prick each cookie with a fork, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until they turn lightly brown around the edges.
To make “Elfin Bites,” add 3 T. small, round, multi-colored candy sprinkles to the dough and mix evenly. Roll cookie dough 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, then cut with a crimping wheel into ½” squares (yes, one-half inch…just big enough for an elf to enjoy). Do not prick with fork before baking. These are very cute piled onto a cookie tray with a variety of other cookies.
*These freeze well
This recipe is from “The Fannie Farmer Cookbook”, p. 561. Adapted by Rhonda from ChristmasNotebook.com
~jess |
Edited by - jessabelluh on Nov 30 2011 07:41:15 AM |
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musicmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Wendy
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 07:01:58 AM
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Here's the recipe for the Persimmon Cookies 2 C sugar 1 C Butter, softened 2 C persimmon pulp 2 eggs, slightly beaten 4 c flour 2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp ground cloves 1 c pecans or other nuts (optional) 1/2 c raisins
Cream together sugar and butter in a large bowl. Blend in pulp and eggs.
Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Gradually add to persimmon mixture, blending well after each addition.
Stir in nuts and raisins. Drop by Tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets and bake in preheated oven at 375 for 8 - 10 minutes.
Frost cookies while still warm.
Frosting: 3 c powdered sugar 3 Tbl butter, melted 5-6 Tbl milk
Blend together, adding enough milk to make a spreading consistency.
From "Simply In Season"
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
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jessabelluh
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Jessica
South Dakota
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 07:39:42 AM
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This is simple shortcut recipe. Although you could also use your favorite homemade peanut butter cookie dough.
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350. Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray Using a roll of store bought peanut butter cookie dough, cut the dough into 12 slices and divide each slice into four pieces. Drop the pieces into the greased tins. Bake for 8-10 minutes. As soon as they are removed from the oven, press a small peanut butter cup into the center. After adding the peanut butter cups, leave the cookies in the tins to cool. The dough is soft and fragile while warm. If they are removed right away, the cookies fall apart. Slide a knife or small spatula around the edges of the cookie to make it easier to remove.
*These freeze well *To make them a little fancier, you can add sprinkles or a chocolate or white chocolate drizzle.
~jess |
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Sweet_Tea
True Blue Farmgirl
194 Posts
Tara
Newberry
SC
USA
194 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 1:02:00 PM
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These aren't cookies.. but, when I think about Christmas.. I think of Struffis!
I'm Sicilian and it is a sin not to have Struffoli for Christmas :) all in all they are fried dough balls with jimmies on them. here are some I made last year for Christmas.
Struffoli
5 cups unsifted flour 2 tsp double acting baking powder 1 tsp salt 3 tbsp white wine or water (add 1tsp of vanilla) 6 eggs beaten 1 qt veg oil (1/4 cup) 1 1/2lb jar of honey = 24oz Colored sprinkles
Put flour in sifter, add baking powder and salt and sift onto pastry board Make a well in the flour. Put half eggs in the middle and blend Then add some egg, water, and oil and mix well
Cut into about 1/4" pieces and Fry on 370 for 8 min
Honey: Put honey and sugar on the stove and simmer about 5 min, add strufies and mix then add sprinkles
and let them cool.. we usually keep them in the fridge, then take them out about 30-45 minutes before eating them..
Farmgirl Sister #2974 ~ http://notsosweettea.blogspot.com/
"The air of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears"
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musicmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Wendy
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 1:42:08 PM
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Every year, we visit an Italian bakery in Portland as part of our Advent celebration. (My husband's family is Italian and we like to honor our family ancestry during the holidays). Everyone picks out a treat and then we all share the Struffoli. I can't wait to try the recipe at home!
I also started make Ricotta Cookies last year after only finding them at the bakery. They still aren't quite right, but I'm working on them.
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
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Sweet_Tea
True Blue Farmgirl
194 Posts
Tara
Newberry
SC
USA
194 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 1:58:19 PM
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Wendy.. Speaking of Ricotta reminds me of Sfinge!
I Love these, these are like Zeppoli's but lighter.
Sfinge mix 1st 1lb of ricotta in a bowl (just mix it up real good) 4 tbsp of sugar 5 tsp baking powder 1 tbsp vanilla extract 3 eggs and mix all of this very very well..
at the end add: 1 cup of flour and a pinch of salt.
use a ice cream scoop or a spoon and drop by the spoonful into vegetable oil and fry them up... then dust with powdered sugar..
these are great!
Farmgirl Sister #2974 ~ http://notsosweettea.blogspot.com/
"The air of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears"
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 7:50:08 PM
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My Italian MIL used to make what she called Scelleti (spelling?). They are like a raised doughnut that is formed into a figure 8, deep fried then dunked in hot honey. My recipe is at home (and I'm not right now) so I'll try to remember to post it. Had a cat that would tear the foil off of the plate and help himself to this treat while we were all asleep.
Audrey
Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 7:58:02 PM
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Shortbread. Easy. Fast. Three ingredients. Couldn't get any better than that.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~ Tasha-Rose Farmgirl Sister #88
Blogs: http://omgsitstasharose.wordpress.com
[url=http://lilypie.com][/url]
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Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
Posted - Dec 06 2011 : 06:20:40 AM
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bump bump bumpity bump
Farmgirl # 2139 proud member of the Farmgirls of the Southwest Henhouse ~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Dec 06 2011 : 06:25:17 AM
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I always make Gingersnaps rolled in cinnamon sugar, chock full of crystalized ginger. I'm a HUGE gingersnap girl!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..." The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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Penny Wise
True Blue Farmgirl
1903 Posts
Margo
Elyria
OH
USA
1903 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2011 : 1:39:57 PM
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bump!!!!!!!!!!
Farmgirl # 2139 proud member of the Farmgirls of the Southwest Henhouse ~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
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soapmommy60543
True Blue Farmgirl
2197 Posts
Ann
Oswego
IL
USA
2197 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2011 : 06:34:47 AM
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If you want a bunch of really simple and creative cookies, I'm doing a series on my blog called "Twenty Five Days of Treats". The first 2 days were all about how to dress up simple sugar cookie and chocolate chip cookie dough. You might want to give some of them a try.
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 kiddos, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Avoid soil depravation and get your dirt on! Start a garden in your own backyard...
Check out my blog: http://www.suburbanprairiehomemaker.com and follow me on Facebook (Suburban Prairie Homemaker) and Twitter (@sphomemaker)
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Tea Lady
True Blue Farmgirl
645 Posts
Lorraine
Morris
IL
USA
645 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2011 : 12:56:36 PM
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I've had this recipe for years - a friend gave it to me, but I think its from an old Betty Crocker cookbook. Then I just saw it in the latest Folk magazine. Its a favorite at our house. They're little sandwich cookies and when you add a little food coloring to the filling, they're very festive looking and are great on a cookie/dessert tray.
Cream Wafers
Wafer Ingredients 1 cup butter 1/3 cup whipping cream 2 cups flour (Granualted sugar for dipping the wafers after cut)
Filling Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar a couple drops of milk - as needed
Make wafers first - mix together butter, flour, and whipping cream. Wrap and chill. Using half the dough at a time (its best to keep it cold) roll out onto lightly floured surface to a thickness of ~ 1/8" thick and cut into small circles - no larger than 2 inches. Press both sides of each circle in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. Prick with fork 2 or 3 times on each wafer. Bake 7 - 9 mins - until puffed and slightly browned on bottom. Let cool.
Filling - mix butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and a little milk (if it needs thinning) - you can add food coloring too.
Spread filling on wafer - then top with another wafer to make a sandwich. They are especially good with tea.
Lorraine (aka Tea Lady) Farmgirl #1819 www.birdsandteas.com |
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one_dog_per_acre
True Blue Farmgirl
1572 Posts
Trish
Sandpoint
ID
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - Dec 13 2011 : 04:18:40 AM
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I have made these twice. They re awesome! I used orange zest, orange juice, and powdered sugar for my glaze.quote: Originally posted by musicmommy
Here's the recipe for the Persimmon Cookies 2 C sugar 1 C Butter, softened 2 C persimmon pulp 2 eggs, slightly beaten 4 c flour 2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp ground cloves 1 c pecans or other nuts (optional) 1/2 c raisins
Cream together sugar and butter in a large bowl. Blend in pulp and eggs.
Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Gradually add to persimmon mixture, blending well after each addition.
Stir in nuts and raisins. Drop by Tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets and bake in preheated oven at 375 for 8 - 10 minutes.
Frost cookies while still warm.
Frosting: 3 c powdered sugar 3 Tbl butter, melted 5-6 Tbl milk
Blend together, adding enough milk to make a spreading consistency.
From "Simply In Season"
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com
“It always looks darkest just before it gets totally black.”-Charlie Brown |
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musicmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Wendy
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Dec 13 2011 : 06:37:57 AM
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Thanks for that idea! I'm still waiting for my persimmons to ripen a bit more. Then I'll try it out.
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
Edited by - musicmommy on Dec 13 2011 06:38:26 AM |
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Farm Kitchen: what is your favorite Christmas cookie recipe??? |
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