Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Basic Cookie Dough:

2 1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar
5 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. almond extract

Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 T. milk

Shape dough into 1 inch balls, place on cookie sheet. Press center of cookie dough down using the bottom of a 1 teaspoon measuring spoon. May need to dip in flour to prevent sticking. Place a spoonful of jam in each indentation. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool slightly and drizzle with powdered sugar icing.

Recipe from Laura. 

Grandma's Oatmeal Cookies

1 c. margarine (I use butter)
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup molasses
4 eggs
4 1/2 to 5 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
4 cups oats
raisins

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and molasses. Sift dry ingredients and add. Mix in oats; add extra flour if needed. You don't want them too stiff or too sticky. Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes.

Recipe from Grandma Farrell. She made them often when we would go to her house or to the cabin.

Aunt Kathy's No Bake Oatmeal Cookies

2 cups sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter

Put everything in a pot. Cook until boiling, remove from heat, and add:

1/2 cup peanut butter
3 1/2 cups oats
1 cup coconut
1/2 tsp vanilla

Stir together. Form into mounds on wax paper and let cool.

My Aunt Kathy made the best no bake chocolate cookies when I was a kid. Every time I make them, I remember sitting at her kitchen table, eating cookies, and feeling loved.

Peanut Butter Cookies

1/2 cup butter or butter flavored Crisco
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Cream together the above ingredients, then add:

1 1/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

Shape into 1 inch balls, roll in sugar and place on greased cookie sheet (or silpat lined). Criss cross with a fork to flatten. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes.

Recipe from Mom.

Bethany's Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies

Cream together:

1 cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Add:

2 cups wheat flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 1/3 cups rolled oats

Mix thoroughly. Stir in:

1 package chocolate chips
2 cups chopped nuts

Drop onto greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before removing.

Snickerdoodles

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 eggs

1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Set aside. Using a mixer, cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add in eggs, Slowly add the flour mixture and mix until well blended.

Mix together the 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon. Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls and roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until light and golden. Do not overbake. Makes about 3 dozen.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, combine the sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, almond and vanilla extracts, and egg yolk. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour until well blended. Chill the dough for 8 hours, or overnight.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough 1/3 at a time to 1/8 inch thickness, refrigerating remaining dough until ready to use. Cut into desired shapes with lightly floured cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Leave cookies plain for frosting, or brush with slightly beaten egg white and sprinkle with candy sprinkles or colored sugar.

Bake for 7 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies completely before frosting.

I've been looking for a cream cheese sugar cookie recipe for a long time. These were really good. They were soft and moist and had just the right amount of cream cheese flavor. My new sugar cookie recipe, for sure.

Adapted from Allrecipes.com.

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

12 oz. pkg. white chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups chopped dry roasted macadamia nuts

Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Blend in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in white chocolate chips and macadamia pieces. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking pans. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Recipe from Recipezaar.