Your Recipe Center

Holiday Recipe: Filled Cookies

From the book: Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm)

When I was a kid growing up on our dairy farm in Wisconsin 40 years ago, cookies with a date filling were my dad's favorite kind. Here is the recipe.

• 3/4 cup butter or margarine (softened)

• 3/4 cup shortening

• 2 cups sugar

• 3 eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla

• 5 cups flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• several tablespoons of milk if the dough seems too dry

• Jam: blackberry, black raspberry, strawberry, red raspberry, plum conserve, apple conserve, or date filling (recipes for plum and apple conserve and date filling are included below.)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter, margarine, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. If the dough is too dry, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk. If the dough seems too wet, add 1/4 or 1/2 cup of flour.

Roll out dough. Use either a small round cookie cutter or one large round cutter. Place cookies on an ungreased baking sheet. Put one teaspoon of jam (or other filling) in the middle of the smaller rounds or off to one side of the larger rounds. Place another small round on top of the small rounds; fold the larger rounds in half. Use a fork to crimp the edges together and to poke holes in the top. Bake for 15 minutes, or until light brown.

This recipe makes about six dozen filled cookies.

The recipe can also be used to make cut-out Christmas cookies frosted with colored icing.

************

~ Plum Conserve ~

If plum conserve is made specifically for filling cookies, store any that remains in the refrigerator and use on toast or biscuits. The conserve can also be sealed in pint jars. (This recipe makes about three pints.)

• 8 to 10 fresh, large, ripe plums

• 1/2 cup of water

• 4 cups of sugar

• 2 cups of raisins

• 1 cup chopped walnuts

• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

Pit the plums and chop into small pieces. Place in a large saucepan and add the sugar and water. Boil for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the lemon juice, raisins and walnuts and cook for 10 minutes longer, stirring constantly. (Note: Recipe can also be made using 3 cups of chopped apples instead of plums. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.)

~ Date Filling ~

• 3 cups chopped dates

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 2/3 cups water

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Put all ingredients into a saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (10 or 15 minutes).

************

About The Author

LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of the book: Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm). Share the view from Rural Route 2 and celebrate Christmas during a simpler time. Free shipping on autographed copies. http://ruralroute2.com; bigpines@ruralroute2.com

Raspberry adds twist to old recipe Hattiesburg American I asked her to write her recipe. So, to new friend, Jenny Busby, here is her recipe. I can't wait to try it! In a large pot, place figs and Jell-O. Bring to ... and more »

PF Chang's eggplant dish worth duplicating MiamiHerald.com A: PF Chang's does not share its recipes, but since this is one of my favorites at the chain, I did my best to duplicate the flavors. ... and more »

Lemon Cake: So good, but a recipe for weight gain San Angelo Standard Times The recipe for you in her book might as well have been a singles ad: Lemon Cake seeking main squeeze. Must possess sense of humor and parchment paper. ... and more »

Recipes Using Essential Oils New York Times By THE NEW YORK TIMES Fill a small vial or jar, preferably with a twist-off cap, with a natural salt. Add 5 to 10 drops of therapeutic grade peppermint ...

Telegraph.co.uk

Rose Prince's recipes for August: Tomato tart with basil oil Telegraph.co.uk Thin and crisp, the buttery base of this easy-to-make tart shows off the flavour of sweet cooked tomato. By Rose Prince Bake it thoroughly and it will last ... Rose Prince's recipes for August: land of plentyTelegraph.co.uk Rose Prince's recipes for August: Baked eggs with roasted sweet peppers and ...Telegraph.co.uk all 5 news articles »

Free Range on Food: Summer beers, drinks and recipes Washington Post Two of the grain salad recipes I have tried recently call for soaking the chopped or sliced onions in cold water, then draining. What does this step do? ...

Palm Beach Post

Celebrate National Ice Cream Month with new frozen treats The Star-Ledger - NJ.com Their 50 recipes for ice cream, sorbet, and other frozen treats include fresh and dried herbs and spices, such as basil, cumin and cinnamon. ... Making ice cream at home is a snapFlorida Times-Union Exploring a summer love of ice creamPalm Beach Post Creamy without crankingCharlotte Observer Calgary Herald all 20 news articles »

Recipes: Mango Lassi and Mel's Mango Chicken Seattle Times The standard recipe here can be altered to your taste — if you are watching calories, use ice or water in place of the milk and an artificial sweetener in ... and more »

Telegraph.co.uk

Rose Prince's recipes for August: Chicken in curried yogurt sauce with peach ... Telegraph.co.uk I love the Kit a Kat curry powder blend from the Spice Shop in Portobello, which is ideal for this recipe. Buy it online, or from 1 Blenheim ... and more »

Let's camp out! Creative recipes, games, and activities for camping with ... Kansas City Star For my family, camping is the perfect mix of the sublime and the ridiculously fun. Even little moments can be big adventures. ... Let's camp out! Creative recipes, games, and activities for camping with ...Centre Daily Times all 8 news articles »