cookie #7: molasses crinkles

my last few cookies from my cooky book project have been fine, just not ones that will become family favorites but these cookies are so wonderful! they feel like the perfect fall & winter treat! they are spicy & sweet (but not too sweet, just right for you kelly!), very similar to a gingersnap and perfect with a cup of tea or cocoa!

recipe:

-3/4 cup shortening

-1 cup brown sugar (packed)

-1 egg

-1/4 cup molasses

-2 1/4 flour

-2 tsp soda

-1/4 tsp salt

-1/2 tsp cloves

-1 tsp cinnamon

-1 tsp ginger

-granulated sugar

mix shortening, sugar, egg and molasses and thoroughly. measure flour by dipping method or by sifting. blend all dry ingredients; stir in. chill.

heat oven to 375. roll dough in 1 1/4" balls. dip tops in sugar. place balls, sugared side up, 3" apart on greased baking sheet. sprinkle each with 2 or 3 drops of water. bake 10 to 12 minutes or just until set but not hard. makes 4 dozen cookies.

my notes:

i used butter instead of shortening so my cookies were flatter, crisper on the edges and chewy in the middle...a lovely combo really. i sprinkled water on 1 dozen but skipped it on the rest, it seemed unnecessary. and can i just say again, i love these cookies!

xo,

carly

more brownies

after cookie #6 cocoa brownies, i've been feeling super excited to find a go-to brownie recipe so this one was next on my list. from the cooking classy blog, this is a great recipe, a nice chewy brownie with a super delicious frosting (and it's even better the next day).

however it's not quite the brownie i'm looking for. i'm sure i will find a way to taste test more brownies...back to the kitchen!

xo, carly

grateful

something about this time of year makes me feel especially grateful. maybe it's because fall is my favorite season or maybe it's the impending holidays but whatever the reason i'm feeling pretty thankful for a lot of special things in my life these days.

halloween candy...no just kidding! well i do really love those fun size treats and we all know i love sugar but that's not the kind of thing i'm feeling grateful for.

my husband...yesterday my tire blew out while i was driving by myself on the freeway. i was upset & scared and my sweet husband drove 50 miles to put the spare tire on my car. then he took me for my favorite pumpkin pancakes and followed me home to make sure i was safe. pretty awesome guy right?

these sweet girls (& their wonderful parents)...they are such good friends to shaun & i. they invite us to do fun things (like the swan trail pumpkin farm), they make us laugh a lot and they are willingly & gorgeous models.

and i'm just so grateful for everything fall! the cold & sunny days and the blustery, rainy ones too. the pumpkin muffins, tea, candles, bread...basically anything pumpkin but especially the pumpkin pie bagels at panera (oh my goodness!). hot drinks, cuddly blankets, scary movie nights...i could go on but i'll stop.  

hope your life is full of good things too!

xo,

carly

p.s. i just have to say there is one thing i don't feel grateful for, corn mazes. see tammy t's blog for her take on our experience...find it here.

cookie #6: cocoa brownies

do brownies count as cookies? normally i would say they are their own food group but they are in the cookbook...and i've been on a little hunt to find a really wonderful brownie recipe because i'm embarrassed to admit that even with all the cooking and baking that i do, i still make duncan hines brownies from a box. and while i really love duncan, i was super excited to try these cocoa brownies!

recipe:
-1/2 cup shortening
-1 cup sugar
-2 eggs
-1 tsp vanilla
-2/3 cup flour
-1/2 cocoa
-1/2 tsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/2 chopped walnuts

heat oven to 350. mix shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla until well blended. measure flour by dipping method or by sifting. blend dry ingredients; mix in. stir in nuts. spread in well-greased pan, 8x8x2. bake about 30 minutes. cool; cut into 2" squares. makes 16 brownies.

my notes:
i used butter instead of shortening and only later realized that vegetable oil might have been an even better substitution. and i skipped the walnuts because i'm allergic, lucky you if you can eat them. also i made 2 batches, 1 following the recipe and it was just a little bittersweet for my taste. the next had an extra cup of sugar and was a little more my style, a little more milk chocolate. alas, this is still not the wonderful brownie recipe i'm looking for. i'm planning to try this one next.

xo,
carly