cookie snookie

If you read many Healthy Living/Food blogs, this will be the 231 post that you’ve read today about COOKIES!!  And the 231st worst recipe.  I just don’t have that baking gene, people!

A few months(?) ago, I found out about The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap that Julie and Lindsay were putting together.  It’s obvious that the word “COOKIE” drew me in, and not “FOOD BLOGGER”.  I just thought it would be kinda fun to receive packages in the mail. 

The Bible tells me that it’s better to give than to receive.  I believe that wholeheartedly.  But not when it comes to cookies. :) I’m thinking that I was MOST CERTAINLY on the winning side of this whole arrangement.  Bake 3 dozen crappy cookies, receive 3 dozen better cookies.  I’m in!!

I asked the two baking gurus in my family (Daddy and Katy), which cookies I should bake.  It was unanimous:  Cowboy Cookies.

All I had to do was look in my nifty “Forget Me Nots” cookbook that I got as a wedding gift.  Basically, it’s a cookbook that family members fill in with their favorite recipes, and then give it to you as a gift. 

This cookbook is really the ONLY one I ever use (aside from Mama Peas’)!  It’s chock full of good old Southern Recipes (with a couple of Yankee ones thrown in by Travis’ New Englander-mom). 

I found Cowboy Cookies right after my great-grandma Ledford’s “Buttermilk Pie” and before Paula Deen’s “Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cake”.  General Robert E. Lee is smiling right now.

Cowboy Cookies

• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 package chocolate chips

Combine eggs, sugars, shortening and vanilla extract.  Stir until creamy.  Add remaining ingredients.  Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Allow to cool.

This is called, “Criiiisco”.  Repeat after me. 

Great for cooking and baking.  Says it right there on the package.  I’m actually fairly certain that Crisco is vegan, so it MUST be healthy!

These actually turned out quite well.  Crisco-ey and chocolatey. 

All packaged up to send to Amanda, Koko and Caitlin.  If you ladies are reading, did they get there ok?  Any good?  Are you still alive?

So that’s what I SENT.  Here’s what I RECEIVED!

#1) Chocolate Orange Biscotti from Mags at thefullwoman

Look at how adorable that drawing is!!  A keeper, for sure!  But so was the biscotti!!  These were the first “cookies” that I received out of the three.  Annnnd, they’re gone. 

I can’t wait until she posts this recipe!  The texture was perfect for dipping in Hazelnut coffee!  Thank you, Mags!

2)  Peppermint Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies from Kayla at sproutybuns

From Kayla’s kitchen to mine?  Poor little cookies.  I’m thinking they had a better home at the previous owner’s house.  All I did was eat them.

These had semi-sweet chocolate, white chocolate and little pieces of candy cane? in them!  YEAH – these got devoured in a couple of days too!

Thank you, Kayla!

3)  Coco-choco mini Blondies by Caroline at bakingwithbuttermilk

Mini things and I get along a little TOO well.  When I received these, I ate one and immediately put the Tupperware container in the freezer.  Out of sight, out of mind.

There are maybe 4 left.  I can’t be trusted.  I’d like to blame Henry and Clara, but it’s all me.  These blondies were moist and wonderful!  Thank you, Caroline!!

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I feel like I need to go run about 12 miles to burn off all this sugar!  Aside from Jesus’ birthday, this is what Christmas is all about though, right?  Giving, receiving, and EATING. 

I’m IN!

**Don’t forget to film your Tuesday Trainer for this week!!  Submissions due by 8pm tonight!**

splendid…lindsay