PhotobucketWhy Be Frugal?

I consider frugality an art form and a religious conviction. I learned about paying cash for purchases, recycling and reusing just about everything and being generous to friends and those in need from my parents.

My faith instructs me all things are gifted by God and so I am compelled to be a good steward of my gifts. [The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man. Psalm 115:16]

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Monday, January 18, 2010

Speed Up Baking With Master Cookie Mixes

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Oatmeal Cookie Mix


This Mix recipe is from More-with-Less Cookbook. I've been using the mix for many years and it is wonderful and very inexpensive.

To make 1 Gallon of mix (I usually mix up 4 gallons at a time):

1 ½ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
3 cups flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
cut in :
2 cups shortening
add:
6 cups rolled oats.

Mix well. Store in cool place.

To make cookies:
Combine in bowl:
2 beaten eggs
2 tsp vanilla
4 cups oatmeal cookie mix

Mix well, drop teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheet, flatten with fork and bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes. (The cookbook indicates this makes about 4 dozen--I like to make my cookies just a little bigger, and typically get about 3 dozen)

This mix keeps for a long time. I've added nuts, coconut, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and just about anything else I had in the cabinet.

1001 Cookie Master Mix and Recipes
(I found this recipe at Simply Susan Godfrey waaay back in 2006.)

5 cups all purpose flour
3-3/4 cups Sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons butter or margarine -- softened

1. Spoon flour info measuring cup and level with spatula. Put in large bowl with at least 4-quart capacity.
2. Measure sugar, baking powder and salt into flour. Stir until thoroughly blended.
3. Add butter and use pastry blender or clean hands to work into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse meal.
4. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months

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Chocolate Chip 1001 Cookies

2 cups 1001 Cookie Mix
1/2 cup firmly packed Light Brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips -- (6 oz.)
1/2 cup chopped nuts

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease cookie sheets.
2. In large bowl, mix together cookie mix, brown sugar, egg and vanilla. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
3. Drop dough by slightly rounded teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack.

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1001 Peanut Butter Cookies

3 cups 1001 Cookie Mix
3/4 cup peanut butter
1egg

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease cookie sheets.
2. In large bowl, mix together all ingredients. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet. Flatten in crisscross pattern with fork dipped in flour.
3. Bake about 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet and cool on wire rack.

-- To Make Peanut Butter Stars: Roll balls in sugar. Place about 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheett; do not flatten. Bake until edges are lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Immediately press 1 milk chocolate star firmly in each cookie. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet and cool on wire rack. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

-- To Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies: Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place about 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and flatten with a spatula. Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheet; cool completely on wire rack. Put cookies together in pairs with jelly.

Makes 24 sandwich cookies.

For more varieties using this mix, visit Susan Godfrey at Homestead Momma.

5 comments:

Mary Ellen said...

Thanks for the recipes Mary! I can't wait to try these!

Mary Ellen

RCUBEs said...

They all look yummy!Thanks for sharing the recipes. God bless.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I can't bake for beans but maybe these are easy. I know my girls would love to try them. Sarah

Auntie Cake said...

You always have wonderful ideas to share with us. I have to be frugal now, I am B-R-O-K-E! I have to admit, I am kind of enjoying the challenge though, makes me be way more creative!!! And we are so thankful that my husband has a job and we are safe in warm in our home when so many are going without.
Kate

The Red Brick Farmhouse said...

I see we both had cookies on the brain yesterday! ROFLOL!

I have a recipe that I use all the time and just change what I want to add to them!

Blessings~
Laura