Aj Schwanz

In honor of the tide being Yule-ish, I believe it would be helpful and prudent to post some quick yummy recipes for those “drop-in” situations. Because I like doing things fast, these saving graces will be of a baked-and-small-and-circular in nature.

Here are some recipes that are sure to please:

Ginger Cookies

• For big soft chewy cookies with sugar-coated yumminess: Giant Ginger Cookies from Simply Recipes.
• For soft chewy cookies with a burst of “oooh, some kind of chip!”: Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies from VeryBestBaking.com (a.k.a. Nestle TollHouse). I use white chocolate chips cause, let’s face it: I’m a rebel.
• For a thin, crisp cookie: Gingersnap Raspberry Sandwiches from Martha Stewart. I figured Martha would be the person to turn to for a cookie that has not the least sense of softness or chewiness (can’t imagine why). Use the jam if you want to be “fancy”.

Peanut Butter
In my family, the peanut butter is not to be ignored.

• For a great basic peanut butter cookie: Peanut Butter Cookie from Cooking For Engingeers. I mean, if someone’s going to get a peanut butter cookie right, it’s gonna be an engineer.
• For a cookie that tastes the closest to Grandma’s Retired Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip cookies: Irresistable Jif Peanut Butter Cookies from Jif. Instead of Crisco (unless it’s butter-flavored), use half butter/half margarine. And add chocolate chips: you won’t regret it.
• For a chocolate peanut butter cookie: Double-Peanut Double-Chocolate Chip Cookies from Epicurious.com (Gourmet magazine’s website). Add more peanut butter: makes it mmm mmm good.

Other

• For a shortbread-ish type cookie: Holiday Snowball Cookies from VeryBestBaking.com. No soda or powder to worry with - just a real simple cookie. Use chocolate chips if you don’t have the shapes, or try using a mix of mint and chocolate chips. Tasty.

Cookie Specials
Many sites are highlighting some quality cookie recipes for this time of year. Check out:

• The Food Network’s 12 Days of Cookies
• Martha Stewart’s Cookie Workshop
• All Recipes‘ Christmas Cookie Countdown
• Cooking Light’s Cookie Countdown

So, there’s my Christmas present to you. Now, go: make people happy and chubby. If anyone needs to work off the pounds, I have a toddler I’ll gladly donate for you to chase.