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My Grandma passed away at the age of 94. She was a wonderful cook and I was lucky enough to inherit her recipes. Many date back to the 1940s and 50s. Grandma prepared them in a charming country kitchen with no running water and most of her produce came from her garden, not from the grocery store. These are made-from-scratch recipes. I wish I had spent more time with her in the kitchen and . . . I wish I had spent more time with her for so many other reasons.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Cookie - Lebkuchen

I had never heard of Lebkuchen, but Lebkuchen (or Pfefferkuchen) is a traditional German biscuit product baked for Christmas, somewhat resembling soft gingerbread.


3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup light molasses
1/4 cup honey
1 large egg
1 Tbsp lemon peel (zested)
2 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cups finely chopped citron


In a large bowl, mix at medium speed the egg, sugar, molasses, honey, and lemon zest until blended.  


In a second bowl, add flour, spices, and baking soda.  At low speed, add flour mix into sugar mixture until well blended.  Add nuts and citron.  Refrigerate (covered) for one hour.  


Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Work 1/4 of the dough at a time.  Keep the rest refrigerated.  Roll 1/4" thick between waxed paper.  Mold into shape as desired and decorate.  Bake for 10 - 12 minutes.  


Makes 2 - 3 dozen.  





Thursday, August 26, 2010

Cookie - Honey Jumbles

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup honey
3 eggs
4 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp lemon extract
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt

Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.  Beat the eggs, sugar and honey.  Stir in lemon extract and vanilla.  Then add to dry ingredients and let stand overnight at room temperature.

Roll out dough and cut with doughnut cutter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Cookie - Sour Cream Cookies

2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup sour cream
3 eggs (beaten)
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
4 1/2 cup flour

Cream butter and sugar.  Add beaten eggs.  Add baking soda mixed in the sour cream with the nutmeg.  Sift baking powder and flour and add to mixture.  Roll cookies out with four and bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Cookie - Danish Pebbernodder

1 1/2 cups lard
1 cup molasses (combine and bring to a boil)

Cool and add:
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs

Sift:
4 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Add cardamom and anise

When mixed, chill a little while; take a little chunk of dough and roll in a long thin roll the size of your ring finger.  Lay it on a cookie sheet to chill it.  Cut about 1/4" thick cut several rolls at once.  Scatter on a cookie sheet so they won't touch each other.  Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Cookie - Butterscotch Refrigerator Cookies

1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
4 cups flour
1 cup pecans (chopped)

Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla and beat until creamy.  Add all dry ingredients while beating slowly until well mixed.

Drop by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Cookie - Ginger Drop Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup light molasses
1 Tbsp vinegar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves (ground)
Pecan halves

Cream shortening and sugars.  Add egg and beat.  Add molasses and vinegar.  Sift remaining ingredients and stir into creamed mixture.  Drop by teaspoonful on a greased baking sheet.  Top with a pecan half.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes.  Check frequently.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Cornflake Cookies

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup coconut
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal
2 cups cornflakes
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
nuts

Mix in order given, sifting flour, baking soda, and baking powder together.  Roll in balls and place on greased baking sheet and flatten with fork.  Bake at 350 degrees.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Cookie -Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup raisins
2 cups oatmeal
2 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp soda
1/4 tsp salt

Grind raisins and oatmeal in meat grinder.

Cream shortening and sugar.  Add eggs, raisin and oatmeal mixture, and then dry ingredients.

Form in balls, flatten and bake.  Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Cookie - Swedish Christmas Cookies

1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 Tbsp cream
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg white
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp vanilla

Cream butter and sugar.  Add egg yolk, cream, vanilla and mix well.  Add flour sifted with baking powder and then chopped nuts.  Form dough into small balls.  Dip in egg white and chopped pecans.

Make a small indentation in center of balls after placing them on cookie sheet.  Fill indentation with jelly or a red or green cherry half.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Dessert - Orange Slice Bars

1 lb candy orange slices
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 lb brown sugar
4 eggs (beaten)
1 cup chopped nuts
vanilla

Cut candy in small pieces with scissors dipped in cold water.  Add to flour and salt.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Pour into 9 x 9" pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Cut while warm.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Cookie - Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream:
1 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs (beaten)

Dissolve:
1 tsp baking soda in 1 tsp hot water

Mix well with 2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp salt

Add:
12 oz of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

Drop by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes.

I like to take them out of the oven before they are completely done.  I like them really gooey.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Cookie - Crinkle Cookies

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg beaten
1/4 cup molasses
2 1/2 cup flour (or more)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger


Shape into balls and dip into sugar and press flat.  Sprinkle drops of water on top of cookies.  Bake at 375 degrees 12 - 15 minutes.  (Dip glass in water and press cookies.)

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Cookie - Oatmeal Crispies

Thoroughly cream
   1 cup shortening
   1 cup brown sugar
   1 cup white sugar
Add 2 eggs (beaten)
   1 tsp vanilla and beat well
   1 1/2 cup flour sifted with 1 tsp salt
   1 tsp baking soda
   3 cups quick oatmeal
   1/2 cup nuts

Form into a long roll and chill.  Slice 1/4" thick and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Frosting - Butter Icing

3 Tbsp butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla

Heat butter until browned, stirring constantly.  Slowly beat in powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.

Cookie - Cashew Drop Cookies

1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/3 cup sour cream
1 cup salted cashew nuts (broken)

Cream shortening and sugar.  Add egg and vanilla.  Sift together dry ingredients.  Add to creamed mixture, alternating with sour cream.  Stir in nuts.

Drop by teaspoonful 2" apart on a cookie sheet.  Bake in 400 degree oven for 8 - 10 minutes.  Frost with butter icing. Top with half cashew.