January 26, 2009
Best Ever Cookie Connection Newsletter
Issue 002
January 26, 2009
Hi,
Happy 2009!
Welcome to the Cookie Connection - Making, Baking, Tasting, Sharing, and More!
Did You Know... It's Girl Scout Cookie Time Again????
The Girl Scout Cookie Drive began on 1/9 with booth sales beginning on 2/13 - just in time for Valentine's Day!The newest cookie in the lineup is a cinnamon caramel dulce de leche and I bet you can guess the most popular flavor?
Yep, it's the Thin Mint, which accounts for 25% of all Girl Scout Cookie sales!
Tips for Cookie Baking Success
To ensure great cookies every time, here are a couple of tips for cookie baking success:- Choose your recipe carefully. Begin with something that you can handle. Don't challenge yourself with new techniques when stressed or rushed for time.
- Read the recipe and make sure you understand the steps and have the necessary ingredients before beginning. You don't want to have to stop mid-stream to make a trip to the store.
For more information on How To Get Your Cookies Just RIght
National Cookie Days - January 2009
There are several National Cookie Days in January, and if you are like me, then you are always on the lookout for a reason to celebrate with a cookie!!January 6, Shortbread Day
Make a batch from scratch for purchase my favorite commercial shortbread - Walkers Shortbread Petticoat Tails
January 16, Fig Newton Day
I love to buy Fig Newtons 2-Ounce Single-Serve Bags
January 20, Granola Bar Day
We've got several delicious Granola Bar Recipes for you
January 22, Blonde Brownie Day
Our favorite Blonde Brownies Recipe
The Cookie Diet
Are you a cookie lover with a few extra pounds to shed this year? Did you know it's possible to have your cookies and lose weight too? You can with Dr. Sanford Siegal's COOKIE DIET™ Eat cookies, lose weight! Beware of Imitators - Buy It Here
Cookie Contest Alerts
It's the annual "Mix it up with Betty" - Cookie Mix Recipe Contest. The contest kicked off on 1/1/09 and the deadline is 2/15/09, so there's still time to enter. The Grand Prize is $5,000 with 14 runners up and honorable mentions. Good luck concocting this years winning recipe! For additional information on The Betty Crocker Cookie Mix Contest
Quick and Easy Cookie of the Month
Granola Chocolate Chunkers Recipe
A sturdy satisfying cookie that is perfect for backpacks, lunch bags, briefcases, and picnic baskets, and comes together in minutes - thanks to the use of a cake mix!
- 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups granola
- 3/4 cup dried fruit of your choice (raisins, dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots)
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Position oven rack in the middle of your oven and preheat oven to 350F degrees.
- Spray cookie sheets with nonstick cookie spray or line with parchment paper or non stick foil.
- In a large bowl, beat half of the cake mix, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium high speed until blended and smooth (about 1 to 2 minutes).
- Stir in the remaining cake mix, and rest of the ingredients with a wooden spoon until all dry ingredients are moistened.
- Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls, onto prepared cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set and center is just barely set when lightly touched with your fingertip.
- Remove from the oven and cool the cookies for a minute on the cookie sheets and then transfer the cookies with a spatula to a wire rack to cool completely.
This recipe makes about 5 1/2 dozen Granola Chocolate Chunkers cookies
Source: One of my favorite quick and easy cookie recipe books, Cake Mix Cookies
Get Ready for Valentine's Day
It's not too early to begin thinking about Valentine's Day, especially if you plan to make cookies for your favorite Valentine. It's time to gather any special cookie baking items you will need - Cookie Cutter Set
Warmly,
Martha
Best-Ever-Cookie-Collection
