Thursday, October 11, 2012

October is National Cookbook Month

Get out your cookbook and try a new recipe. Or tweak an old recipe with new ingredients. You are the chemist in your kitchen.

Here's my favorite recipe for October given to Tastes & Treasures cookbook by League member Kay Holcombe.








GREAT PUMPKIN COOKIES from page 162 Tastes & Treasures cookbook
Ingredients
8 oz (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, gently packed
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 cup solid-pack pumpkin
2 cups semi-sweet or white chocolate chips

Directions
1.    Preheat oven to 350 F.  Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.  (The paper can be reused- just place the cookies in a different spot or turn the paper over)
2.    In the bowl of an electric mixer place the butter & beat on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute.  Turn off the mixer, scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula and add the sugars.  Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3.    Meanwhile place the flour, oats, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium sized bowl.  Gently stir with a whisk to combine.
4.    Stop the mixer and scrape the bowl.  Turn the mixer on low speed; add the eggs and vanilla, beating until incorporated.
5.    Add the flour in thirds, alternating with the pumpkin. (flour-pumpkin-flour-pumpkin-flour)  After you have added the last of the flour, mix until just combined; do not over mix.  Turn off the mixer and scrape the bowl.
6.    Place a small (walnut) sized scoop of dough 1-2 inches apart on the prepared pans.  You can also scoop the cookie dough with a tablespoon and place it on the sheet pans.
7.    Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until light brown.
8.    Remove cookies from the oven, allowing them to cool on the sheet pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Note:
* ½ t nutmeg (fresh ground, if possible) gives an added taste.
* You can add semi-sweet chocolate chips, raisins or nuts for variety.
* Makes about 6 dozen bite sized cookies.
* Store cookies in an airtight container.