Showing posts with label National cookbook month. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National cookbook month. Show all posts

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.