cookie time

It's time to take a break from beads and get serious about baking some cookies! I've done a couple of batches of cream cheese chocolate chip cookies. The recipe is from this month's Oprah Magazine. I've been reading in one of the forums that people are not happy with the recipe. I dunno... the first time I made them I went by the recipe, but used whole wheat flour. They're great! The second time through I added chopped, dried cherries and walnuts. Oh my...... need to make more. I think the next batch will have a little less flour because I want them to be more chewy, less fluffy. Here's the recipe, and a picture too... on someone else's lovely blog! Just Off Magazine

Today I'll make my old family favorite, Date Balls. They're a total sugar-butter bomb, but soooo wonderful. Mom got the recipe from Aunt Camy forever ago, and I can't remember a Christmas without them. Here's my old recipe card, in my own high school handwriting...



And since several of our holiday guests will be dogs, I baked Dog Cookies too! This recipe from GoodDogExpress.com is a real hit with Lucy and her little pal Heidi.

4 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 tsp. garlic powder
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 cup shredded cheese
1 1/4 cup milk

Combine flour and garlic powder in a large bowl.

Gradually stir-in vegetable oil, cheese, beaten egg, milk and blend well. Roll-out dough to desired thickness. Cut-out treats and place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 25 minutes at 400°F.

Cool before storing. Note: cooking time may vary depending upon thickness.

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your ovens!