Recipe Corner: Holiday Cookie Favorites

I personally have never been too proud of my cookie making skills unless, of course, I use the quick and easy pre-made dough from the grocery store. Even then, it helps if it is already cut into cookie shapes. However, this holiday season we went on a cookie baking spree. The results—we are all craving more homemade cookies. Check out our three favorite cookies, but only try them if you are ready to give up store bought cookies for good.

CHEWY BROWNIE COOKIES
(taken from Santa’s Favorite Cookies) 1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
2/3 Crisco stick or 2/3 cup Crisco all vegetable shortening
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips(12oz package)

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place sheets of foil on counter for cooling cookies.

Combine brown sugar, shortening, water and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended. Beat eggs into creamed mixure.

Combine flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda. Mix into creamed mixture at low speed just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop rounded measuring tablespoons of dough 2 inches apart onto greased baking sheet.

Bake one baking sheet at a time at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes or until cookies are set. Cool two minutes before placing on foil.

HERSHEY'S GREAT AMERICAN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
(Taken from Santa’s Favorite Cookies)1 cup (2 sticks) butter, soft
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add eggs; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in chips and nuts. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

COWBOY COOKIES2 cups flour
2 cup oatmeal
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 sticks oleo (that’s butter)
2 cups pecans
1 tsp. soda
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix butter and sugar; add eggs. Then add flour, baking powder, soda, salt, oatmeal and vanilla. Add nuts. Batter will be stiff. Drop with teaspoon onto baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees until brown.