Tag Archives: SHPC

Last week was KidStuf week at SHPC. I had been eyeing this recipe and thought it would be good since I could give half to KidStuf and keep half for us. James and I both liked them, but they are a slightly crispy cookie and James prefers softer cookies. Somewhat similar to my Mom’s Sugar Drop Cookies, but crispy.

Cinnamon Crackle Cookies

Cinnamon Crackle Cookies

Source: The Taste of Home Baking Book, but you can also find a printer-friendly version here

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons grated orange peel (I omitted since I didn’t have any oranges)
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel (I used slightly more since I omitted orange peel)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• additional sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, softening and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. In another bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, cream of tartar, nutmeg, orange and lemon peel and salt. Gradually add to the creamed mixture.

Shape into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Yield: 6 dozen (I only got 5.5 dozen.)

Ready to Go in the Oven

I recently joined the committee at SHPC that makes dessert for the KidStuf Program, a monthly extravaganza for parents to engage kids more deeply in conversations about scripture and our Christian faith. For February, I made these Peppermint Pinwheels, a refrigerator cookie. I saw this recipe on a Food Network special before Christmas and I thought the red and white cookies would also be good for Valentine’s Day. I gave most of them to the KidStuf Program and saved some for James to take to work in his lunch.  They were quite tasty (we also had a few the night I baked them) and were really pretty easy to make.

Peppermint Pinwheels

Peppermint Pinwheels

Source: Food Network

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (I used mint extract since I didn’t have any peppermint)
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring

Directions:

In medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking powder; set aside. In large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Add egg and beat until incorporated. Add teh vanilla and peppermint extract. Gradually add the dry mixture, beating until combined. Remove half of the mixture from the bowl. Add food coloring, beating until fully combined. In waxed paper, roll out dough to form a large rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Repeat this step with the uncolored dough. Refrigerate 2 hours.

Tear out 1 sheet of waxed or parchment paper. Sprinkle surface with confectioner’s sugar to prvent sticking. Very carefully, slide the red dough on top of the white dough. Trim edges if uneven and patch is necessary. Roll dough into a log, creating a swirl effect. Place the dough back in the refrigerator and let chill for 2 hours. To prevent a flat bottom place in round glass and lay glass on side in refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Slice the dough into 1/4-inch slices and place on a parchment lined sheet about 1-inch apart. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack.

Yield: 3 dozen

Slicing Cookies

Baking in the Oven