Catherine's Recipe Box

Note:  We mainly call these Icebox cookies or Cinnamon Sticks.  They are excellent for breakfast, lunch or dinner (especially if egg nog is present!). Ingredients 3 1/2 cups flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tbsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt 1 cup butter or shortening 1 cup brown sugar (packed) 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 cup finely chopped walnuts Directions Sift or whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon & salt together.   Work butter until soft & work in both sugars, add eggs which have been well beaten.   Mix in dry ingredients & nuts until well combined.   Divide dough in thirds.  Make a long oval loaf of each third and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.  Chill overnight or up to 3 days.   Cut loaf in half long way to make small cookies, leave loaf in one big piece for "plank sized" cookies. Slice loaf in 1/4" pieces.  Bake on a cookie sheet and bake  @ 350. About 7 minutes for small cookies and 10 minute...

Note: These are reminiscent of ginger snaps, except they are thinner and have a much darker flavor and color. Delicious! When you are rolling these, keep the dough (and your hands) as cold as possible. Keep the dough that you are not using in the freezer or it will be VERY STICKY. Ingredients 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 3/4 tsp baking soda 2 tsp ginger 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup molasses (not blackstrap) 1 large egg Granulated sugar, for rolling Directions 1) Whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon , and salt. 2) In another bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and molasses. Add the egg and beat for one minute. 3) Blend in the flour mixture. A VERY soft dough will form. 4) Divide the dough in half and wrap in plastic. Freeze for 45 minutes or longer. 5) Shape teaspoonfuls into balls and roll in graulated sugar. 6) Place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 7) Bake at 350F for 9 to 11 minute...

Note: Yum! Ingredients 1 cup flour 1 cup oats (quick or regular) 2/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/2 cup Butter Fruit Jam Directions 1) Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. 2) Cut in butter until combined. 3) Reserve out 1/2 cup of mixture. 4) Press the rest firmly into an 8X8 pan. 5) Spread on a thin layer of fruit jam & sprinkle reserved oat mixture on top. Be careful not to get jam on the sides of the pan. 6) Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. 7) Let cool & cut into bars. (You will probably need to use a sharp knife.) source: http://www.frugalupstate.com/2009/05/recipe-oatmeal-fruit-bars.html

Note: Mike LOVED these - I believe the words "awesome" and "delicious" were used. I wasn't all that impressed, but they are good. The original recipe called for whole wheat flour, which I never buy, so this recipe is edited to reflect my substitution. Also, these did not spread at all. Ingredients 1 ripe banana, mashed ½ cup granulated sugar ¼ cup brown sugar ½ cup peanut butter ¼ cup water 1 egg 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour ¼ cup wheat germ ½ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 2 cups rolled oats (quick or regular) ½ cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, peanuts, whatever you like!) 1 cup raisins (or dried cranberries, or chocolate chips) Directions 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2) In a mixing bowl, mash the banana. Mix in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, water and egg. Stir until creamy. 3) In a seperate bowl, mix the flour, wheat germ, baking soda and salt. Mix thoroughly and add to the wet mixture. Stir until c...

Note: These came out wonderfully. I have adapted the recipe a bit due to the fact that I have a need to make teeny-tiny cookies. My mom says this is something that is in my genes. I think it's because I'd rather have 5 cookies than just one. :-) Big thanks to Meredith from Like Merchant Ships for this recipe - they might just turn into a new Christmas favorite! Ingredients 2 sticks butter 1-1/2 cups sugar 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla 2-1/2 cups flour 2 tsp finely shredded orange zest 2 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted* *Frugal substitution: 6 Tbsp. cocoa powder and 2 Tbsp. shortening, melted and combined. I used 3-ish Tbsp. of milk chocolate chips, I think. I figured out how much 2 oz was. Directions 1) Beat butter with sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add egg and vanilla. Add flour in intervals, scraping sides of bowl often. 2) Divide dough in 2. Stir orange zest in 1 half; stir melted chocolate in the other half. Wrap dough balls separ...