Sugar Cookies

Here is a tasty little recipe we found at: http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/basic-sugar-cookie-rbk1207

• 1 1/2 cup(s) (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup(s) sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
• 4 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt

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Directions

1. In a bowl, with mixer on medium, beat butter and sugar until fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla extract. On low, beat in flour and salt.
2. Divide dough in half; shape each half into a 1/2-inch-thick disk. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill until firm.
3. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
4. On floured surface, roll dough 1/8-inch thick; cut into shapes. Transfer to ungreased baking sheet(s). Bake until lightly golden around the edges, 10 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on sheets; transfer to racks to cool. Decorate as desired; store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks, or freeze, undecorated, up to 3 months.

Best Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chewy-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cookies/

These cookies are some of the best we've ever made of any type. And they are easy!

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups quick-cooking oats

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1.	Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2.	In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Mix in the quick oats, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.
3.	Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Oatmeal Cookies in a Jar

These looked amazing in a Christmas gift basket.

1 cup of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup raisins

1. Mix together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Add to the bottom of the jar.
2. Layer brown sugar, white sugar, rolled oats, and raisins in the jar.
3. Attach a tag with the following instructions:
Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. 2. Empty jar contents into a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly. 3. Mix in 3/4 cup softened butter or margarine. Stir in one slightly beaten egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix until completely blended. Shape into walnut sized balls and place on parchment lined cookie sheets 2 in. apart. 4. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to wire racks to finish cooling.

Iced Pumpkin Cookies

Delightful recipe we found on Allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 3Tablespoons of pancake syrup
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then frost the top of the cookies with a knife.
4. To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 3 tablespoons of pancake syrup, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Peanut Butter Jelly Time Cookies

A favorite to make with a certain pretty girl! These are also a favorite for a gluten free diet.. Yum! (from the South Beach Diet Quick and Easy Cookbook)

Ingredients:
3/4 Cup granular Sugar Substitute
1 Large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Cup creamy trans-fat-free peanut butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 Cup sugar-free jam, any flavor

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix sugar substitute, egg, and vanilla with an electric mixer set on low for 3 minutes. Add peanut butter and baking soda. Mix on medium until dough comes together, about 30 seconds.

3. Form dough into 24 (2-teaspoon) balls and place on baking sheet 1 inch apart. Gently press your thumb into the center of each to make an indentation. Fill each indentation with 1/2 teaspoon jam.

4. Bake until Lightly browned on the bottom, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.