mrs. sigg's snickerdoodles

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 1 hr


• preheat oven to 400 degrees f (200 degrees c).
• cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, the eggs and the vanilla. blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.
• mix the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. roll balls of dough in mixture. place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
• bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until set but not too hard. remove immediately from baking sheets.

beth's spicy oatmeal raisin cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
• 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
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup raisins

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 12 mins Ready Time: 50 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c).
• 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 ungreased cookie sheets.
• 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!

easy sugar cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 25 mins


• preheat oven to 375 degrees f (190 degrees c). in a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. set aside.
• in a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. beat in egg and vanilla. gradually blend in the dry ingredients. roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place ungreased cookie sheets.
• bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

macaron (french macaroon)

Ingredients

• Servings: 16
• 3 egg whites
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup finely ground almonds

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 2 hrs 10 mins


• line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
• beat egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until whites are foamy; beat in white sugar and continue beating until egg whites are glossy, fluffy, and hold soft peaks. sift confectioners' sugar and ground almonds in a separate bowl and quickly fold the almond mixture into the egg whites, about 30 strokes.
• spoon a small amount of batter into a plastic bag with a small corner cut off and pipe a test disk of batter, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, prepared baking sheet. if the disk of batter holds a peak instead of flattening immediately, gently fold the batter a few more times and retest.
• when batter is mixed enough to flatten immediately into an even disk, spoon into a pastry bag fitted with a plain round tip. pipe the batter the baking sheet in rounds, leaving space between the disks. let the piped cookies stand out at room temperature until they form a hard skin on top, about 1 hour.
• preheat oven to 285 degrees f (140 degrees c).
• bake cookies until set but not browned, about 10 minutes; let cookies cool completely before filling.

french baguettes

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 1 cup water
• 2 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 50 mins


• place 1 cup water, bread flour, sugar, salt and yeast into bread machine pan in the order recommended by manufacturer. select dough cycle, and press start.
• when the cycle has completed, place dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in bulk. dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
• punch down dough. on a lightly floured surface, roll into a 16x12 inch rectangle. cut dough in half, creating two 8x12 inch rectangles. roll up each half of dough tightly, beginning at 12 inch side, pounding out any air as you go. roll gently back and forth to taper end. place 3 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. make deep diagonal slashes across loaves every 2 inches, or make one lengthwise slash on each loaf. cover, and let rise in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
• preheat oven to 375 degrees f (190 degrees c). mix egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water; brush over tops of loaves.
• bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

macaron (french macaroon)

Ingredients

• Servings: 16
• 3 egg whites
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup finely ground almonds

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 2 hrs 10 mins


• line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
• beat egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until whites are foamy; beat in white sugar and continue beating until egg whites are glossy, fluffy, and hold soft peaks. sift confectioners' sugar and ground almonds in a separate bowl and quickly fold the almond mixture into the egg whites, about 30 strokes.
• spoon a small amount of batter into a plastic bag with a small corner cut off and pipe a test disk of batter, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, prepared baking sheet. if the disk of batter holds a peak instead of flattening immediately, gently fold the batter a few more times and retest.
• when batter is mixed enough to flatten immediately into an even disk, spoon into a pastry bag fitted with a plain round tip. pipe the batter the baking sheet in rounds, leaving space between the disks. let the piped cookies stand out at room temperature until they form a hard skin on top, about 1 hour.
• preheat oven to 285 degrees f (140 degrees c).
• bake cookies until set but not browned, about 10 minutes; let cookies cool completely before filling.

raisin rats

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 cup raisins

Recipe

Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 20 mins


• preheat the oven to 400 degrees f (200 degrees c). lightly grease cookie sheets. in a small shallow dish, stir together the cinnamon and white sugar; set aside.
• in a medium bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar and nutmeg. cut in butter using a pastry blender or your fingers, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. add egg, and mix into a stiff dough. it may take a minute or two for the dough to come together. mix in raisins. roll dough into 1 inch balls, and roll the balls in the cinnamon sugar mixture. place cookies 2 inches apart the prepared cookie sheets.
• bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned just around the edges. remove from baking sheets to wire racks to cool.

easy sugar cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 25 mins


• preheat oven to 375 degrees f (190 degrees c). in a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. set aside.
• in a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. beat in egg and vanilla. gradually blend in the dry ingredients. roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place ungreased cookie sheets.
• bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

big soft ginger cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup margarine, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons white sugar

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 50 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. set aside.
• in a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. place the cookies 2 inches apart an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
• bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. store in an airtight container.

chewy sugar cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 30
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups margarine
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup white sugar for decoration

Recipe

Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Ready Time: 25 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). in a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
• in a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla. gradually stir in the dry ingredients until just blended. roll the dough into walnut sized balls and roll the balls in remaining 1/4 cup of sugar. place cookies 2 inches apart ungreased cookie sheets and flatten slightly.
• bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned at the edges. allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

the best rolled sugar cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 5
• 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 8 mins Ready Time: 3 hrs


• in a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. beat in eggs and vanilla. stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
• preheat oven to 400 degrees f (200 degrees c). roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. cool completely.

sesame snaps

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 1/4 cups quick cooking oats
• 3/4 cup sesame seeds
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 25 mins


• preheat the oven to 375 degrees f (190 degrees c). butter a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.
• melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. stir in brown sugar and vanilla. remove from heat, and stir in oats, sesame seeds and baking powder until well blended. press evenly into the prepared pan.
• bake for 7 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or golden brown. cool in the pan over a wire rack. cut into bars.

cranberry orange oat cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 dash ground nutmeg
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup fresh cranberries, roughly chopped

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 30 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). grease cookie sheets.
• in a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. mix in the applesauce, eggs, orange juice and orange zest one at a time, mixing well after each. combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg; gradually stir into the orange mixture. fold in oats and cranberries. drop by rounded spoonfuls the prepared cookie sheets.
• bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

spice cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup dried currants
• 1 cup milk, or as needed

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Ready Time: 30 mins


• preheat the oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). lightly grease cookie sheets.
• in a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. combine the flour, baking soda, and currants, and stir into the butter mixture alternately with tablespoons of milk until the flour is fully incorporated. more milk will make a softer cake-like cookie. drop by spoonfuls the prepared cookie sheets. press down lightly with a fork. if the fork is sticking, dip it in sugar or water.
• bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. let stand on the cookie sheet for a minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Finnish Pannu Kakku

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups milk

Recipe

Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Ready Time: 30 mins


• preheat oven to 400 degrees f (200 degrees c). melt the butter in a 9x13 inch pan.
• in a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, baking powder and salt. add the beaten eggs and milk; mix well. tilt the baking pan to coat all of the sides with butter, then pour the excess butter into the batter, and mix until combined. pour the batter into the prepared pan.
• bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. serve hot.

chef john's lemon bars

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• for the shortbread crust:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• for the lemon layer:
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar, or to taste

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 50 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 40 mins


• place an oven rack into middle position in oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). lightly oil an 8x8-inch baking dish.
• place 1 cup flour and butter in a mixing bowl and mash with the back of a spatula or wooden spoon until thoroughly combined. mix in 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; mash mixture together until mixture looks like a slightly crumbly cookie dough.
• moisten your fingers with a little water and press dough into bottom of prepared baking dish. use a fork to prick holes all over the crust.
• bake crust on center rack in the preheated oven until crust edges are barely golden brown, 22 minutes.
• beat eggs and egg yolks together in a bowl; whisk in white sugar and 2 tablespoons flour until smooth. add lemon juice and lemon zest; whisk for 2 minutes. pour lemon custard over crust.
• bake on center rack until custard is set and top has a thin white sugary crust, 25 minutes. let cool completely before cutting into bars. dip knife into very hot water, run around the edge, and cut into 16 squares. dust cookies with 1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar.

brown butter cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 5
• 2 cups butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup hot water

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 20 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c).
• heat butter over medium heat for 5 minutes or so, until it turns nut brown in color. the foaming and bubbling is part of the browning process, but watch it carefully so that you don't burn the butter. remove from heat, and cool slightly. reserve 1/2 cup of the butter for the frosting.
• pour remaining browned butter into a large mixing bowl. beat browned butter with brown sugar until the butter is no longer hot. mix in eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. beat thoroughly. mix in flour and chopped pecans. drop tablespoons of dough ungreased baking sheets.
• bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown around the edges. cool.
• in a medium bowl, mix the reserved 1/2 cup browned butter with 2 teaspoons vanilla, confectioners' sugar, and hot water. beat until smooth, and use to frost cooled cookies.

brown butter cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 5
• 2 cups butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup hot water

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 20 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c).
• heat butter over medium heat for 5 minutes or so, until it turns nut brown in color. the foaming and bubbling is part of the browning process, but watch it carefully so that you don't burn the butter. remove from heat, and cool slightly. reserve 1/2 cup of the butter for the frosting.
• pour remaining browned butter into a large mixing bowl. beat browned butter with brown sugar until the butter is no longer hot. mix in eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. beat thoroughly. mix in flour and chopped pecans. drop tablespoons of dough ungreased baking sheets.
• bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown around the edges. cool.
• in a medium bowl, mix the reserved 1/2 cup browned butter with 2 teaspoons vanilla, confectioners' sugar, and hot water. beat until smooth, and use to frost cooled cookies.

giant spice cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 10
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package spice cake mix
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Recipe

Preparation Time: 3 mins Cook Time: 13 mins Ready Time: 20 mins


• preheat the oven to 375 degrees f (190 degrees c). grease cookie sheets.
• in a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, baking soda and ginger. make a well in the center and pour in the water, molasses and vanilla. mix until thoroughly blended. roll into 10 balls and place them 3 inches apart the prepared cookie sheets. flatten slightly.
• bake for 13 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops are cracked and cookies are firm. remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

the best rolled sugar cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 5
• 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 8 mins Ready Time: 3 hrs


• in a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. beat in eggs and vanilla. stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
• preheat oven to 400 degrees f (200 degrees c). roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. cool completely.