Cheery Cherry Macaroons

Cheery Cherry Macaroons are a wonderful meld of pecan and almond, coconut, and cherries! Perfect with a cup of tea or packed into a lunch box, they are a special culinary treat. Thanks to my friend, Nancy, for sharing this wonderful recipe.

Cheery Cherry Macaroons

• 3 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 2 cups coconut

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine all ingredients except maraschino cherries, pecans, and coconut. Beat at low speed for 2 - 3 minutes. Then stir in maraschino cherries and pecans. Drop by teaspoonful into the coconut and roll cookies into 1" balls. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes until light brown. Remove from heat and then allow to stand on cookie sheet for at least one minute. Remove from cookie sheet. Enjoy!

Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread boys and girls are a traditional Christmas 

cookie and bring much delight to those who eat them. 

Can you remember biting of a foot, arm, or the head 

first, and then laughing as you share in the experience 

with someone you love? What shall be the second bite? 

Today I'm sharing a gingerbread cookie recipe for those 

who are gluten-free. I don't want them to miss out on 

the experience! 

Gingerbread Cookies

2 cups brown rice flour
1 1/2 cups arrowroot, plus extra for rolling out cookies
1 1/2 cups amaranth flour
2 Tbsp (6 tsp) baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 cups Sucanat
1/2 cup applesauce
1/3 cup safflower oil
1/3 cup molasses
2 Tbsp (6 tsp) vanilla
oil, for oiling cookie sheets

Decorations:

dried currants
dried cranberries
sunflower seeds
Decorator's Frosting

1. In a small bowl, stir together the brown rice flour, arrowroot, amaranth
flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, nutmeg, and
cloves, and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, place the remaining ingredients, and stir to combine. Add
the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir well to combine. Cover
the bowl, place it in the refrigerator, and chill the dough for 1 hour or
more. Using a little safflower oil, lightly oil (or mist with oil) two
non-stick cookie sheets and set aside.

3. Sprinkle a little arrowroot over a work surface. Divide the chilled dough
into quarters, work with only one quarter of the dough at a time, and keep
the remaining dough covered and chilled until needed. Working in batches,
roll out the quarter of dough to 1/4" (6 mm) thickness, and cut into desired
shapes with cookie cutters.

4. Carefully transfer the cut cookies to the prepared cookie sheet. Bake them at
350 F (175 C) for 6 minutes (the cookies will feel slightly soft to the
touch). Allow them to cool on the cookie sheets for 3 minutes before
transferring them to a rack to cool completely. Repeat the rolling and
cutting-out procedure for the remaining cookie dough. Store the cookies in an
airtight container.

To make Gingerbread People:

1. Cut the dough using a person-shaped cookie cutter. Carefully transfer the cut
cookies to the prepared cookie sheets.

2. To decorate them: use two dried currants for eyes, pressing them slightly
into the dough; squeeze one dried cranberry with your fingers to form it into
a mouth, pressing it slightly into the dough; and then use 8 sunflower seeds
to make the outline of a vest, or 10 sunflower seeds to make the outline of a
dress, pressing them slightly into the dough.

3. Bake as directed above.

TIP: The dried currants, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds can also be used
to decorate other cut shapes of cookies.

To make Glazed Gingerbread Cookies:

1. Cut cookies as desired and bake as directed above.

2. Prepare the Decorator's Frosting and use it to decorate the completely cooled
cookies, as desired.

3. Allow the frosting to set completely before transferring the cookies to an
airtight container.

Yield: 3 - 4 Dozen.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

We cannot let this autumn season pass by without reposting my favorite cookie recipe! These are very popular in our family!

It's recommended that we have a good source of Vitamin A every other day. It's best utilized by our bodies if the resource is cooked and served with some type of fat. Do you cook carrots or orange squash every other day? I don't, but resolve to do better. I'm quite sure my university sons aren't eating dark orange veggies every other day either. So, this evening I baked cookies to send to them. Vegan and filled with Vitamin A, I think they'll enjoy them. Here's the recipe if you'd like a sweet and tasty way to get your vitamins!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

A delicious, moist cookie that freezes very well.

2 cups sugar

1 cup oil

1 (15 1/2 ounce) can solid pumpkin puree

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 cups all-purpose flour*

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

12 ounces vegan semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts

Cream the sugar, shortening, pumpkin and vanilla together. Mix until well blended. In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir gently until combined. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts. Mix together. Drop by teaspoonsful onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 12 - 15 minutes.

These cookies are delicious; cake-like and the type that melt in your mouth. I think their flavor would be enhanced by a pinch of salt in the recipe. The walnuts in this recipe add Omega-3's to the diet, and of course we all know that the chocolate is very good for us and high in anti-oxidants!

*For gluten free, Bob's Red Mill flour blend is recommended.

The Cookie Jar

What's in your cookie jar?

Thumb-print Almond and Date Cookies

1/2 cup almond butter
2 cups almond meal
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp pure maple sugar granules (powder)*
1/2 tsp pure vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract

Place almond butter in mixing bowl and stir until smooth and creamy. Add almond meal, maple sugar granules, maple syrup, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix completely. Form dough into small rolls and then pinch off enough for a small cookie. Roll into a ball and then place on baking sheet and press thumb into center to make an indentation. Then prepare date filling using recipe below:

1 cup dates, pitted
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup finely ground almonds

For the filling, mix the water, cornstarch and sugar together. Add dates and
bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until thick and dates are smooth.
Remove from heat and cool slightly.

Fill each indentation in cookie dough with a small amount of the date filling.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes. Do not over bake. Cool and
enjoy!

*May omit if you cannot find.

Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint Cookies

2 cups flour of choice (gluten free if necessary)

1 cup almond meal*

1/8 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup oats (dry), blended into flour

4 Tbsp. olive oil

1 cup maple syrup (or agave syrup)

100% fruit jelly in flavor of your choice

Mix all ingredients except jelly together. Drop dabs of dough onto cookie sheet or make into small balls. Make a small depression in each cookie and fill with 1/8 tsp. jelly. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 13 minutes. 

*almond flour can be made by grinding raw almonds in a blender.

Crown Gem Cookies

Crown Gems are a sweet nugget cookie. They really are little gems of goodness. Mom Audrey always made this recipe with Mystic Lakes sweetener, a syrup made of a variety of fruits.  It is no longer available, but any liquid sweetener will work just as well. I like to use maple syrup because of its delicate flavor. You can use maple syrup, honey, or agave for this recipe.

Bake these cookies in a cupcake paper that's placed in a mini-muffin tin. These flavorful cookies are perfect with tea.

Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint Cookies

2 cups flour*
1 cup pecan meal
1 cup sugar
1 cup coconut, shredded
1/2 cup oil
2/3 cup water
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. almond flour
strawberry jam, fruit sweetened

Mix all ingredients except strawberry jam together in a mixing bowl. Adjust water amount, adding more if the dough is too dry to form into small balls.

Form dough into small balls and place on prepared baking stone or cookie sheet. Use thumb to form a hole in the center of each cookie. Fill with strawberry jam.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes.

*your favorite gluten-free flour or flour blend will work great.

Grandma's Recipes

This has always puzzled me, just how much is a pinch?

These recipes of dear Grandma's surely are no cinch.

A "snip" of this, a "dab" of that, a "lump" of something else,

Then "beat it for a little while", or, "stir until it melts."

I have to be a wizard to decipher what she meant,

By all these strange proportions in her cookbook worn and bent.

How much nutmeg in the doughnuts? Grandma wouldn't flinch,

As she said, with twinkling eyes, "Oh, just about a pinch."

There must have been in her wise head a measuring device,

That told her just how much to use of sugar, salt and spice.

Author Unknown

Hedgehogs

 Hedgehogs

2 cups walnuts, chopped

2 cups coconut, unsweetened

1 cup dates, chopped

1/2 cup oats, rolled

1/2 cup honey (or alternative liquid sweetener)

1/4 cup water

Mix all ingredients.  Allow to stand for five minutes.  Then press into 1" x 2" logs.  Place on a prepared baking sheet at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes.  Turn them once during baking process.  Do not over bake.

Makes:  24 - 30 logs.

A healthy cookie.

Perfect for tea.

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

We cannot let this autumn season pass by without reposting my favorite cookie recipe! These are very popular in our family!

It's recommended that we have a good source of Vitamin A every other day. It's best utilized by our bodies if the resource is cooked and served with some type of fat. Do you cook carrots or orange squash every other day? I don't, but resolve to do better. I'm quite sure my university sons aren't eating dark orange veggies every other day either. So, this evening I baked cookies to send to them. Vegan and filled with Vitamin A, I think they'll enjoy them. Here's the recipe if you'd like a sweet and tasty way to get your vitamins!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

A delicious, moist cookie that freezes very well.

2 cups sugar

1 cup oil

1 (15 1/2 ounce) can solid pumpkin puree

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 cups all-purpose flour*

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

12 ounces vegan semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts

Cream the sugar, shortening, pumpkin and vanilla together. Mix until well blended. In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir gently until combined. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts. Mix together. Drop by teaspoonsful onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 12 - 15 minutes.

These cookies are delicious; cake-like and the type that melt in your mouth. I think their flavor would be enhanced by a pinch of salt in the recipe. The walnuts in this recipe add Omega-3's to the diet, and of course we all know that the chocolate is very good for us and high in anti-oxidants!

*For gluten free, Bob's Red Mill flour blend is recommended.

Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3 tsp. EnerG Egg Replacer*

4 Tbsp. water

1 tsp. pure vanilla

1 1/2 cups gluten-flour blend**

1 tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup chocolate chips***

Cream together coconut oil and sugars. Add vanilla, egg substitute and mix well. Add dry ingredients, continuing to blend with mixer. If ingredients are too dry, add a little more water. Gently stir in chocolate chips. Scoop cookies onto a baking stone or cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 - 12 minutes, until golden. Allow to cool on baking stone and remove when cooled.

Variations: add cinnamon, raisins, walnuts, or extra vanilla or almond extract.

*3 tsp. egg replacer is equal to three eggs. You may use eggs if desired.

**I used Montina flour and coconut flour in equal portions. For those who can use gluten products, an equal amount of whole wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour can be used. You can even use all-purpose wheat flour if you prefer.

***Carob chips can replace chocolate chips, although a vegan AND gluten-free version of carob chips is yet to be found.

Serve with your favorite autumn tea and enjoy!

Shortbreads for Tea

Although there are many wonderful cookies for tea, I think that when I think of the perfect tea cookie I think of shortbread. This delightful cookie originated in Scotland, and to this day the leading product for export in Scotland is Walker's Shortbread. A famous Scottish chef once said that shortbread is 'the jewel in the crown" of Scottish baking.

Shortbread is a small cookie (also called a biscuit) that is crumbly and tender due to it's high fat content. Traditionally shortbread consists of one part sugar, two parts butter, and three parts plain white flour. Flavorings like salt or vanilla are added in varying amounts depending upon the taste and desire of the baker.

Once baked, shortbread should be light in color and not browned at all. Upon completion it should be removed from the oven when yet a nearly white or light golden brown. A trifle of tan on the bottom is all the color that should be observed in this traditional cookie. They need to be watched carefully during the last few minutes of baking.

Shapes of shortbread vary, but generally are formed into one of three forms: wedges, circles, or fingers. For special occasions they are sometimes made into stars or flowers for added appeal. Because they hold their shape well due to their stiff dough, they can easily be decorated by poking with the tines of a fork or by pressing a pattern into their tops before baking. Some bakers sprinkle sugar on them for added sweetness.

Because shortbread is made without eggs or dairy, it is a good cookie to convert to vegan simply by substituting vegan shortening (butter flavored) for the butter. Gluten free versions are also reasonably made by using cornstarch or white rice flours along with a gluten-free flour blend. By the way, even traditional cookies which contain wheat benefit from the substitution of white rice flour for a portion of unbleached wheat flour. It makes a delightful cookie with a great texture and lightness. 

Perfect for tea, shortbread is a little cookie that might look plain and simple, but it's tender, melt in your mouth sweetness is pure delight!

Here are a few of the shortbread cookies I've collected over time. I hope you enjoy them! 

Scottish Shortbread

1 lb. butter, softened (vegan shortening may be substituted)
1 cup sugar, extra-fine
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white rice flour
powdered sugar

Cream the butter (or shortening) until smooth. Slowly add the sugar, mixing as each addition is made. Then sift in the all-purpose flour and white flour. Mix only until blended.

Roll the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap so that it is 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Cut dough into desired shape. Place cookies on baking sheet and poke with the tines of a fork. Bake at a 325 degree F. oven for 5 minutes. Then at 300 degrees F. fr 15 - 20 minutes more. Watch carefully so they do not brown.

Canadian Oatmeal Shortbread

1 cup margarine (non-dairy) or vegan shortening
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon soda
2 cups rolled oats

Mix margarine, brown sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Blend flour, soda and rolled oats. Stir into margarine mixture. Chill 1 - 2 hours.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut into squares or fancy shapes. Bake on ungreased baking sheet for 10 - 12 minutes. Makes 3 1/2 - 4 dozen cookies.

Teatime Shortbread

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
1/2 lb. vegan shortening or Earth Balance 
2-3 drops butter flavoring

Sift flour, cornstarch and confectioner's sugar into a bowl. Add the shortening and rub into dry ingredients. Gradually mold mixture to a soft dough. Kneed Well. Roll out until about half an inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut into shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake at 310 degrees F. for 30-40 mins or until pale brown.

Thyme & Pine-Nut Shortbread

1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup Sucanat (or brown sugar)
1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves, dried and crushed
1/2 cup margarine (non-dairy) or vegan shortening

Toast pine nuts in a hot skillet until gently browned. Then place in a food processor and process until finely ground. Pour into mixing bowl and combine with flour, sugar, and thyme. Add margarine and mix until soft crumbs result. Shape dough into a ball. Using a 1 Tbsp. scoop, shape dough into small balls and place on baking sheet. Then flatten t 1/2-inch thick by pressing with the bottom of a small glass that's been dipped in sugar. 

Bake at 325 degrees F for 15 - 20 minutes.

Shortbread Crumbles

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup almond or cashew butter
1/2 cup carob chips, optional
1/2 cup dried fruit, optional

Mix ingredients except carob chips and dried fruit together, cutting in the nut butter last. Add a small amount of water, one teaspoon at a time, to moisten if needed. Add carob chips and dried fruit. Press into a prepared 8" x 12" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. This makes a crumbly bar-type cookie. Chocolate chips can be used to replace the carob chips if desired.

*For gluten-free options with any of these recipes, replace wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend of choice. Butter can replace the vegetable 'fat' option in the recipes above as well for a more traditional approach to shortbread. Vegan alternatives for 'fat' in shortbreads are Spectrum shortening, Earth Balance, and coconut oil (solid form).


Photo: cabin woods; teapot by Susan Branch; teacup by Royal Doulton; crocheted table topper made by Aunt Evie.

Hootycreeks

Have you ever heard of Hootycreeks? I hadn't until a White Elephant gift exchange this holiday season when Rylan received two pretty mixes for cookies in a jar. One was for a cookie called Cranberry Hootycreeks. What an unusual name! Does anyone have an idea where this creative cookie and unusual name came from? I looked it up online to see if I could find more information and found the recipe on the Christmas Organized website and at All Recipes. It appears that the name Hooty Creek comes from the business name chosen by the couple who developed this tasty cookie. They made "cookie in a jar" mixes that they sold at bazaars and craft fairs. The Hooty Creek mixes became popular and this recipe, which combines dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and nuts became an instant hit. They've been called Cranberry Hootycreeks ever since. And now we know. It's fun to learn something new every day, isn't it!

Belly Broom Breakfast Cookies

When I grew up, cookies were something you ate for dessert.  Or maybe for a snack, but mother always said we shouldn't eat between meals.  Then I met my husband.  I was so surprised to discover that his family ate cookies for breakfast!  Ever since, breakfast cookies have been a hit with me!  While our children were growing up, I discovered it was a great way to fill them with lots of nutrition.  All under the guise of "cookie".

My mother-in-law would fill her breakfast cookies with nuts, coconut, seeds, raisins, dates, and grains.  She was a great baker, so her cookies were never dry or boring.  They were moist, flavorful, and tasty.  But, most of her cookie recipes were ones she baked "by feel" and she didn't write down the recipe.

Recently I felt the need to figure out how to make a breakfast [lunch, snack, dinner, midnight snack] cookies that were gluten-free, sugar-free, low in cholesterol, highly nutritious, AND tasty!  Fortunately Brent is willing to try all my experiments in the kitchen.

Each batch has been a little different than the one before.  Suggestions along the way were welcome.  Little by little a recipe was developed that we liked.

They are not elegant, but breakfast cookies shouldn't be elegant!  Breakfast cookies should be hardy, crammed with nutrition, and tasty!  There's nothing delicate about a breakfast cookie!

They are delicious right out of the oven, but when stored in a covered container [like this one] they become even better!  They become more flavorful and moist as time goes on.  We've named these cookies "Belly Broom Cookies" --- a name our kids give to any yummy, fiber-filled breakfast cookies --- thus named because they keep the colon working efficiently!  Here's the recipe --- which I hope you enjoy:

Belly Broom Breakfast Cookies

1 cup ground flax seeds
1 1/4 cup gluten free oats
1 cup gluten free flour blend (like Bob's Red Mill)
4 packets NuNaturals stevia (any brand, but that's my favorite)
1/2 teaspoon Real Salt
1 Tbsp. baking powder (generous)
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 cup almond milk (or your choice)
1/2 cup olive oil (or grapeseed oil)
1 Tbsp. vanilla
2 cups dates, divided in 1/2

1 cup water

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut, optional
1/2 cup walnuts, optional
1/2 cup raisins, optional

Mix try ingredients together. Form a well in the center of the bowl and set aside.

In a saucepan, mix 1 cup pitted dates with 1 cup of water. Bring to a simmer and cook until dates soften.

Mix cooked date mixture and liquid ingredients together. Then, pour all at once into well in dry ingredients. Stir until mixed.

Add additional dates (1 cup, chopped) and other ingredients of choice (raisins, coconut, walnuts, etc.).

Place on a baking sheet using cookie scoop. Bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees or until done.
 

These are dense but good. Store in a sealed container and they soften up to be even better the next day.

*The flour option you choose will very how the cookies turn out, but all are good.  Choose from oat flour, quinoa flour, sweet rice flour, brown rice flour, all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, etc.

Everything but the Kitchen Sink

I love the saying:  It contains everything but the kitchen sink.  It sounds so interesting to think of a recipe that includes everything but the kitchen sink.  I'm sure you've heard the saying, right? 


"Her soup is SO delicious and contains everything but the kitchen sink." 


About the time I settled into the concept, along came a recipe that evidently included not just everything in the kitchen, but the kitchen sink as well!  I know, simple silliness, but fun just the same.  Here's the recipe and you may make alterations to the recipe as necessary to fit your lifestyle.


Kitchen Sink Cookies


1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup unbleached white flour
1 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
1/3 cup milk powder (dairy or soy)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. powdered ginger
2/3 cup raisins
2/3 cup chocolate chips (or carob chips)
1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup honey
2 eggs, beaten (or egg substitute)


Stir together all of the dry ingredients.  Beat the eggs in a small bowl.  Measure the oil, then the honey and molasses in the same measuring cup.  Beat all the ingredients together thoroughly.  Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients and combine until the dry ingredients are moistened.  If the mixture seems too dry, add some water until the dough is of drop cookie consistency.  Drop the cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes.  Remove from oven when barely done, as they will continue to "bake" on the cookie sheet when to take them out of the oven.  Allow to cool on the sheet and then remove.


These make a great BREAKFAST cookie!

Of Handmade Molded and Stamped Cookies

Cookie molds and presses make unique and beautiful cookies.  Each is truly a work of art and can be considered hand-made from start to finish.  Cookies molds from "Brown Bag" or "Pampered Chef" come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  My collection has been used to bake cookies as well as for craft-making.  You might remember my tutorial about making beeswax ornaments and seeing my molds here.  Friends and family have been recipients of lovingly created beeswax ornaments over the years.  Just thinking about the molds brings back memories of a summer day when my mother and I spent hours, carefully creating molded shortbread cookies in preparation for the piano recital of one of the children.  Each cookie was carefully wrapped and placed in the freezer in anticipation of the event.  When recital day came upon us and we were packing up punch, cookies, and table decor, I went to the freezer to get the cookies.  Not a single cookie could be found!  A quick inquiry of the recital honoree  revealed that he had eaten them, one by one, until none remained.  It was a good thing it was his recital and not his brothers!  Although mother-me was not pleased, the show went on and the recital guests had store-bought cookies.  Lessons were learned that day and life went on.  The experience has now become family legend and I am the one who enjoys relating it to others most.  For some reason, the recital-guy would rather forget the entire experience!  

In addition to cookie molds, cookie presses create beautiful shortbread cookies as well.  They are easiest to find in small sizes, but occasionally they can be purchased in sizes that are similar to those of cookie molds.  The afternoon tea themed cookie press shown in the photo above was one that was given to me by my mother as a treasured Christmas gift one year.  It is timeless in its appeal and has become a part of Christmas tradition for me.  

Everyone seems to have their own special shortbread cookie recipe, but if you would like one that is vegan (dairy free, egg free), mine is posted below.  If you are looking for a vegan and gluten-free version, simply replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend.  One made with tapioca and potato starches would work especially well.

Vegan Shortbread for Cookie Molds

1/2 cup Spectrum shortening, organic, vegan
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup Florida Crystals powdered sugar, organic
1 cup cornstarch
2 cups all-purpose flour

Place the shortening, coconut oil, and powdered sugar together in a mixing bowl.  Cream until light and fluffy.  

In another bowl, mix corn starch and all-purpose flour together.  Combine well.  Then slowly add to the creamed mixture.  When dough gets too stiff to mix, knead by hand.

Roll cookies into small balls and place on a baking stone or a prepared cookie sheet.  Using a cookie press, squash the balls flat to about 1 cm. thickness.

Bake at 300 degrees F. for 25 - 30 minutes.  Bake only until golden, not browned.  Remove from heat and allow to cool on the pan before removing.

Fudgy Carob Balls

Fudgy Carob Balls

1/8 cup carob powder (or cocoa)
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup agave syrup
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/8 cup rice bran

Mix all ingredients together. Drop by teaspoon onto wax paper. Spray hands with vegetable cooking spray. Roll into bit-size balls. If desired roll into chopped cuts or coconut.

Pictured are Clarice's yummy chocolate truffles and her beautiful tea table.  At her party, served Summer Hill Tea, a combination of lavender, rosemary, and black tea.  It was so delicious!  It's on my list of 'all time' favorite teas now.

Have you visited her blog at Storybook Woods recently?  She always has such nice things going on there.  

Autumn Cookies with Chocolate Chips

It's recommended that we have a good source of Vitamin A every other day. It's best utilized by our bodies if the resource is cooked and served with some type of fat. Do you cook carrots or orange squash every other day? I don't, but resolve to do better. I'm quite sure my university sons aren't eating dark orange veggies every other day either. So, this evening I baked cookies to send to them. Vegan and filled with Vitamin A, I think they'll enjoy them. Here's the recipe if you'd like a sweet and tasty way to get your vitamins!

Autumn Cookies with Chocolate Chips

A delicious, moist cookie that freezes very well.

2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can solid pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
12 ounces vegan semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Cream the sugar, oil, pumpkin and vanilla together. Mix until well blended. In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir gently until combined. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts. Mix together. Drop by teaspoonsful onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 12 - 15 minutes.

These cookies are delicious; cake-like and the type that melt in your mouth. I think their flavor would be enhanced by a pinch of salt in the recipe. Although this is not a gluten-free recipe, I think it would be very easily converted by the use of a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. The walnuts in this recipe add Omega-3's to the diet, and of course we all know that the chocolate is very good for us and high in anti-oxidants!

*The gluten-free conversion works well. Sub your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Pamela's Ultimate Baking and Pancake (GF) Mix makes these into good cookies!


*If using fresh pumpkin, use the same amount but make sure it is quite 'dry'.