Just-In-Time Fudge
Nonstick cooking spray (I use butter-flavored PAM)
1 pound powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 stick butter, room temperature
1/4 cup milk
1 cup nuts, chopped (walnuts preferred)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Spray an 8-inch square baking dish, and set aside.
Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder to a medium, microwaveable bowl, and stir to combine.
Add butter and milk to sugar mixture, but do not stir.
Heat, uncovered, on full power for 2 minutes. After heating, stir just enough to combine ingredients. Add nuts and vanilla extract, and stir until blended.
Pour into prepared dish, and refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting into squares.
Arrange squares on a nice plate, run in place for 1 minute, muss your hair, and present the plate to loved ones with a heavy sigh, reminding them that no amount of effort is too great, as long as it makes them happy.
Phil Warner, Garfield
Soft and Chewy Caramel Cookies
Makes about 12 large cookies or 24 small cookies.
Caramel:
1/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons cubed butter
Cookie dough:
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
For caramel: Add water, sugar and salt to a pan. Boil over medium heat until it has a bronze color. Remove from heat, and carefully add heavy cream and butter (it might bubble up). Set aside, and allow to cool.
For cookie dough: Heat oven to 350. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper, and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla and almond extracts until smooth. Gradually add flour, baking soda and baking powder.
After cookie dough is smooth, add cooled caramel, and mix well.
Bake cookies for 7-12 minutes (less time for softer, more time for crunchier). Allow cookies to cool on a rack, and enjoy!
Cassidy Hurley, Greenwood
Peanut Butter Cookies
Makes about 5 dozen cookies.
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
2 sticks butter, room temperature
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking soda
Heat oven to 350. Grease cookie sheets, and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat together both sugars, peanut butter, butter, eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour and baking soda, and beat until combined. Drop by spoonful onto prepared cookie sheets; do not mash. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
This recipe is about 100 years old. It came from my cousin’s grandmother.
Erna Spath, Mountain Home