Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a pretty basic recipe for chocolate chip cookies, but they are soooo good and it's the same recipe our mom uses.

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375° F.
-Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
-Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy.
-Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
-Gradually beat in flour mixture.
-Stir in morsels and nuts.
-Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
-Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.
-Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Zucchini Bread

This is something I make around Halloween every year--it's the perfect fall time recipe. The recipe makes 2 loaves so it's perfect for sharing.

Ingredients:
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup water
2 cups grated zucchini
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
-In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar.
-In a separate bowl, combine oil, eggs, water, zucchini and lemon juice.
-Mix wet ingredients into dry, add nuts and fold in.
-Bake in 2 standard loaf pans, sprayed with nonstick spray, for 1 hour, or until a tester comes out clean.

recipe adapted from www.food.com

Royal Icing

This is the most perfect cookie icing.

Ingredients:
1 lb (4 c.), powdered sugar, sifted
3 Tbsp meringue powder
4-6 Tbsp water (warning: the amount of water really varies--just keep adding slowly until you have an icing consistency

Note: All tools (mixer, bowl, spatula, paddle) must be completely free of any grease/fat or the icing will turn to water and you will have to start over.

Directions:
-In bowl of large stand mixer, fitted with paddle attachment, add powdered sugar, meringue powder, and 4 Tbsp water.
-Turn mixer on medium speed and slowly add more water as necessary for icing to just come together (about 1 more).
-Turn mixer on high and beat for 7-10 minutes, or until the sheen comes off of the icing.
-Use immediately and place a damp towel over any remaining icing as this stuff dries quickly!

From here you can add food coloring to change the color of the icing and if you are doing detail work, just put in an icing bag and you are good to go!

(recipe adapted from goodthingscatered.blogspot.com)

Alison's wedding cookies

I made these cookies as favors for Alison's bridal shower. The recipe was actually taken from Julia's friend Katie's blog and they are PERFECT!! The hints of almond and lemon in the cookies are really delish and they are easy to make too.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. powdered sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 Tbsp lemon zest
5 c. flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
Powdered sugar, for rolling

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
-Cream butter and sugars in a mixer for 5 minutes.
-Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly.
-Add vanilla, almond, and lemon zest.
-Sift in flour, baking powder, and salt a little at a time.
-Do not over mix, this process should take about one minute.
-Chill dough for up to a week in the fridge, or roll out and cut right away.
-Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and bake cookies for 7-8 minutes.
-Wait until cookies are cooled before icing.

recipe adapted from goodthingscatered.blogspot.com