Cookies

For many people, making homemade cookies is the first baking project attempted. Everyone loves cookies, especially warm out of the oven. Cookies can evoke happy memories of our childhood or of those of our children growing up. They also can be part of holiday memories and traditions. Then, too, there are cookie jars some people collect because they come in many fanciful shapes and sizes.

You moms or grandmothers may have fond memories of your children reaching up to get at a cookie jar filled with the tasty treats. My daughter, at age 1 1/2, climbed on a chair to reach the table she then stood on by tippie toe, reaching the cookie jar resting on a shelf just behind the table! If you have children, take some time to make cookies with them.

Most varieties of cookies keep well in the refrigerator for weeks, or even in the freezer for months. They also ship well. For that reason, years ago I started the tradition of making cookies, starting months ahead, for Christmas Day. Each time I would make one type of cookie, then the next time a different type, and so on, freezing each batch. I would leave out one cookie for each of my children from each batch as they were baked, placing one cookie on a plate individually. Come Christmas Eve, I would thaw out all the different varieties and arrange them on a pretty cookie platter for serving the next day.

Another tradition I have is that each year I buy and save the new cookie magazines that can be found in the grocery stores. Usually these are annually put out by Better Homes and Gardens, but there are others too. Currently I have a large stack of the magazines, dating back to the 1970's. I pick out one recipe from several of them each year to try and include on my Christmas platter. I am sure you will come up with your own traditions and memories when it comes to cookies.

One thing that people like about cookies is that there are hundreds of recipes of cookies, so there is always a flavor or type to choose from. Cookie varieties are divided into groups, depending upon how they are made or where they come from. There are refrigerator cookies, drop cookies, rolled cookies, molded cookies, and bar cookies. In addition, there are ethnic cookies, such as Italian Biscotti or French Madeleines. Ethnic cookies really are a traditional cookie from whatever country they come from, but fall into one of the above mentioned categories.

As the weeks go on I will be posting recipes so that all the categories are eventually covered. One of the recipes I will share is for my French Madeleines. However, making Italian Biscotti is not within the realm of my expertise. That expertise and honors belongs to my Aunt Tess, who makes the best biscotti I have ever tasted, and believe me I have tried biscotti from numerous Italian bakeries. Perhaps she will type up a little discussion on biscotti making, and share one of her recipes, for me to post on this blog that you may all enjoy (hint, hint, Aunt Tess ; ) )

Next Week: Refrigerator Cookies/Recipe