Cookies

Cookies are one of the nicer desserts: you can whip up one batch or several at once, have enough to share with others, small enough to have one or two (or more)...

Here are six yummy cookie recipes to help you through the day, including Cheesecake-Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies and Dirty Chai Earthquake Cookies. Enjoy!

GRANDMA'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

This was one of my grandmother's recipes, along with the oatmeal cookie recipe that follows. You can find them in my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking.





Ingredients

1/2 C butter

1/2 C peanut butter

1/2 C sugar

1 egg, well beaten

1-1/4 C flour

3/4 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

Directions

Cream butter and peanut butter together. Add sugar gradually and cream thoroughly. Add egg. Sift flour once before measuring. Sift flour, soda, baking powder and salt together and add to creamed mixture. Chill dough well, then form into balls the size of walnuts. Place balls on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork dipped in flour, making criss-cross pattern. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

GRANDMA'S OATMEAL COOKIES



Another one of my grandmother's recipes. When it came to baking, cookies were her specialty. You can also find these in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking

Ingredients

1 C flour

1 C brown sugar

3 C quick cooking oatmeal (NOT the instant oats!)

1 C butter or margarine

1/4 C boiling water

1-1/2 tsp. baking soda

Directions

Mix flour and brown sugar. Add oatmeal; stir. Melt butter; add to dry ingredients. Mix baking soda into boiling water; add to other ingredients, stirring well. Place batter into loaf pan, lined with aluminum foil and place in freeze for several hours. Slice and bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

Oatmeal Cookie dough, taken from the freezer; showing first cuts before baking



Then cut down the center, like so:



Placed on parchment paper-covered baking sheet, for easier handling



CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO OATMEAL COOKIES

Makes 48 cookies.

From the December 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 75. This begins, “Take chocolate chip cookies to the next level with this espresso-spiked dough that's laced with chewy oats.”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3/4 cup all-purpose flour or oat flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

4 oz. (1 stick) margarine, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup cooled espresso or strong coffee

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1-1/2 cups oats

1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Ingredients

Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda in bowl.

Cream margarine and sugar together with electric mixer in bowl. Beat in espresso and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time, adding up to 1/2 cup more if necessary to make thick dough. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.

Divide dough in half. Transfer each dough half to large sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper. Use plastic wrap to shape dough into 2 2-inch-diameter logs with plastic wrap or wax paper. Wrap tightly, and chill 2 hours, or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Slice dough logs into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Transfer slices to greased or parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Bake 8 to 11 minutes, or until cookies look dry on top. Cool cookies 3 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to wire rack.

nutritional information Per Cookie: Calories: 56; Protein: less than 1 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 43 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g; Sugar: 4 g; vegan

DIRTY CHAI EARTHQUAKE COOKIES

This comes from Susan Spungen at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Susan wrote, “In case you’re wondering about the name of this cakey, chewy-edged cookie, which nearly explodes through its sugary crust, it’s a nod to a coffee bar creation in which a shot of espresso tops off a cup of masala chai, the Indian spiced tea. It’s right at home on a traditional holiday cookie plate, thanks to its festive cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves. Feel free to add a little freshly grated nutmeg, if you’re so inclined. A strong coffee flavor adds nuance; black pepper lends a spicy kick; and malted milk powder, browned butter and brown sugar all contribute toasty warm notes to this craveable treat.”

Time: 45 minutes, plus chilling; Yield: 2 dozen cookies.

This was featured in “12 Stunning Cookies That Will Impress Everyone You Know,” and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020652-dirty-chai-earthquake-cookies.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon finely ground espresso (not instant espresso) or finely ground coffee

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (1 stick)

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons malted milk powder, such as Carnation brand

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon finely ground black pepper

2 large eggs

3/4 cup light brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract or paste

1/4 cup granulated sugar, for rolling

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted, for rolling

Preparation

Put espresso or coffee in a small metal bowl. Put butter in a small saucepan, and cook over medium-high heat, swirling and stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula, until nutty brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the butter to the bowl with the espresso and stir to combine. Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally, while you prepare the rest of the cookie.

Combine the flour, malted milk powder, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine thoroughly and set aside.

Combine eggs and light brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until well combined and slightly paler, about 3 minutes, scraping bowl as needed.

Add the vanilla and the butter mixture, then mix on low speed until combined. Add the flour mixture, then mix again on low until combined. Transfer dough to a resealable glass or plastic container, and chill thoroughly, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Put granulated sugar and confectioners’ sugar into two separate bowls. Use a small cookie scoop to portion dough into heaping tablespoons (about 25 grams each). Roll into smooth balls and drop a few at a time into the bowl of granulated sugar, rolling to coat. Transfer to the bowl with the confectioners’ sugar. Roll gently, coating well, then transfer to a parchment- or silicone mat-lined baking sheet, leaving at least 2 inches between cookies. Place in freezer until firm, about 10 minutes.

Bake until cookies are golden underneath but still quite tender (they will firm up as they cool), 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool a few minutes on the baking sheets and transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week.

CARAMEL APPLE SNICKERDOODLES

This comes from the Tablespoon newsletter. It begins, “Dulce de leche is the secret ingredients that gives these cookies their gooey hidden center.” Prep Time: 20 min; Total Time: 1 hr 45 min; Servings: 9

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 can (13.4 oz) dulce de leche (caramelized sweetened condensed milk)

1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated sugar cookies

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon apple pie spice

Directions

Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. Spoon 9 heaping teaspoons dulce de leche on cookie sheet. Place cookie sheet in freezer 1 hour. Transfer remaining dulce de leche to covered container, and refrigerate for another use.

Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or spray cookie sheet. In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Stir or knead in flour until well combined. Form dough into 9 balls. Flatten each ball into 2-inch round; place 1 frozen dulce de leche dollop on center of each round. Shape dough around dulce de leche, sealing to cover completely. In small bowl, mix sugar and apple pie spice. Roll each ball in sugar mixture. Place 1 inch apart on cookie sheet.

Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.

CHEESECAKE-STUFFED RED VELVET COOKIES

This comes from the Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “The classic flavors of red velvet cake are transformed into cookies with the cream cheese baked right inside.”

Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes; Active Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 12 cookies; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Filling:

One 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons sour cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cookies:

1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour, scooped and leveled (see Cook's Note)

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, scooped and leveled

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1-1/4 cups granulated sugar

1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted

1 tablespoon buttermilk

1 teaspoon red food coloring

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs

Confectioners' sugar, for coating

Directions

Watch how to make this recipe.

Make the filling: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, sour cream and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the filling at a time onto the parchment so that you have 12 dollops. Freeze until solid, about 2 hours.

Make the cookies: Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. Whisk together the granulated sugar, butter, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla and eggs in another bowl. Fold the flour mixture into the sugar mixture with a rubber spatula until smooth. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes (it will still be soft).

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.

Coat your hands generously with confectioners' sugar and scoop a heaping tablespoon of the cookie dough into your hand. Put one of the frozen cream cheese dollops in the middle of the dough and place another tablespoon of the dough on top of the cream cheese. Shape the dough around it to completely enclose the cream cheese, and then roll to coat in the confectioners' sugar. Repeat with the remaining dough and cream cheese, coating your hands in confectioners' sugar as needed.

Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake until the cookies are firm around the edges and can be easily lifted with a spatula, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the trays for 10 minutes, and then transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.

Cook's Note

When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO OATMEAL COOKIES

Makes 48 cookies.

From the December 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 75. This begins, “Take chocolate chip cookies to the next level with this espresso-spiked dough that's laced with chewy oats.”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3/4 cup all-purpose flour or oat flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

4 oz. (1 stick) margarine, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup cooled espresso or strong coffee

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1-1/2 cups oats

1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Ingredients

Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda in bowl.

Cream margarine and sugar together with electric mixer in bowl. Beat in espresso and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time, adding up to 1/2 cup more if necessary to make thick dough. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.

Divide dough in half. Transfer each dough half to large sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper. Use plastic wrap to shape dough into 2 2-inch-diameter logs with plastic wrap or wax paper. Wrap tightly, and chill 2 hours, or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Slice dough logs into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Transfer slices to greased or parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Bake 8 to 11 minutes, or until cookies look dry on top. Cool cookies 3 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to wire rack.

nutritional information Per Cookie: Calories: 56; Protein: less than 1 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 43 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g; Sugar: 4 g; vegan

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