Grandma's Kitchen Revisited

You know what they say about best laid plans?  Well, that's my life this weekend.  An unexpected Christmas gift has laid me low - specifically, a nasty case of bronchitis.  In spite of my three prescriptions and various inhalers, I barely have enough energy to shuffle from the bed to the sofa and back.  So, instead of the blog I had intended to post today, I offer you a re-run of one of my favorite posts from the first year we opened the doors here at TRD...with a few tweaks, an additional favorite cookie recipe and a brand new giveaway. Thanks for your understanding.  I hope you enjoy my walk down memory lane. ~PJ

Some of my earliest memories are of being perched on a stool at my grandma's kitchen counter, hanging onto her every word as she taught me how to wield a rolling pin, create flaky melt-in-your-mouth biscuits or golden brown, perfectly baked cookies. Much of what I know about baking was learned at my grandma's side but baking wasn't the only thing I learned in her kitchen. Sprinkled so lightly among the various techniques that I was hardly aware of them, were gentle lessons that have guided my life over the past 50+ years. From that wise and kind woman I learned to find joy in creating something with my own hands and mind, to take pride in my accomplishments but not be boastful about them, to share willingly and joyfully with others, to have compassion for those lacking the skills or resources with which I was blessed, to treat others with the same kindness and respect that I wish to receive from them and to honor those who have gone before me by sharing my love, my time, my knowledge and a few gentle life lessons with the young people in my life.

Grandma has been with the angels for many years now but, to this day, I can still feel her gentle hand on my shoulder, guiding me in the right direction. A few years ago I was visiting with some cousins that I hadn't seen in almost 30 years. One of them said to me, "You're so much like Grandma it's almost like having her with us again." I can think of no greater compliment.

MY FAVORITE SUGAR COOKIES

1 cup solid Crisco shortening
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. lemon extract
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
dash of salt
Cream shortening. Add 1-1/2 cups sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs and flavorings; beat well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir into creamed mixture. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls 2-3 inches apart onto greased cookie sheets. Dip a fork into flour then lightly press on each cookie to flatten. Sprinkle cookie with remaining sugar. Bake at 375° F. for 9 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
YIELD: 9 dozen

** For a festive appearance, sprinkle cookies with colored sugar before baking or forego the sugar and frost or glaze the cookies after they have baked and cooled.  .

CHOCOLATE DIPPED LOG COOKIES
1 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons brandy
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped pecans
Powdered sugar
Melted milk chocolate

Cream butter.  Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
Add brandy, vanilla and salt; mix well.
Add flour, stirring until blended.  Stir in pecans.

Shape dough into 1-1/2 x 1/2 inch logs.  Place two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake at 325° F. for 15 to 20 minutes.  Cookies should not brown.

While warm, roll cookies lightly in (or dust with) powdered sugar.  Place on wire racks to cool.  When completely cool, dip one end of cookie in melted chocolate.  Let stand on wax paper until set.

Makes 4 dozen cookies.

Here's a photo of Connie's Brown Sugar Caramel Pound Cake.  I'm already drooling!  For the recipe, see Connie's comment below.

Are you baking this Christmas?  Who taught you how to bake? Are you passing along that knowledge by being a baking mentor to someone else?  Share your memories with me for a chance to win our giveaway.   Share a recipe and you'll have two chances to win!


U.S. Winner:  a package of books from our prize stash

International Winner:  The Devil Wears Kilts by Suzanne Enoch (a new book that kept me up reading way past my bedtime) OR Sweet Madness by Heather Snow (one of my favorite books of 2013.)

Please indicate in your comment if you are U.S. or International.  (International giveaway open to any address to which bookdepository.com delivers.)

~ PJ