Ransom Paid

Usually when our adult kids come to visit we find what they've accidently left after they leave. After the last visit we discovered what they'd accidently taken. With all the electronic devices in the house that weekend (at least 4 smart phones, 3 computers, 4 IPads), someone forgot that Dad actually had one also. A few days later he noticed his IPad charger cord was missing. The search was a few quick texts  with the responses - "will send for cookies", and from the other direction "will send 2 cords for cookies".
So, cookie packages were in order. This called for the most favorite recipes. Most of these have been featured in my blogs before but they are favorites I make often.

CHOCOLATE CHIP BROWNIES                                             

from August 6, 2011 blog

1 cup butter, softened

3 cups sugar

6 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 ¼ cups all purpose flour

½ cup baking cocoa

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

½ cup vanilla or white chips

½ cup chopped pecans

In mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, mix well. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; stir into creamed mixture just until blended.

Pour into 2 greased 9-inch square baking pans (or large baking sheet pan). Sprinkle with chips and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool.

CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL COOKIES                   

1 cup butter, softened  (I use 1 stick butter, 1 stick margarine)          

from December 18, 2011 blog

¾ cup white sugar

¾ cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups quick-cooking oats

1 ¾ cups flour

1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (1/2 bag) chocolate chips

Combine the oats, flour, pudding mix, baking soda and salt. In a large mixing bowl, cream fats and sugars. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool.

 SPECIAL BANANA NUT BREAD

                                          

from August 4, 2013 blog

¾ cup butter, softened

1 package (8 0z) cream cheese, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium)

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups chopped pecans, divided

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition. Add bananas and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, add to creamed mixture. Fold in 1 cup pecans.

Transfer to two greased 8 inch x 4 inch x 2 inch loaf pans. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1 ¼ hours or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

In a small bowl, whisk the glaze ingredients, drizzle over loaves.

SNICKERDOODLES

(from July 17, 2011 blog)                                             

1 ½ cups sugar

½ cup margarine or butter, softened

½ cup shortening

2 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix sugar, margarine, shortening, and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.

Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls. Mix 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; roll balls in mixture. Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 9 - 11 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Cool completely on rack.

Yield about 4 dozen.

When I make Snickerdoodles, I portion all the dough
with a cookie scoop, roll into balls by hand,
and set all aside. Then each ball is rolled in
cinnamon & sugar as it is placed on the
cookie sheet. This makes the prep easier! 

Ransom packages of cookies sent. That was 10 days ago. As of yet, no hostage-held cords have been returned. Other negotiations?