C is for Cookie

Do you know there is a national day for almost anything? October 1st was National Homemade Cookies Day. Who doesn’t love homemade cookies still warm from the oven?

I started baking with family members when I was a little girl. One tip I learned is to put a slice of bread in with the baked cookies to keep them soft. My two must-have baking items are an electric stand mixer and a cookie scoop. These will streamline your baking process.

Cookies originated in Persia in the 7th century AD. The word cookie comes from the Dutch word “koekjes,” which came from the word “koeke,” meaning “cake.” Cookies weren’t introduced to the United States until the 17th century by citizens with a strong Dutch heritage. Cookies are usually made with flour, sugar, eggs, and a fat - usually butter or shortening. There are various kinds of cookies, including bar, dropped, filled, molded, no bake, pressed, refrigerated, rolled, and sandwich. What is your favorite cookie? My favorite is a good old Toll House chocolate chip cookie - with a glass of milk!

Here are some book suggestions for cookie inspiration or maybe you want to find a new recipe to wow your family and friends…

Easy Homemade Cookie Cookbook by Miranda Couse

The cookbook has a wide variety of 150 simple recipes made with ingredients you may already have in your kitchen!  There are many tips and tricks to help you make the best cookies. Looking for fun holiday cookie recipes to do with your children? There is a 3D chocolate pilgrim hat cookie and cookies shaped as turkey legs, Christmas trees, and bunny tails.


Mrs. Fields Cookie Book by Debbi Fields

This classic cookbook has 100 recipes with easy-to-follow directions and pictures of each cookie. The cookbook has been around since 1992 and Mrs. Fields used to have a store in every local mall. Now the closest for us is in North Jersey. I used to love getting the super fudge brownies as a treat while shopping as a teenager! Guess what? This cookbook has that easy, rich, and fudgy brownie recipe.


Holiday Cookies: Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season by Elisabet der Nederlanden

Do you like making gifts for people? Then this cookbook is for you! It will show you how to make, bake, store, and package your delectable treats! Want to host a cookie exchange party? There is a section with information to start one and some delicious recipes to wow your guests. Want to add some international cookies to that holiday cookie tray? Maybe a Swedish roll-out cookie called “pepparkakour” or Alfajores, a South American shortbread-like dulce de leche filled sandwich cookie. Perhaps you would like to make some fudge, bark or brownies, too.

Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-In-Your Mouth Cookies by Alice Medrich

Looking for a cookbook to put a new spin on classic cookies? One recipe calls for adding nutmeg to snickerdoodles and another enhances sugar cookies by adding cardamom for that extra special something. Do you know anyone with dietary restrictions? There are recipes without wheat and some recipes made with whole grains. This cookbook won the 2010 International Association of Chiefs of Police baking award.


Martha Stewart’s Cookies by Martha Stewart

Martha’s cookie cookbook has over 175 recipes with color photographs to entice you make them as soon as possible! It has helpful tips and tricks for baking, decorating, and storing your cookies. Each section is organized by texture whether it be light and delicate, soft and chewy, or crumbly and sandy. My favorite type of cookies are soft and chewy…what about you?


What are you waiting for?! Dust off those mixers and get baking! Cookie cookbooks can be found in section 641.8654. The holidays will be here before you know it!

- Jodi Frederick, Hopewell Branch