February 2007

Vanilla Chip Maple Cookies

Ingredients: 1 cup shortening 1/2 cup butter, softened 2 cups packed brown sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon maple flavoring 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 cups vanilla or white chips 1/2 cup chopped pecans

FROSTING: 1/4 cup butter, softened 4 cups confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon maple flavoring 4 to 6 tablespoons milk 3-1/2 cups pecan halves

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, cream the shortening, butter and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla and maple flavoring. Combine the flour and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in vanilla chips and pecans. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar. Beat in maple flavoring and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Frost cooled cookies. Top each with a pecan half.

Yield: About 7 dozen.

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January 2007

Frosted Ginger Creams

Take a moment to enjoy the sweet, quiet moments with a sweet, delicious treat. Make these scrumptious treats and save them to sit and enjoy when you're alone and taking in some much needed "sweet" time. This month's Sweet Treat is Frosted Ginger Creams

Photo from www.tasteofhome.com

Ingredients:

¼ cup shortening	1 Eggs
½ cup sugar	1/3 cup molasses
2 cups all-purpose flour	1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon baking soda	½ teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon	½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ cup water

Frosting:

1 ½ ounces cream cheese, softened	½ teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons butter, softened	1 to 2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Beat in egg and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with water (dough will be soft).

Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 400 degrees for 7-8 minutes or until tops are cracked. Remove to wire racks to cool.

In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and enough lemon juice to achieve spreading consistency. Frost cookies. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: about 4 dozen.

Yum, Yum! Try these delicious cookies and spend some "sweet" time for yourself. You can find this recipe and others at www.tasteofhome.com

Enjoy!