double squash cookies

These cookies went to work with me along with the coco-choco-peanut butter ones because some of my co-workers are allergic to nuts and a couple of others, inexplicably, don't like chocolate. I started with this recipe and made a couple of changes. The name for these cookies came from one of my co-workers since they have both zucchini and pumpkin seeds.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups packed brown sugar 
2 eggs 
1 teaspoon vanilla 

3 cups flour 
1 teaspoon salt 
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons dried lemon peel 
1 teaspoon baking soda 

2 cups grated zucchini squash 
3 1/2 cups oatmeal 
2 cups roasted pumpkin seeds

If the pumpkin seeds are not roasted, spread them out on a baking sheet and put them in the oven for about seven or eight minutes. Stir and return them to the oven, checking them every two or three minutes until they begin to brown. Set aside to cool.

Mix the butter and sugar together for five or six minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix again.

Combine the flour and the next four ingredients and then add it gradually to the butter mixture. When they are well mixed, add the zucchini, then the oatmeal. Finally, stir in the pumpkin seeds.

Use a 1-ounce scoop to drop the cookies on a baking sheet lined with either a Sil-pat or parchment paper. Cook for 11-13 minutes. Makes a little over five dozen cookies.

Peace,
Milton

 

coco-choco-peanut butter cookies

I've been on a cookie baking binge mainly because I bake them and take them with me to work at the computer store where they are well received. This recipe comes at the suggestion of Hakim, one of my co-workers and slightly adapted from a recipe I found here.

1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 1/2 cups flour

1 12 ounce package chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, toasted

Start by toasting the coconut. Spread it evenly on a baking sheet and put it in a 350 degree oven for about seven minutes. Stir it and then continue in two or three minute segments until it is a little brown. :Let it cool on the baking sheet and it will brown a little more. Set aside.

Lower oven temperature to 325.

Cream the butter and peanut butter together until creamy and then add the sugars. Let the mixer run for a good five minutes until the mixture is fluffly. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix again.

Mix the flour, salt, and baking soda together and then add it gradually to the butter mixture. Once they are combined, add the coconut and the chocolate chips.

I use a 1-ounce scoop to drop the cookies on a baking sheet lined with a Sil-pat. You can also use parchment paper. Cook the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Makes about five dozen.

Peace,
Milton

lemon-basil-ginger snaps

My search for a summertime cookie has led me here.

3/4 cup butter, room temperature3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup crystallized ginger, chopped fine

Cream butter until fluffy; add sugar and let the mixer run for about five minutes. Add the egg and beat until mixed well. Add the other three ingredients and mix until everything is combined.

2 cups flour
1/3 cup fresh basil, julienned
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

 Put the julienned basil in a food processor and chop it into fine pieces. add 1/4 cup of flour to basil and combine until it creates a green flour. Whisk that in with the rest of the flour and the other dry ingredients. Add to the butter mixture a little bit at a time, mixing until combined.

1/2 cup lemon sugar (I found it at Whole Foods)

Using a one ounce cookie scoop, drop the cookies into the sugar and roll until they are covered. Put them on a cookie sheet and press them down lightly with your hand. Bake at 350 for twelve minutes. Makes about three dozen.

Peace,
Milton