I always feel nostalgic around the holidays (as does everyone). I really miss being able to discuss recipes with my grandmother. I think she would be pleased that I inherited the old cookbooks and are giving them a once over.
On a cold winter day earlier this year, we were snowed in so I decided to bake. I had these old cookbooks strewn across the floor while I was working on another project so I went digging through them for cookie recipes. In “The Cookie Jar” section of my Grandmother’s 1959 Farm Journal’s Country Cookbook I found a recipe for “Butterscotch Drops.”
I made a few changes, but here they are:
Butterscotch Drops
Soft and Chewy1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 c. brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. buttermilk
3 1/2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. fine sea saltCream shortening and sugar. Add eggs one at a time and beat until incorporated. Add vanilla and buttermilk.
In another bowl, whisk together flour, soda and salt. Carefully add to mixture (about 1/2 cup at a time) mixing after each addition.
Drop by teaspoonfuls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat (or a greased cookie sheet). Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Makes 6 dozen cookies.
If I had had sanding sugar or raw sugar, I would have sprinkled them for a more festive holiday cookie. Alas, I could not find any in the pantry. (And, did you know that you can by buttermilk in the small half pint containers now? They are the perfect size—no more wasting a full quart of buttermilk.)
These are a really chewy cookie and are perfect with a good cup of coffee. The taste is somewhere between a maple bar and a butterscotch candy. For a great gift, place a half-dozen cookies in cellophane bag, tie it with a pretty ribbon and pair them with a package of good quality coffee beans (locally roasted, if possible).
(Topeca coffee is locally roasted.)
As the month goes by, I hope to highlight recipes that would make great “Gifts from the Kitchen.”
(I also bought myself a birthday present last month—a portable foodie photo studio. I have only used it one other time but I think I am liking the results. I may have to keep it set up for quick snapping.)
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Thanks to Liz at That Skinny Chick Can Bake for leading me to Cupcake Apothecary’s “Themed Baker’s Sunday.” Check out some of these great treats.
