Country Kitchen:
Cookies, A Favorite Holiday Treat
By Mary Emma Allen
Christmas memories from childhood often include cookies. We can visualize
the kitchen of days ago and almost smell the tantalizing aroma of the
spicy goodies fresh from the oven.
Cookie baking becomes a tradition in many families, with some goodies
made only at this time of year. We share the cookie heritage of childhood
as we create memories with children and grandchildren.
One of my favorite photos that my husband took shows our 2-year old
daughter and me making cookies at the kitchen table. Although she now has
children older than that, I remember the fun times she and I had with
cookie baking. In their family, her husband often bakes cookies with the
children.
Cookies of Many Variations
Most of us have holiday cookie memories from our childhood, occasions
when favorite cookies were baked or served. Cookies come in such a
variety of types and shapes - drop, bar, rolled, refrigerator, formed by
hand and by a press.
These morsels have been made in many lands by numerous cooks. Each
country often has a favorite, particularly at Christmas time. The name
cookie supposedly comes from the Dutch "koekje" which means "little
cake."
Cookies in My Childhood
Mother usually made oatmeal cookies, molasses and sugar cookies which we
rolled out and cut into Christmas shapes. She also baked egg white
macaroons, and brownies. My sister and I began making chocolate chip
cookies, using the recipes from the packages. Sometimes Mother came
across a recipe clipped from a magazine or given to her by a friend.
These MOLASSES COOKIES were developed by a neighbor and became another of
our favorites.
Cream together 3/4 cup shortening, 1 cup sugar; add 1 egg and 1/4 cup
molasses. Stir well.
Sift together 2 cups sifted flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 teaspoons
baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon cloves
or allspice (if desired). Stir into the molasses mixture; chill at least
1 hour.
Then form into 1-inch balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place on
greased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. (They spread while baking.)
Bake 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees F.
New Cookies Set Traditions
A cookie I learned to make in 7th grade Home Economics class became a
favorite in our family. These were RUSSIAN TEA BALLS. Different at first
from those Mother and my aunt made, we learned these are tasty after
they've set awhile so flavors mingle.
Combine 2 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1
cup butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts. (Some cooks
leave out the walnuts.)
Shape into walnut-sized balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375
degrees F. for 10 minutes, but don't brown.
While still warm, roll in powdered sugar. (Some cooks leave the walnuts
out of the unbaked mixture and roll the balls in walnuts and sugar at
this point.) Let cool and roll again in powdered sugar.
These Tea Balls taste better when stored for a few days.
Article (C) 2002 Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen has been writing her "Cooking Column" for newspapers
and online publications for 30 years and
has compiled a family cookbook. She’s currently compiling a
cookbook/story book,
"Tales From a Country Kitchen." Visit her web site for more cooking
articles. Contact her at me.allen@juno.com
