Bunny Cookiepops

As you have probably guessed I love to bake and cook. I usually have more ideas for my blog from this than sewing. Sewing is a hobby I don't get much time for anymore, but cooking I do everyday. I once read another quilters blog who also liked to cook and she mentioned that once she does a whole day of sewing, the last thing she wants to do is cook because she has used up all her creative energy on the sewing. I feel the same way. On those days that I miraculously have time to sew all I do for food is leftovers or dare I say "take out"(which is usually not in the budget). But most of the time it is the cooking that takes away that creative energy. So here I go with another cooking/baking experience that I want to share with you. I hope to do some sewing soon.

My children love to bake with me and cut out sugar cookies are their favorite. I have tried various recipes and I have finally found one that I think tastes great and easy to make. I found it on the Land O Lakes butter box a few years ago. It's called the "Best Ever Butter Cookies".
We do lots of sugar sprinkles and I like to make a little icing to decorate them.
I made some as "cookiepops" for my daughter's 1st grade class. I was the mystery reader and I wanted to bring in something on a spring/Easter theme. I saw the sticks at Walmart along with some cookie molds that showed where to place the sticks. The molds were $9.00 and at first I was going to get them. Then I realized I had a bunny cookie cutter and that I should be able to just place the stick behind the cookie and bake it in. It worked. And the sticks were only $1.99. I love it when I save some money.

One tip I can give you is when you place your cookies on your baking sheet, slip the stick underneath the cookie and press down slightly. Bake it and presto you have a cookiepop.

I wrapped mine up in little clear treat bags from Wilton. I wanted to tie them with a pretty ribbon but time was not on my side so I just used the silver ties that came with the bags. In the end it was easier for the kids to open and/or save the cookies for the bus ride home.

So bake some for Easter. The kids will love them.

Have a great day!

Vera

Snickerdoodles

I thought it was time for another recipe. This is my children's very favorite cookie - Snickerdoodles. I learned to make these when I was in junior high- aka middle school. We had "home economics" back then and I must confess it was a lot more interesting than algebra! I even have my original recipe card I typed up on my Smith Corona portable typewriter. Now I'm really showing my age.

I've made a few changes over the years. Butter instead of shortening, adding some milk and vanilla extract along with more flour. I really like the consistency of the dough. I chill it for an hour. That really helps when you roll it out into balls and dredge it in cinnamon sugar.

Well, this week my son was "Star of the Week" and begged me to make the cookies for his 2nd grade class. I don't need to be asked twice. I baked a batch and wrapped them up.

This is an easy and fun cookie to make. You can get the kids involved (if you have some). Mine love to roll the dough in the cinnamon sugar. So here's the recipe.

Enjoy!

Vera

Snickerdoodles

1 cup softened butter (2 sticks)

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tablespoon milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 1/3rd cup sifted flour

2 tsp. cream of tartar (found in the baking aisle with the spices)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

Cinnamon Sugar- 1/3rd cup sugar mixed with 1 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400

• Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
• Add eggs one at a time. Mix well
• Add milk and vanilla extract. Mix well
• Sift flour along with cream of tartar, baking soda and salt and add to butter mixture. Mix until flour is incorporated into mixture.
• Chill for one hour in the refrigerator.
• Shape dough with hands into teaspoon size balls.
• Roll in cinnamon sugar and place on an ungreased cookie sheet 2" apart. (Cookies spread during baking process.) I line my with "silpat" liners just in case but you don't have too.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.