Quickies

We've hit the middle of the year and with lots of cabin weekends, I seem to be back on track with getting some cookie baking in.

#201 Strawberry-Nut Pinwheel
The cabin is not an ideal place to bake cookies.  There's only one cookie sheet, a hand mixer and frankly, there's a lot more to do besides baking cookies, like trying to relax - which is darn near impossible when there's 20 people up at the cabin and the kids want you to bring them swimming.

So this cookie is a slice and bake cookie.  Made the cookie dough at home and stuck it in the fridge.  Baked the cookie up at the cabin.  I was a little worried about this one since I didn't roll up the dough very tight, but it worked out fine.  Roll out the dough, spread strawberry jam, - homemade jam courtesy of my mother-in-law - and roll it up.  Sometimes the slice and bake cookies are almost easier than the drop cookies.

#202 No bake Cookie balls
Another good cookie to make at the cabin, don't need a mixer and don't need to turn the oven on.  Chocolate chips, powdered sugar, vanilla wafers, walnuts, orange juice and corn syrup make up this cookie.  Orange juice in a cookie, that's a first.

#203 Peanutty Chocolate cookies
So yeah, I'm back to baking, but it's constantly a rush to get things baked - we're just fitting it in.  Kind of like this lame excuse for a blog post, but frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.  I like the baking.  And if I actually had time to myself and wasn't constantly taking care of others, then I'd write better.  Because this is a writing I would not accept from my students.  It doesn't delve into any detail of what's going on.  No small moment story.  So maybe when I'm back in school and if I have a group where we write everyday, then my writing will improve.
Anyway, this short-cut creation cookie was just perfect for my girls only cabin weekend.  I wasn't aware just how much I needed a break until I went up with my friends (got even less sleep because baby Jessie needed to come with me and I stayed up late with the girls even though Jessie still got up early).  
But these cookies were oh so good.  Peanut butter and chocolate, always a good mix.

#204 Toasted Coconut Cookies
As my husband occasionally says, didn't you already make this cookie?  There seems to be some repeats in the book, but since the book contains recipes sent in from people all over the country, there's bound to be some cookies that are similar.  But this one, after tasting it, I feel like I've had it before.  I hope I don't ever bake one and then forget to number it and record it.  This one is soo good though, so it might be okay if it gets baked twice.

Recipe:  
1/2 cup butter, softened                                   1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup shortening                                            1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup sugar                                                   3/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup brown sugar                                         1 1/2 cup quick oats
2 eggs                                                                1 1/2 cup coconut flakes
2 tsp vanilla                                                      3/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups flour

In a large bowl, cream butter, shortening, and sugars until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.  Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.  Fold in oats, coconut and nuts.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.  Bake at 375 for 10-11 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool 2-3 minutes before removing to wire racks.