It’s that time of year when the heavenly aroma of Christmas cookies baking in the oven fills kitchens around the country. We all have our favorite cookies we make year after year, and it just wouldn’t be Christmas without them!
Chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies have been around for ages, but you may not have tried these recipes for crispy versions of the two favorites – Peanut Butter Crisps and Buffalo Chips. Not only are they great when dunked in a glass of milk or cup of coffee, but also they hold up well if shipped to loved ones in military service.
PEANUT BUTTER CRISPS
3 cups quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup peanut butter morsels
Thoroughly combine oats, sugar, salt and vanilla; set aside. In a small saucepan, melt margarine or butter and add to oat mixture. Mix well.
Firmly pack half of the oat mixture into an 11-by-7-inch baking pan. Melt the peanut butter and spread evenly over oats.
Cover with remaining oat mixture, packing gently. Then, sprinkle peanut butter morsels over all.
Bake in a 350-degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool almost completely before cutting. Makes 18 squares.
BUFFALO CHIPS
1 cup margarine
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 cups quick cooking oatmeal
1 cup coconut
2 cups Rice Krispies or corn flakes
2 cups chocolate chips
Mix margarine, both sugars, baking soda, baking powder, salt and vanilla together until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition.
Mix in flour until smooth. Fold in the oatmeal, coconut, Rice Krispies or corn flakes and chocolate chips.
Drop by rounded tablespoons on lightly greased cookie sheets and bake in a 350-degree oven for about 12 minutes, or until light brown. Makes about 3 1/2 dozen cookies.
Brotherton offers website readers one stellar recipe a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature. Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email me at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and I’ll see if I have it.
