Persimmon Cookies

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup persimmon pulp
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts or pecans
powdered sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and shortening. Add the persimmon pulp and egg. Set aside.

Sift together the flour, soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.

Combine dry ingredients with persimmon mixture and blend well.
Add raisins and nuts.

Drop by teaspoonfuls on cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and dip in powdered sugar.

Inexpensive Fruit Cake aka Poorman’s Cake

From the Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook, an old family favorite.

Grease and flour a 9″ square pan or a 9x5x3″ loaf pan.
Mix in saucepan…
1 c brown sugar
1 1/4 c water
1/3 c shortening
2 c seeded raisins
1/2 t nutmeg, if desired
2 t cinnamon
1/2 t cloves

Boil for 3 min. Cool. Then add a mixture of
1 t soda
1 t salt
2 t water

Sift together and blend in…
2 c sifted flour
1 t baking powder

Temperature: 325 (slow mod oven)
Time: Bake square 55, loaf 75 min.

Peppermint shortbread

I made them the first time with the glaze, but was unimpressed. This year, I’m dipping them in chocolate. Will report back. Full recipe archived for sake of anal-retentive nature.

Preparation time: 45 min Baking time: 12 min
Yield: 4 dozen cookies

Cookie Ingredients:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch

Glaze Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 to 3 drops red food color, if desired
Candy canes or hard peppermint candy, crushed

Combine sugar, butter and 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour and cornstarch. Beat until well mixed. Cover; refrigerate until firm (30 to 60 minutes).

Heat oven to 350°F. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, combine 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and enough milk for desired glazing consistency in small bowl. Stir in food color, if desired. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Immediately sprinkle with crushed candy.

Nutrition Facts (1 cookie): Calories: 80, Fat: 4.5g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 45mg, Carbohydrates: 9g, Dietary Fiber: 0g, Protein: 0g

Frosted Lemon Cookies

New for me this year – always looking for good uses of lemons 🙂

Preparation time: 45 min Baking time: 6 min
Yield: 5 dozen cookies

Cookie Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup LAND O LAKES® Unsalted Butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Glaze Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice

Heat oven to 400°F. Combine all cookie ingredients in large bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

Meanwhile, combine all glaze ingredients in small bowl; stir until smooth. Frost warm cookies with glaze. Sprinkle with additional lemon peel, if desired.

Nutrition Facts (1 cookie): Calories: 80, Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 60mg, Carbohydrates: 13g, Dietary Fiber: 0g, Protein: 1g