Cookies, continued...

The decorating portion of my sugar cookie experiment did not pan out.  I will try it again at a time when I can devote more energy/time to making them work.

Tonight, it is random cookie night.  I am making some cookies to bring to work, and am using the following recipe:

1 c butter
1/2 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all-purp flour
1 t baking soda
2 t baking powder

1 t salt

2 t vanilla
1-1/2 c  oats
1 c mini peanut butter cups

1/2 c chopped bittersweet chocolate
 

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees

* Combine the butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla
* In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt

* Add dry to wet mixture & stir until blended
* Stir in the oats, mini peanut butter cups, and chocolate

* Grease a cookie sheet (or use parchment) and spoon dough in 1-1/2 inch balls onto the sheet

* Bake for 8-10 minutes
* Cool on rack

I also added my usual spice blend, flax seed, and hemp seed.  I didn't have quick oats, so I used a multi-grain cereal.

Sugar Cookies I -- Beaver Nation Part 1

For the most part, I am a good cook.  I can follow a recipe... I can improvise.   I have, in my culinary travels, come upon a few items that I just can't seem to master... sugar cookies is one of them.  I did make some decent Halloween cookies a year or two back...

... but every other time I've tried to make them, it's been a disaster.  Dough spreads out when baking, or cookies fall apart or icing looks ridiculous (even the snow globes were borderline).  Whatever, sugar cookie dough is not my friend.  Not being one to give up easily (i.e. stubborn), I am determined to find a go-to recipe for sugar cookies.  Today is recipe #1, attempt #1.

The little chipmunk looking cookie is supposed to be a beaver.   The shirt is... a shirt.

This seems to be a good recipe for me, as the cookies did not puff or spread while baking.  It is always nice when they retain their shape.  They came out of the oven just in time for my son to wake up, come into the kitchen, and *taste test* the entire first batch.

Sugar Cookies  -- Recipe 1
Mix and set aside:
1/2 tsp. salt
3 C. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
Beat until fluffy:
1 C. butter
1 C. sugar
Add to butter mix:
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
Mix wet together, and then blend in dry ingredients, just until incorporated.  Flatten into disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in fridge for 1 hour.  Roll out 1/4" thick, cut into shapes, put on parchment lined sheet pan, and chill for 15 minutes.  Bake 8-10 minutes, or until starting to brown around edges.  Cool on pan for a few minutes and then transfer to cooling rack.

*I added a pinch of ginger and cinnamon -- just because I can't leave well enough alone.