December 8th 2009 Move over Julia…..Mom’s got a great recipe to share!
“It’s so beautifully arranged on the plate - you know someone’s fingers have been all over it.” ~Julia Child
The baking started last week with my Moms granola. Tonight I’ll be adding another favorite to my Holiday baking. This one is a breeze! My Mom calls them ‘Walnut Sandies’, my mother-in law calls them ‘Russian Tea Cakes’. I adore my mother-in law. Yes, I am one of those few women that is blessed! We have a wonderful relationship, so much so I can tell you ‘Russian Tea Cakes’ are the only thing I have ever ate from her kitchen that was tasty. So in honor of her one success I share with you this classic that I have be making every year, smiling thinking of her.
Russian Tea Cakes
~1 cup butter softened 
~1/2 cup powdered sugar
~1 teaspoon vanilla
~2 1/4 cups flour
~3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
~1/4 teaspoon salt
~extra powdered sugar set aside
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Mix butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar & vanilla in large bowl
Mix flour, salt & nuts in separate bowl and add to mixture, until well blended
Shape batter into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet
Bake 10-12 minutes until set and not brown, bottoms should be a touch golden
Remove from cookie sheet slightly on cooling rack
Roll in powdered sugar
Roll again in powdered sugar
Done…………see I promised easy! If Mama Rosemary can do it anyone can! To store, keep in air tight containers and these scrumptious treats should last 3 weeks!
OK here’s another great fool proof cookie! I don’t know who gave me this recipe, it was in the “Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook” I received as a bridal shower gift. Whoever gave me the book, also gave me a gift that keeps giving. Literally, the book taught me to cook, and I have yet to have a unsuccessful experience from it! Today this book is still on my cook book shelf. Its falling apart and held together with a large rubber band, still I can’t imagine my kitchen with out it! Here’s one of my holiday favorites enjoy!
Soft Molasses Cookies
~2 cups flour
~ ½ cup sugar & extra set aside*
~ ½ cup shortening
~ ½ cup molasses
~1 egg
~2 teaspoons baking soda
~1 teaspoon ground ginger
~1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
~ ¼ teaspoon salt
~ 1/3 cup cold water
Preheat oven 400 degrees & Grease cookie sheets
In a large bowl beat all ingredients (except the extra sugar) until well mixed
Form 1″ balls of dough and roll in extra sugar.
Place on cookie sheet at least 2″ apart
Bake 8 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly pressed with finger.
Using a flat spatula remove cookies and place on wire rack to cool. Store in air tight container.
*Good Housekeeping suggests garnishing with raisins, I prefer rolling in sugar for a ’sparkly’ cookie!
These two recipes should get your cookie platters off to a great start! For an additional original recipe, try my peanut butter bars from last years blog! I know you’ll be a hit with these recipes. I wonder if I have enough molasses to make a double batch of cookies tonight…………
