Enjoy a Little Cooky

'Tis the season for platters laden with goodies. Some treats pop up as standard fare on many plates. Creamy fudge, flashy sugar cookies and crunchy peanut brittle often lead the pack. Others are less frequent fliers such as pretzel concoctions that look like reindeer and Oreo truffle balls with a modern twist.

I suspect many of us can easily answer the question, "What is your favorite Christmas treat memory from your childhood?" We could probably approximate your age and regional culture by your answer. If you respond with Lefse, it is possible you are over the age of thirty and have a Norwegian background. Adding Krumkake to the list seals the deal. This waffle-like cookie requires a special iron and the labor involved in producing this delicacy is not always tolerated in our busy schedules.

If you respond with, "Pfeffermusse" (say that three times) you may be of German lineage and also over the age of thirty, especially if you add a pinch of pepper recommended in the recipe. This little spice cookie is akin to gingerbread with its molasses, cinnamon and cardamom ingredients. Pfeffermusse was not on our holiday trays but they certainly sound delicious.

My Dutch heritage is credited with the etymology of the word cookie (koekje) so, of course, we are no strangers to sweets. Rolling out sugar cookie dough was a test of patience and perseverance as a kid. But, the pay-off was worth it as we decorated the stars, trees and reindeer with an assortment of sprinkles. I have no tolerance for such tasks anymore so no sugar cookies for me. I will, however, enjoy less putzy treats such as peanut blossom cookies and snickerdoodles. As I write this post I am keeping track of my timer with cinnamony snickerdoodles in the oven.

A go-to cookbook for my Christmas baking is a shabby, well-stained book from the late 1960s. The cover is long gone and the binding has been taped at least once and looks like it needs another mending. The title certainly dates me: Betty Crocker Cooky Book. According to some sources, "Cooky" is an archaic variant of the word "Cookie". I know where that places me and to that I say, "Guilty as charged." Betty Crocker kept the cooky spelling on some of their cookbooks through the mid-20th century so I am in good company.

Over the years I attempted many recipes from the Betty Crocker Cooky book. The candy cane cookies looked absolutely delightful in the photo but, sadly, mine were misshapen and too fat. The adorable spritz cookies demanded a not-too-sticky dough that often eluded me. Date pinwheels are a classic cooky involving a date filling and rolling dough into a log. My pinwheels were a little wonky and dates can be a polarizing flavor so page 17 in the Cooky Book is not very stained.

Thus, I am sticking with my old favorites, Snickerdoodles and Peanut Blossoms. I am also going to heed the advice found on the inside cover page of Betty C's Cooky Book:

"There is no aroma quite so inviting as that of cookies baking, whether ginger or chocolate or caramel. Remember the motto: Happy the home with the full cooky jar."

Cordially,

Betty Crocker

Whether you share an Oreo or a homemade cooky with your kooky guests, remember that the most important thing is the person across the table from you.

Merry Christmas, my friends!