Cookies

[paiger]

I thought this would be a good thread to help people find recipes instead of starting a new thread everytime.

Anyway, I need a good sugar cookie recipe. DH and I got a cookie cutter in the shape of South Carolina, and I want to use sugar cookies..not from a box :)! I would like to start using my Kitchen Aid mixer for things other than box cake, etc!! It is my goal to become a decent baker starting w/ these cookies.

I've never made homemade cookies, so feel free to throw in other faves as well.

[paiger]

I am also going to be decorating the cookies w/ garnet and black icing. Does anyone know how to make colored icing, or where I could purchase different colored icing?

I have no idea where to start looking for this!

[IrisHope]

SUGAR COOKIES
For variety, try adding one-half cup dried currants or chopped nuts.

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Additional sugar

Using electric mixer, beat butter, oil, 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup powdered sugar in large bowl until well blended. Mix in egg and vanilla. Sift flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt over and mix in. Cover mixture and chill until firm, about 30 minutes or up to 1 day.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 2 heavy large baking sheets. Roll 1 tablespoon dough into ball. Place on prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, spacing balls evenly on sheets. Dip flat-bottomed glass into water to moisten, then dip into sugar and press dough to 1/4-inch-thick round. Repeat with remaining dough balls, dipping bottom of glass into sugar before pressing each.

Bake cookies until light brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks and cool completely.

Makes About 36.

[LRL]

You can make colored frostings using a gel color, or sometimes powered will work. I buy the gel at Sur La Table, or you can probably go to any large party supply werehouse, and they will have it.

Are you making USC cookies for a party? Just curious. :)

[amorey]

My MIL owns a bakery, and instead of using frosting on her sugar cookies, she uses melted chocolate. You can by those little wafers of different colored chocolate and melt them down and spread/drizzle them onto the cookies. I think she does this because the chocolate doesn't soak into the cookies and change the texture.

[paiger]

Are you making USC cookies for a party? Just curious. :)

Why yes, I am! I'm going to try and do it half garnet and half black. Then, after much practice, I might get creative and add a white palmetto...not for this party.

That is interesting w/ both ideas for the frosting. I will check them both out.


Do you have to do anything different to dough for dough balls vs cookie cutter methods?

[taraw]

This is the recipe I use for sugar cookies, and they are very yummy.

3 cups flour
1 Tbs baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup shortening
Mix above ingredients and set aside

In a Separate dish mix
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
4 Tbs milk
1 tsp lemon extract

Add egg mixture to the dry ingredients. Roll out dough and cut into shapes with cookie cutter. Bake on cookie sheet at 350 to 375 for 10 - 15 minutes until light brown.

[paiger]

Thanks!! I think I can do that. I'm glad to know they work w/ a cookie cutter. I've had some issue in the past even making the box cookies into cookie cutter ones.

[janders6]

Does anyone have a great shortbread cookie recipe? I haven't like the ones I've made before.

Thanks!

[kindermom]

I use this recipe. It is really simple. The shortbread melts in your mouth. This recipe makes about 24 cookies.

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
Cream the butter and sugar till fluffy.
Add flour and knead until dough breaks smoothly. If extra flour is required, add in small quantities.
Roll into small balls and press until about 1/4" thick.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until slightly golden brown on top.

[Coccinelle]

Any one got a good one to share? Thanks :)

[bethnjim]

Check over www.allrecipes.com. They have some GREAT pumpkin cookie recipes over there!

Quick note...I made the pumpkin chocolate chip bread that was posted on www.allrecipes.com and my husband and I LOVED them. He keeps begging me to make more!

[philnikki]

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup shortening (I use butter)
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (I substitute both nutmeg and cinn. with pumpkin pie spice)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) (I don't do this bc my hubby does not like nuts)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the pumpkin and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon; gradually mix into the creamed mixture. Stir in the walnuts and chocolate chips. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown. Cool on wire racks.

[Coccinelle]

Thanks for sharing!! :)

I will be cooking them tonight :D

[Leia]

When you substitute butter for shortening, is it exact quantity substitute? Like 1/2 cup butter instead of 1/2 cup shortening?

Thanks!

[PG-rated]

Here's another one - I got it from someone on the WC, and it's really yummy. They do come out very soft and cakey, so be careful not to overbake!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 Can Pumpkin (I use One Pie, the smaller can)
1 tsp baking soda
2 Eggs
--mix these together then add
2 C Sugar
1 C oil
4 Cups flour
2 tsp cinnamon
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp milk
--mix well, then add 12 oz bag choc chips (I used dark)
Bake cookies at 375 for 12 min. I greased the pan LIGHTLY, it is a soft batter and the texture is cake like. Enjoy!

[Coccinelle]

Thanks! :)

[Jane&Andy]

check out the pumpkin thread - lots of good recipes there.

here's the link: pumpkin (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=4848)

[ellidew]

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

2 cups flour
1 c quick or old fashioned oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup pumpkin
1 c semi sweet chocolate chips (or more)
(optional: in addition to chocolate chips add Halloween colored m&m’s)

Preheat oven to 350*.
Combine dry ingredients (flour through salt). Set aside.
Cream butter. Gradually add both sugars and cream until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
Alternate the additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto baking sheet leaving room for cookies to spread. Bake 10-15 minutes or until tops of cookies are dry and spring back when touched lightly. Remove from baking sheet and cool on racks.

http://www.supereggplant.com/archives/strizz%20cookies.JPG

[Sposa06]

I have several desserts I make during the holiday season, and as I was looking at my recipes today, I noticed that I have no cookies with nuts in them! I love almonds, pecans, macadamias, walnuts and even peanuts in some things. Do any of you ladies have recipes for cookies with nuts in them? Thanks so much!

[strwbrygirl]

These are quick and easy- my mom's favorite cookies from her childhood.

Ann's Butter Cookies

1/2 lb. butter
1 tbsp confectioner's sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp water
1 cup finely chopped pecans
2 cups flour

Cream butter & sugar together. Add water, vanilla, and pecans. Gradually blend in flour & salt. Roll in hand to size (balls, about 1 inch round). Bake on cookie sheet for 30 minutes at 350F. Allow to cool halfway; roll in additional confectioner's sugar while barely warm.

Enjoy!

[Amuse Bouche]

I make bourbon balls which have ground pecans in them, and pfeffernusse, which have ground almonds, but I don't think that's exactly what you're looking for.

How about these? (Recipe from Dede Wilson's Baker's Field Guide to Christmas Cookies, which I highly recommend.)

Honey Caramel Pecan Bars

Crust:
2.5 c. ap flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C. unsalted butter
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Filling:
1 c. unsalted butter
1 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
1 c. honey
1 c. heavy cream
1/4 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
3 c. pecan halves

For the crust:
Coat a 9X13 inch baking pan with nonstick spray
Combine flour and salt in a small bowl

In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy, add white sugar gradually, beating until white and fluffy. Add vanilla. Add flour mixture, 1/3 at a time, beating on low speed until blednded. Pat in an even layer in baking pan, refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake crust until light gold around edges, about 20 minutes.

For filling:

Place butter, brown sugar, and honey into sauceman and cook, stirring, until butter melts. Bring to a boil, and let boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cream, vanilla, salt and pecans. Pour filling over partially baked crust and bake until filling has darkened, about 30 minutes. Set pan on rack to cool completely, and cut into 40 bars.

[pixielou]

i use the basic recipe on the nestle tollhouse bag. i make different variations - chocolate chip walnut, butterscotch chip pecan and white chip macademia nut.

[amberfiddles]

anyone have a tried and true iced lemon cookie recipe? i'm looking for one that makes a softer cookie and has a strong lemon-y flavor. TIA! :)

[BethElena]

Anybody have a good cut out cookie recipee? The one that's in my cookbook at home stinks.

[craftyT]

This is my MIL's butter cookie recipe - they are so-o YUMMY! She usually frosts each cookie with thick/fluffy, white frosting but I imagine you can use any type of frosting/decoration on them.

Truly Sinful :D

Butter Cookies
2 C. Butter
1 C. Sugar
2 Tsp Vanilla
1 Egg
41/2 C. Sifted Flour
Cream Butter, Sugar & Vanilla. Beat In Egg. Add Flour. Refrigerate 1 Hour. Roll to 1/8” thick. Cut in shapes. Bake at 375 for 6-9 minutes. Cool & Decorate.
Yield – 11 Dozen small cookies

[BethElena]

Let me rephrase: Any that won't give me a heart attack?? :D

[craftyT]

Let me rephrase: Any that won't give me a heart attack?? :D

oops sorry... :o

My best recipes will never fall in the heart healthy category :p

[maplekitty]

My pregnant SIL was just told she needs to cut out sugar from her diet due to high glucose levels! :( She's having a hard time wth this because homemade cookies were her favourite! She tried a recipe a few days ago with cinnamon, apple sauce, oats, raisins...but she said it was *really* bland and gross.

Does anyone know any *good* sugar-free cookie recipes??

[BethElena]

No problem! I'm trying to watch my weight and should have mentioned that. :p

[wine_o_girlie]

I just use Splenda in place of "real" sugar in all recipes. Can she use Splenda?

[Rose]

I've never made sugar free cookies but there is a brand Joseph's that makes really good sugar free cookies. I've bought them off of QVC and seen them at Cost Plus.

[maplekitty]

I just use Splenda in place of "real" sugar in all recipes. Can she use Splenda?

Her doctor reccomends not because Splenda is still used from the sugarcane, or something...sorry, that was rally vague and unscentific, LOL. But no, she's on a really strict diet. Not alot of fruits...only oranges and bananas, etc.

[maplekitty]

I've never made sugar free cookies but there is a brand Joseph's that makes really good sugar free cookies. I've bought them off of QVC and seen them at Cost Plus.

Thank you!! Those are awesome, hopefully I can order soem in time for Christmas!!

[Rose]

Sarah - I am pretty sure they contain Malitol as the sweetener. They are also low carb and low WW points but are very good. They are smaller so you can eat more. :)

[Vorian's_Leronica]

I have commited to baking holiday cookies for everyone that works with my husband. thats.. 6 library branches plus support services. Not to mention family and friends.
I need assorted holiday cookie ideas.

and is there anyway to make peanut butter cookies that can be cut with a cookie cutter? the only ones i know how to make the dough is mushy so you make it into balls and flatten it, cookie cutter wouldn't work on them.

[andrew&shannah]

Chewy Molasses-Spice Cookies

Makes 36; Prep time: 25 minutes; Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes



2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 large egg

1/4 cup molasses

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a shallow bowl, place 1/2 cup sugar; set aside.

2. With an electric mixer, beat butter and remaining cup of sugar until combined. Beat in egg and then molasses until combined. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in dry ingredients, just until a dough forms.

3. Pinch off and roll dough into balls, each equal to 1 tablespoon. Roll balls in reserved sugar to coat.

4. Arrange balls on baking sheets, about 3 inches apart. Bake, one sheet at a time, until edges are just firm, 10 to 15 minutes (cookies can be baked two sheets at a time, but they will not crackle uniformly). Cool 1 minute on baking sheets; transfer to racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container, 3 to 4 days.

[andrew&shannah]

Butter Pecan Cookies
http://a444.g.akamai.net/7/444/703/20040421150537/www.marthastewart.com/images/content/feature/12edf15_e.jpg
Makes 12; Prep time: 15 minutes; Total time: 30 minutes
These delicate, buttery cookies, which get their crunchy texture from toasted pecans and a sugar coating, practically melt in you mouth.


3/4 cup pecans

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/3 cup sugar, plus more for coating

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

1. Preheat oven to 350°. On a baking sheet, toast pecans until fragrant, about 6 minutes. Let cool completely; finely chop.

2. With an electric mixer, cream butter and 1/3 cup sugar until light, about 1 minute. Beat in vanilla, salt, and flour, scraping down sides of bowl, just until dough comes together. Fold in pecans.

3. Separate dough into 12 pieces; squeeze dough to shape into balls. Roll in sugar. Place, 3 inches apart, on a baking sheet. Gently flatten with the bottom of a glass (reshape sides if necessary). Sprinkle with sugar.

4. Bake until golden brown, rotating sheet halfway through, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with more sugar. Cool cookies on a wire rack.

[andrew&shannah]

You might also check here (http://www.kraftfoods.com/main.aspx?s=community&m=community/fav_cookies_2005) for recipes

[BethElena]

a&s - thanks for that site! I'm definitely making those pecan tassies

[andrew&shannah]

a&s - thanks for that site! I'm definitely making those pecan tassies

No problem. Enjoy! :D

[Vorian's_Leronica]

thanks..wow that site is perfect.
thank you thank you thank you :)

[jrsygirl]

does anyone have any that they've tried? I made some and they came out kinda flat.

[dana b]

i always use the recipe on the quaker oats container.

[Jenean]

I get a cookie-a-day email newsletter. I just got these recipes, but haven't tried them yet:

Spicy Oatmeal Crisps

¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp ground allspice
½ tsp grated whole nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper (optional)
1 cup packed brown sugar
5 tbsp butter or stick margarine, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
½ cup regular oats
cooking spray

Heat oven to 350. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 7 ingredients (flour through pepper) in a medium bowl.

Beat sugar, butter, and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg; beat well. Stir in flour mixture and oats. Drop by level tbsp 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until crisp. Cool on pan 2-3 minutes or until firm. Remove cookies from pan; cool on wire racks. Makes 2 dozen.

Calories: 81; Fat 3.1 g; Sodium: 71 mg; Carbs: 12.2 g; Fiber: 0.7 g; Protein: 1.5 g


Cinnamon Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1-2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
2/3 cup toasted walnut halves, chopped (optional)

Whisk oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together in a large bowl.

In another large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add brown sugars gradually, beating until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down bowl once or twice. Beat in vanilla, then eggs, one at a time, scraping down bowl. Add about 1/3 of the flour mixture and mix on low speed. Gradually add remaining flour mixture, mixing just until blended. Stir in chocolate morsels and nuts, if using. Cover with plastic wrap and chill dough for at least 2 hours or overnight (or freeze at this point).

Heat oven to 325. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Drop chilled dough by generously rounded tbsp 2 inches apart onto cookie sheets; flatten cookies using your floured palm to about ¾-inch thickness. Bake until edges and tops just begin to turn light golden brown, about 11 minutes. Cookies will be a bit darker and firmer around edges, but soft on top. Place sheets on racks to cook for 5 minutes, then remove cookies from sheets and place directly on racks to cool completely.

Note: This dough freezes well, and the cookies will last 1 week at room temperature once made.

[tlew12778]

These are awesome: http://cookie.allrecipes.com/AZ/BethSpicyOatRsn.asp
I make them all the time.

[Katy]

I just now made these (http://cookie.allrecipes.com/az/BethSpicyOatRsn.asp) from Allrecipes.com. They came out great and taste SO good.

INGREDIENTS:

* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 1/2 cup butter flavored shortening (just used 1 cup of butter instead)
* 1 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (didn't have this so I omitted and added a touch more cinnamon)
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3 cups rolled oats
* 1 cup raisins

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, butter flavored shortening, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Stir in the oats and raisins. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until light and golden. Do not overbake. Let them cool for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets to cool completely. Store in airtight container. Make sure you get some, because they don't last long!

[looch]

I use the recipe on the back of the quaker oats canister, and sub in chocolate chips and dried cherries for the raisins!

[Katy]

Ladies, maybe you can help me out. I need to whip up a couple of batches of chocolate or chocolate chip/chunk cookies. For this ocassion:

1) they need to be easy since I'll be making 3-4 separate recipe batches

2) I need to be able to bake them inadvance and easily store them (3-7 days prior to being eaten)

3) I'd prefer to be able to make the dough in advance and maybe freeze them until needed

So what do you say...up for my challenge?

[Katy]

no one has any recipes to offer up? I've never known CC to let me down before (maybe I'll get some responses once the week starts up)

[KK812]

I've always used the toll house recipe :o It's easy and I've never gotten any complaints lol.

[maxandmolly]

Sorry! The only chocolate chip cookie recipe I have is the one on the back of the Nestle Tollhouse bag!

[Katy]

Aw man, it's Monday and still no answers (and I got knocked down to the bottom half of the page). Really...anyone? Anything?

[Rose]

Whatever recipe you make store a piece of bread with each batch to keep the cookies soft.

When I want chocolate I usually just make the Tollhouse recipe. Are peanut butter cookies with a hershey kiss *too* easy? They make a lot.

I have recipe that is similar to this but I don't know where it is that is very good & rich:

Triple Chocolate Cookies

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1/4 plus cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 stick unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder (Medaglia D'Oro)
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup best quality white chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups toasted pecans, coarsely chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the chocolate in a medium bowl and place over a pot of simmering water and melt completely. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt and set aside. In a bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar. Add eggs, then vanilla and espresso, and beat on high speed for 2 minutes. On low speed beat in the melted chocolate mixture until just combined. Fold in the flour mixture with a rubber spatula until just combined. Stir in the chips and pecans.
Using a small ice cream scoop, scoop the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, putting 8 cookies on each sheet. Bake for 10 to11 minutes. The surface will be dry but the inside will still be soft. It will take no longer than 10 to 11 minutes so set the timer. Cool on a baking sheet. Best eaten the day they are made. Wrap leftovers well in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_10108,00.html

I think the one above may have a couple extra ingredients but you may be able to find a different triple chocolate chip cookie. I don't think mine has expresso powder.

[Katy]

Thanks Rose. They sound yummy!

[Rose]

I just read that they are best eaten the same day, but I think you could either freeze them or use the bread trick.

[katmg]

Katy - I've got a recipe for white chocolate chip chocolate cookies. Basically, a chocolate cookie dough with white chocolate chips. Very easy recipe - easily doubled, etc. I typically make it w/o the white chocolate chips b/c I'm not crazy about them, but it's good either way.

I have the recipe at home - I'll post it for you tonight.

[Noniitis]

Katy

This is my favorite basic chocolate cookie recipe.
Unparalleled Soft Chocolate Chip Recipe
Yields 36 cookies

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups white chocolate chips
1 cup slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and almond extract. Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in the white chocolate chips and nuts. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. .

Try variations of this recipe. My DH loves when I take out the almond extract and nuts and use mint chips instead of the white chocolate. This recipe freezes like a dream in fact I have the dough and some baked cookies in my freezer right now.

[Katy]

sounds yummy! I'll need to get baking tomorrow. Here's hoping my back will start to feel better (damn those auto accidents!)

[Myra]

Noniitis, do you have to use white chocolate chips?

[katmg]

Here's the recipe I have for Black-and-White Chocolate Chip Cookies, courtesy of the Friends Cookbook.

1 c. flour
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 stick butter, softened
3/4c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 t. vanilla
1 c. white chocolate chips
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375. Stir flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt together in a small bowl and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth. Slowly beat in the dry ingredients. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.

Drop a little less than a 1/4 c. batter onto an ungreased baking sheet. With your hand, slightly flatten each piece of dough. Leave about 2 inches between each ball.

Bake until edges and tops of cookies are set, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer cookies to a rack and cool briefly.

Makes 12 oversized cookies.

I've made these with and without chips and nuts. You could also substitute another type of nut or chip quite easily. The dough makes a nice, rich chocolate cookie. It stays chewy for a few days.

[Noniitis]

Myra~ Not at all.. if you wanted really chocolately cookies go with the regular chips. Last week for a friends birthday I switched the chocolate pudding for banana pudding and the extract for molasses and the almonds for walnuts and the cookie were awesome.. like banana bread. you can do a lot of variations

[laura]

My husband just made the Chewy Chocolate Chip cookie recipe from Alton Brown's Good Eats, and they were very good. We just finished them yesterday, the 9th day after he made them, and they weren't AS good as when fresh baked, but they were still pretty darn good - and still semi-soft. You can probably find the recipe on the Food Network website.

[lml41981]

Katy, I know you saw this recipe in my LJ, but I'm posting it publicly now that I've made a batch and determined they are sinful.

Ingredients
1 12oz bag of semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cube of butter
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 cup of flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 bag of Skor bits

Directions
Preheat oven to 350...

Melt chocolate chips with the butter VERY low...best done on a double broiler...be careful...if it gets too hot its ruined. Chocolate should be thick but fully combined with butter. Remove from heat immediately and stir in the condensed milk. Now stir in flour and baking powder, now stir in the Skor bits. Bake immediately, before chocolate hardens up!

Drop teaspoonfuls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake 7-10 minutes. Cookies should be chewy and a little crusty on top.

[JuliaK]

I must be in a silly mood today because every time I see the word Tollhouse, I think of Phoebe's grandmother's recipe. Anyway... my cousin makes the famous Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies and I love em. Don't know if the batter freezes well though.

Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

(Recipe may be halved):
2 cups butter
4 cups flour
2 tsp. soda
2 cups sugar
5 cups blended oatmeal**
24 oz. chocolate chips
2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 8 oz. Hershey Bar (grated)
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

** Measure oatmeal and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey Bar and nuts. Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies

[endymion411]

I must be in a silly mood today because every time I see the word Tollhouse, I think of Phoebe's grandmother's recipe.

lol--i can't ever look at anything tollhouse without getting that accent she used in my head "t-oll-hou-ze." :)

[Rose]

Those sound so good lml!

[manda_kate]

My husband has been begging me to make some monster cookies, and I don't have a recipe for them. I've searched a few cooking websites, and have only found a few, and they all make a huge batch. Does anyone have a good recipe to share?

[KK812]

I don't know what monster cookies are, but I did a search and came up with this (http://cookie.allrecipes.com/az/LindsMnstrCkis.asp), this (http://cookie.allrecipes.com/az/MonsterCkiesVI.asp), and this (http://cookie.allrecipes.com/az/MonsterII.asp). Is that what you're looking for? You can adjust the number of cookies that the recipe makes down at the bottom. HTH!

[manda_kate]

Thanks. I searched that website, but apparently it didn't like me as I didn't come up with any of those options! I did find a recipe to try, and they are delicious!

[NicoleWisconsin]

Can you post it?

TIA

[manda_kate]

Sure thing...here it is!



INGREDIENTS


1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup butter, softened

1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups quick-cooking oats

1 cup M&M's

1 cup butterscotch chips

1 cup salted peanuts

2 cups all-purpose flour


DIRECTIONS



In a large mixing bowl, cream peanut butter, butter and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add baking soda and vanilla. Add oats, M&M's, butterscotch chips and peanuts; let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in flour (the dough will be crumbly).
Shape 1/4 cupfuls into balls. Place on greased baking sheets, about nine cookies on each sheet. Gently flatten cookies. Bake at 325° for 15-18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks. Yield: about 2-1/2 dozen.

I pressed additional M & M's into the top of the cookies before baking.

[Foley42]

I got this as an email Fwd. Even if the story is not true, I've had friends that made the cookies and said they were to die for :)

My daughter and I had just finished a salad at a Neiman-Marcus Cafe in Dallas,and we decided to have a small dessert. Because both of us are such cookie lovers, we decided to try the "Neiman-Marcus cookie." It was so excellent that I asked if they would give me the recipe, and the
waitress said with a small frown, "I'm afraid not, but you can buy the recipe." Well, I asked how much, and she responded, "Only two fifty, it's a great deal!" I agreed to that, and told her to just add it to my tab. Thirty days later, I received my VISA statement, and the Neiman-Marcus charge was $285.00! I looked again, and I remembered I had only spent $9.95 for two salads and about $20.00 for a scarf. As I glanced at the bottom of the statement, it said, "Cookie Recipe-$250.00." That was outrageous! I called Neiman's Accounting Department and told them the waitress said it was "two fifty", which clearly does not mean "two hundred and fifty dollars" by any reasonable interpretation of the phrase. Neiman-Marcus refused to budge. They would not refund my money because, according to them, "What the
waitress told you is not our problem. You have already seen the recipe. We absolutely will not refund your money at this point." I explained to the Accounting Department lady the criminal statutes which govern fraud in the state of Texas. I threatened to report them to the Better Business Bureau and the Texas Attorney General's office for engaging in fraud. I was basically told, "Do what you want. Don't bother thinking of how you can get even, and don't bother trying to get any of your money back." I just said, Okay, you folks got my $250, and now I'm going to have $250 worth of fun." I told her that I was going to see to it that every cookie lover in the United States with an e-mail account has a $250 cookie recipe from Neiman-Marcus...for free. She replied, "I wish you wouldn't do this." I said, "Well, perhaps you should have thought of that before you ripped me off!" and slammed down the phone. So here it is!

NEIMAN-MARCUS COOKIES (Recipe may be halved)

2 cups butter
24 oz. chocolate chips
4 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1 8 oz. Hershey Bar (grated)
5 cups blended oatmeal
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

Measure oatmeal, and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey Bar, and nuts. Roll into balls, and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies.

[sarahh]

From Snopes.com .... Especially in their particular case, the legend is even more improbable than usual in that:

* Until quite recently there was no such thing as a "Neiman-Marcus" cookie. They developed a chocolate chip cookie in response to the rumor.

* There is no "Neiman Marcus Cafe" at any of the chain's three Dallas-area stores. Instead, the restaurants are named Zodiac, Zodiac at North Park, and The Woods.

* Neiman Marcus does not sell recipes from its restaurants. The department store gives them away for free to anyone who asks.

(Check out the Neiman Marcus web page (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=118113&p=irol-irhome) for a bit about this piece of lore and their newly-developed chocolate chip cookie recipe.)

As to why this legend has taken on a life of its own despite persistent and detailed debunkings, it's a classic David and Goliath story. It is, after all, the little guy smacking the big, heartless corporation a swift one right across the nose, something both you and I have often longed to do. This bit of faxlore invites -- nay, demands -- participation. Painless participation too. One tap of the "Forward" key and someone who always saw herself as part of The Forces For Good (but who could never find the time to change the world) gets to enjoy that wonderfully warming self-righteous feeling that comes from Striking A Blow. All it takes is either a couple of pins and a bulletin board or e-mail capability and an alias list and your good deed of the day is done and finished before the morning's first coffee has cooled.

What's the possible slandering of an innocent company when there's a cheap 'n' easy "warm fuzzy feeling" to be had? Like, would an anonymous, forwarded-a-million-times e-mail lie to you?

[savannahgrl]

Although the story is likely not true, these cookies are to die for! My mom makes them every year for the holidays and they are so good!

[singerwife]

I'm looking for a cookie recipe that an old housemate of mine used to make for the holidays. It involved Keebler Club crackers and almonds. Basically, there was a caramelly sauce that got poured over the crackers and topped with slivered almonds. It made a toffee-like crisp cookie.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? It's such a strange combination of ingredients....but boy, those cookies were good.

[bethnjim]

I don't know if this is what you are looking for, but I found this on allrecipes.com:

Almond Bars II
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Ready In: 25 Minutes
Yields: 48 servings

INGREDIENTS:
12 graham crackers
1 cup sliced almonds
3/4 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 10x15 inch jelly roll pan.
2. Break graham crackers into 4 pieces and arrange them touching on the prepared jelly roll pan. Sprinkle the sliced almonds over the crackers. In a small saucepan, melt butter. When butter is melted, stir in the brown sugar and vanilla until smooth and remove from heat. Pour the butter mixture evenly over the graham crackers in the pan.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Watch carefully so that the edges do not burn. Cut bars while still warm and remove from pan. If the bars are stuck, put the pan into the warm oven for a minute to loosen.

[bethnjim]

I guess it could be this too:

Easy Toffee
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Ready In: 30 Minutes
Yields: 25 servings

INGREDIENTS:
1 (10 ounce) package saltine
crackers
1 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 (12 ounce) package
semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup slivered almonds
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet. Line baking sheet with saltine crackers, edges touching.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar and cook until mixture reaches 235 degrees F (112 degrees C) or a small amount of mixture dropped into cold water forms a small ball that flattens when placed on a flat surface. Pour mixture over crackers and spread evenly.
3. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate chips over hot toffee. When chips turn glossy, spread evenly with spatula. Sprinkle with almonds. Freeze 20 minutes before serving.

[bethnjim]

Or this one...

Popularity Cookies


"I call these popularity cookies because when I make them and take them to work, they make me popular! You can make these with club crackers, too."
Original recipe yield: 2 dozen

INGREDIENTS
35 soda crackers
1 cup butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup blanched slivered almonds
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Cover a sided cookie sheet with aluminum foil and line crackers on foil.
Combine butter and brown sugar in a saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Pour over crackers completely.
Bake for 5-6 minutes, watch carefully. Remove cookie sheet from oven, place it on oven door and sprinkle chips over baked crackers. When chocolate gets soft, spread over crackers with back of a spoon. Sprinkle slivered almonds on melted chocolate. Place in refrigerator for at least 8 hours. Break into cookie-size pieces. This recipe freezes well

[chefker]

Mmm..my friend made those and brought them over once, she called them "PMS crackers." :D Sweet & salty, and so damn good!

[singerwife]

Thank you! And YES, the saltine versions sound exactly like the recipe she used! Salty sweet goodness.

For real...thank you so much. I've been hunting for this recipe for what seems like forever.

[Amuse Bouche]

If you want a tried and true recipe, I've made this one at Epicurious:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/109117

I've made it with both Matzoh and wheat thins, but I imagine it would work equally well with saltines.

[jimmysgirl424]

I just tried these for the first time at a family event. OMG...SO GOOD!! And I don't have a sweet tooth at all, but these were irresistable!

I'm copying and pasting this recipe so I can make them this year during holiday baking! :D

[Rosebud]

Just wanted to post a link to the thread that has cookie baking tips in it. There are some good ideas there on how to make your cookies extra soft and yummy.

Master Cookie Tips & Questions Thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4495)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Also passing along a tasty cookie recipe. I made these at Christmas, but they'd be good year-round:

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k284/rosebud03_2006/gossip/cookies-1.jpg

1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Beat butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla and beat well. Add dry ingredients and stir until smooth.

Roll into 1-inch balls about the size of a walnut (larger if desired). Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Drain cherries and reserve juice. Press center of each ball with thumb. Place a cherry in indentation.

In a saucepan, heat condensed milk and chocolate chips until chips are melted. Stir in 4 teaspoons of cherry juice. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of mixture over each cherry and spread to cover cherry. (More cherry juice may be added to keep frosting of spreading consistency.) Bake for 10 minutes.

[Medako]

bumping this back up because the holidays are getting close and I'm going to be needing some new recipes.

And...

I'm on the hunt for a tried and true oatmeal raisin cookie recipe (or oatmeal cranberry). I've seen the ones in this thread, but thought I'd see if there are any other floating around.

[Rosebud]

Saw these on a food blog (http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/banana-chip-cookies-recipe.html) and they sound really unique and tasty:

Banana Chip Cookie Recipe

If you can't find whole wheat pastry flour, regular all-purpose white flour will work. If you can't find wheat germ, substitute an equal amount of flour. I look for organic banana chips - the ones I like are made with organic coconut oil and bananas.

1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (see head notes)
1/2 cup (toasted) wheat germ
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
scant 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup natural cane sugar (or brown sugar)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup banana chips, loosely chopped
1 cup chocolate chips
2/3 cup toasted walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees, racks in middle/upper middle. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Whisk together the flour, wheat germ, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, or stand mixer, beat the butter until lightly and fluffy, then beat in the sugar until it is the consistency of a thick frosting. Beat in the eggs one at a time, incorporating each fully before adding the next, and scraping down the sides of the bowl a few times along the way (important!). Stir in the vanilla. Add the reserved flour mix in two increments, stirring/mixing a bit between each addition (but not too much). By hand, stir in the banana chips, chocolate chips and walnuts - mix just until everything is evenly distributed.

Drop 1 heaping tablespoon of dough for each cookie onto the prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart and bake for about 7 - 8 minutes, until barely golden on top and bottom. Resist over baking, they will come out dry and not as tasty. Cook on racks.

Make about 24 cookies.