I seem to have a lot of cookie recipes, don't I? While my kids were growing up, I was always making cookies. I still love to bake cookies even though they are grown and gone. I have tried hundreds of recipes over the years. It isn't just because I love to eat them, I truly enjoy making them. I find it therapeutic, it's relaxing and it brings me back to simpler times.
If someone pops in for a visit, there is nothing nicer than making a pot of coffee or tea and sitting chatting while enjoying a homemade cookie or two. Such a simple thing brings such pleasure to people. I love to bake for those I love.
On with this recipe! This is another one of my family's favorites. I have shared it with several people over the years, I am happy to share it with you too.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pkg (300g) peanut butter chips
Method
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Unless a recipe specifically calls for an electric mixer, I always do it by hand. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well. Combine dry ingredients, blend into creamed mixture. Stir in chips. Drop by teaspoons onto an ungreased (I always use a parchment lined) cookie sheet. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes. I like the edges to be a bit crispy and the centers soft, so I leave them in for the full 12 minutes. They will puff while baking and flatten while they cool. Cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Makes about 4 1/2 dozen cookies. They freeze well.
My youngest daughter's first word after "mommy" and "daddy" was "cookie". :)
This recipe is at least 80 years old. It was given to me by my mother-in-law and it was her mother's recipe. This is one of those amazing recipes that has only a few ingredients and they simply taste wonderful together. Light, crispy, buttery and oaty. Is that even a word? Well it is now!
You can make these one of two ways, either as a drop cookie or slice and bake them. They are heavenly either way!
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups oatmeal, any variety
Method
Cream softened butter with vanilla and brown sugar. Add remaining ingredients, mixing well. Roll into balls and press with a wet fork.
Let me talk about that for a minute. When I was a little girl I used to bake cookies with my maternal grandmother. Oh, the days we spent in the kitchen together. She taught me that instead of a floured fork, (which added a bit more flour the cookie) she would use a small bowl of water and a fork. Dip the fork into the bowl, knock off the excess and press down the cookie. I never used a floured fork again. I even do my peanut butter cookie hatch marks that way. Boy I miss those days in the kitchen with my grandmother, she was the sweetest woman I think I have ever met.
Anyway, back to the recipe. You can roll and flatten the cookies, or roll them into a log, then wrap them in waxed paper and put them in the fridge for several hours, or over night. Then when you are ready to bake, simply slice into 1/4" slices. Bake them on a parchment lined baking sheet, about 2" apart in a 325° F oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly, then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Makes 2 dozen 3" cookies.
