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The cookie lady
I am not sure how I came to be a cookie diva. I’ve always been more of a savory cook than a baker, though I do like to turn butter, flour, sugar and eggs into delicious things.
I credit the late Jim Bennett, a St. Petersburg Times reader, with getting me started on the high road to cookiedom. Mr. Bennett called me many years ago for some advice about a cookie recipe. His wife had died three years before and he finally felt okay about making the Christmas cookies himself that they used to make together. He is the one who taught me about the power of cookies.
His phone call spurred the idea for the Times’ annual holiday cookie project. This is the ninth year we’ve asked readers to submit their favorite recipes.
I think about Mr. Bennett often and some wonderful conversations we shared over the years about cookies and cooking. We even shed a few tears together. Here is his family recipe … he sent me some Rocks that he baked and I can attest they were quite good, despite the fruit-cake ingredients!
Christmas Rocks
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
8 ounces pecans, chopped
8 ounces raisins
8 ounces chopped dates
4 ounces candied cherries, chopped
Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in egg. Mix in flour, cinnamon, cloves, baking powder and salt. Add pecans, raisins, dates and cherries. Cookie dough will be quite thick and difficult to stir. Wash your hands and dig in!
Drop by spoonfuls on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in preheated 325-degree oven.
Makes about 6 dozen 1 1/2-inch cookies.
Times testing note: Recipe can easily be doubled but use 3 eggs.
Source: Helen and James Bennett
© 2010, Cookielicious. Seaside Publishing All Rights Reserved.
3 Comments
When you told that story at the Southern Independent Booksellers Convention about the Christmas rocks
it made me remember all the good times I had making spritz cookies with my four siblings. So much
fun decorating and having fun being creative. Thanks for sharing!
I just tried the Black Mountain cookies. OMG! I am now officially in cookie heaven.
Congratulations Janet. The book is wonderful! I also think it is the perfect gift for the approaching holidays.
I have seen the Cookie Monster and I am him!
This is the most comprehensive cookie book I have seen. The photos look delicious and the only problem I have is deciding which recipe to try next. If you are looking for the perfect holiday gift, this is the one that will keep on giving! (Hope my friends don’t see this comment or they’ll know what they’re getting this year!)