Fall Baking

Who wants yummy cookie recipes!? I have two really good ones to share - Seriously, both of them disappear like crazy when I make them and you will be named "high cookie baker of all the world" if you take them to any type of gathering.


HOMEMADE OREOS (with orange frosting for festive flare)

To make the cookies:
2 devils food cake mixes
1/2 C of shortening
4 large eggs

Mix ingredients together with a wooden spoon in a large mixing bowl until everything is moist and dark brown. It takes a little patience, but it will all stick together.

Roll dough into small balls. Place on cookie sheet. Use the bottom of a glass cup to press down on the center of each ball until they are about 1/4 inch thick. (So they look like little round patties)

Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes. Don't cook too long, and do not try to remove them from the cookie sheet before they have cooled for 15 minutes.

I HIGHLY recommend using an air bake cookie sheet - it makes all the difference in how your cookies will turn out.

To make the filling:
1/2 C shortening
1/2 C softened butter
1tsp vanilla
(I also like to add a 1/2 tsp almond extract - optional)
2 Tbsp milk
4 C powdered sugar

*Blend all ingredients together with beater.

*May want to use a little less or a little more milk depending on what consistency you want for your filling. Thicker is usually better so the cookies are not too goopy.

Alternate Filling:
1 C softened butter
3/4 C powdered sugar
8 oz cream cheese

*Using cream cheese gives the cookies a different taste. Some people prefer it, but I am not a fan.

*You can color the frosting orange to give them some fall flare or any color to match the season. Pastels for Easter, Red and green for Christmas, etc.

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 C Pumpkin

3/4 C Sugar

1/2 C Vegetable oil

1 Egg

1 tsp Vanilla

2 C Flour

2tsp Baking Powder

1tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Salt

1tsp Baking Soda

1tsp Milk

1 C chocolate chips

*In a small bowl dissolve Baking Soda in Milk and set aside

*In a large bowl combine Pumpkin, Sugar, Oil, Egg, and vanilla. Stir well.

*Add Flour, Baking Powder, Cinnamon, Salt and Baking Soda mixture. Mix well.

*Stir in chocolate chips and spoon small blobs onto sheet (they double in size in oven)

*Bake at 375 for 12 minutes  (I highly recommend using an air bake cookie sheet.)

Mmmmm, the house smells so good.