‘Here, Have One!’––

The Senior Center Cookie Swap –

Where Will Power Crumbles

By Dottie Evans

We have all heard of cookie swaps where the participants bake their favorite holiday cookies and write out the recipes. Then they get together for a tasting fest, trade recipes, and walk out the door with a plateful of new favorites to enjoy at home.

That is just how it was November 18 at the Newtown Senior Center, when nearly a baker’s dozen participated in a very successful Cookie Swap Party. The fact that it was so well-attended was partially due to the enticing preview printed in the center’s November newsletter: “Ummm good! When it’s cold outside and cozy warm inside, the soothing smell of home-baked cookies hits the spot.”

The real credit belongs to the bakers who, like the Little Red Hen, did all the hard work themselves. And their reward was getting to eat the results.

What can one say about five different varieties of peanut butter cookies –– one so chewy that using a fork and knife might have helped; two melt-in-your-mouth real butter shortbread cookies, each with fruit centers; cranberry quickies (for health, of course); honey crinkles (giving off a soft orange glow for extra eye appeal); or mincemeat cookies (much tastier than the pie, and less suspicious-looking). Words fail us. You had to be there.

“These hermits are what my children always wanted when they came home from school,” said Brookfield resident Patricia Harkin, who helped organize the party alongside Marilyn Place, director for the Office of Senior Services.

Ms Harkin had brought along Ron Shinko, of Newtown, to be a tasting judge.

“I love sweets and I’m a sweet guy, too,” Mr Shinko noted as he moved down the table, sampling each cookie variety. He carried a glass of milk –– skim, of course –– as a chaser.

“It’s funny, but I think each one is a little better than the last,” Mr Shinko said, munching contentedly.

“That lets me out!” groaned Bob Sharpe, whose Cranberry Quickies were among the first Mr Shinko tried.

“Size matters!” Mr Shinko said in praise of Ada Cooper’s Jewel Clusters, just before he popped two bite-size rounds into his mouth. At long last, he was ready to pronounce the winners.

For Appearance, Eileen Willig’s Honey Crinkles; For Size, Ada Cooper’s Jewel midget cookies (“They’re pint-size, but they pack a punch!”); For Health, Bob Sharpe’s Cranberry Quickies (“Whew!”); For Sweetness, Marie Parker’s Peanut Butter Balls (“Covered in Chocolate. You can’t eat just one.”)

 

Marilyn Place’s

Mincemeat Cookies

1 cup shortening (Crisco butter-flavored sticks)

1½ cups sugar

3 eggs

3 cups unsifted flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 (9-ounce) package None-Such Condensed Mincemeat, crumbled

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In large mixing bowl, beat shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs. Beat well. Stir together dry ingredients, and gradually add to shortening mixture. Mix well. Stir in crumbled mincemeat. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls, two inches apart, onto greased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until slightly browned. Cool. Frost if desired.

Makes about 6½ dozen.

Patricia Harkin’s

Spice Bars

3½ cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup margarine

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

1 Tbsp Molasses

1 tsp each of cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger, and nutmeg

1 Tbsp maple flavoring

1 Tbsp milk

1 to 1½ cups chopped raisins

Mix dry ingredients and set aside. Cream butter and sugar and then add eggs. Blend in all other ingredients except raisins. Add raisins when all ingredients are blended well. Spread into a lightly greased/floured cookie pan with ½-inch sides. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes depending on your oven, at 350 degrees. Watch them because they can burn!