Friday, December 18, 2009

Cookies, Anyone?

Last Sunday, a group of friends met for a cookie exchange~like we needed cookies to eat! We really wanted the opportunity to get together. Our time that afternoon was very special and we had a wonderful selection of cookies to exchange. Several of the gals mentioned cookie experiences from past holidays as we lunched on home made tomato soup, grilled cheese and egg salad sandwiches.
This was the first cookie exchange for most of us. There must be a thousand different methods to this exchange madness, however, we managed to make certain we had plenty to take home.
Trying to remember the cookie I preferred the most around the holidays, the classic Peanut Butter Blossoms came to mind. These are a one bite and disappear cookie, good frozen or served at room temperature and easy to prepare. I loved these cookies as a child and as an adult, I will root around the cookie tray to single out the Peanut Blossoms ! I don't do this all the time!

Ingredients:
48 Hershey's Kisses
1/2 c. shortening
3/4 c. creamy peanut butter
1/3 c. light brown sugar
1/3 c.granulated sugar
1 egg
1 t.vanilla
2 T. milk
1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
dash of salt
Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Beat the shortening and the peanut butter until well blended. Add the sugars and beat until fluffy. Add the egg, milk and vanilla. Stir together the flour, baking soda and a dash of salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll dough balls in the granulated sugar; place on greased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a kiss into the center of each cookie. Remove cookie after a few minutes of cooling and then place on racks to cool.



9 comments:

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

You know, I just bought the Kisses, because visions of these cookies have been dancing through my head! I'm not much of a cookie baker, so it remains to be seen if I will bake the cookies, or eat the kisses first!

Jann said...

t.w.~these are the best and everyone loves them`go ahead,give them a try!

Simona Carini said...

I don't have any sweet cookie memory from my childhood, as my mother never baked cookies, so I am creating adult cookie memories. Your get-together sounds like fun and your favorite cookies look adorable.

K and S said...

yummy! my mom always makes spritz cookies with a cookie dough gun, my job was to decorate with sprinkles.

Anonymous said...

We had a wonder-full time, Jann, and hope we continue the tradition yearly! I haven't dared get on the scales since, but have been motivated to walk daily to assuage my guilt!

The tomato soup was the best ever and how can you make grilled cheese gourmet??? You always amaze me.

I must get my stove hooked up...

Love,
Marcia

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

These cookies with the kisses bring back such fond memories. Your cookie exchange looks awesome.
Sam

Country French Antiques said...

These are my favorite too!
Today I'm in the kitchen and these are first on my list.
Hope you have a blessed Christmas and Bonne Annee!

Christine said...

Friends gathering together is always a special and nurturing time, no matter the reason. I love the festive look of those peanut butter kisses!

Christine said...

PS - It's so nice to see you back, Jann. I've missed you.