Cooking with Susie Q

We have the most wonderful and stressful season coming
up for cooking. With Christmas only a few weeks away, many of us are thinking of ways to give of ourselves for Christmas gifts.
    I have often given gifts of “Recipes in a Jar”. With a swatch of fabric on the cover, tied with a ribbon and the preparation instructions on an attractive card, this gift can be given to anyone from a busy mom, single member of your community or even the post person (formerly known as the mail man).
I am sharing a couple of my favorites with you today. Barb, one of my friends at work, has asked for recipes for cookies that travel well and taste good. She wants to send homemade gifts to family from “away”. Barb has asked specifically for a good, soft peanut butter cookie recipe.

Snickerdoodles In A Jar
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups white sugar

Directions: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, cream of tartar, and sugar. Stir with a whisk, then place into a one quart canning jar.
Attach a tag with the following recipe to the jar:

Snickerdoodles

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, cream 1 cup of butter and 2 eggs.
Pour in the snickerdoodle mix, and stir until a dough forms.
In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.
Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, roll the balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Cookies should be light brown. Cool on wire racks.

Directions: Layer the ingredients in a 1 quart jar in the order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding the next layer.

Include a card with the following instructions:

Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Grease cookie sheets.
In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
Stir in the entire contents of the jar. You may need to use your hands to finish mixing. Shape into walnut sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. 3. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven. Transfer from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

  Directions:  Combine margarine, peanut butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Blend together very well. Add flour, baking soda and salt with mixer. Chill dough 15 minutes in the refrigerator. Roll into balls by hand. Place on sprayed cookie sheet, using a fork, lightly press crisscross marks in tops and bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven until edges very lightly browning (about 7 to 10 minutes). Don’t overcook. We store them in a plastic storage containers, and they stay soft.
The recipes you send in are my favorites, I believe the County has some of the finest cooks in the Country and I thank you for your participation. Enjoy!!
I can be reached at susieqcooking@ainop.com or c/o Pioneer Times, PO Box 456, Houlton, Maine 04730.