Christmas candy stripers
Posted by Farmgirl on December 8, 2009 | 3 Comments
We’re baking cookies today. We couldn’t resist these cute, striped Hershey’s Kisses. They’re perfect for our Christmas-themed peanut butter blossoms. We like to eat a lot of cookies around here, so we made a double batch and included regular kisses, too.
Kisses make my daughters smile. They like to multi-task. It was a home economics lesson and art project in one.
A nicer mother would get the poor child a stool … but I’m teaching her to stand on her own two feet.
Intensity. Concentration. Great care. This is my serious child. She likes to read, and reread a recipe. (Probably because she’s seen me add two of the same ingredient when I’m distracted.)
Precise. Accurate. Exact. If it says 1/2 cup, it means one half cup. Not 1/2 cup plus a little extra on top. She sets me straight with her straight edge. I need that. I also need my rough edges smoothed every once in awhile. But that’s youngest daughter’s job. She’s my free-spirited, carefree dreamer. We could all use a little of what motivates her.
She takes the path less traveled … and if it’s not leading her in the right direction, she molds and shapes and prods it along until it fits her like a worn-out, comfortable old shoe.
(I’ve always loved that phrase. It’s how Maureen O”Hara describes herself in The Parent Trap [1961].)
The eldest child is more cautious. She treads gently, but with great determination. She seeks perfection and becomes distraught if it is not achieved. She struggles between childlike wonder and responsible deduction. She has great depth to her feelings and opinions, but shares them hesitantly. She takes charge because it’s expected, but is often labeled bossy.
It’s tough to be the oldest. Trust me, I know.
They are synonyms and antonyms. They work well in sameness, they are passionate when opposite opinions come between them. They are sisters. Every woman should have one, biological or not.
They make beautiful music cookies together. (We’re still working on the piano duets!)
The end result is fantastic. Beautiful, sweet and cheerful. Just like my daughters who are growing up so very, very fast. And though I wouldn’t halt the process, sometimes I’d just like to push pause so I could sit and gaze at them with adoration and immense joy.
Savor every single moment … and have a very, merry Christmas!
The Farmgirls’ Peanut Butter Blossoms
Ingredients:
48 Hershey’s hugs, kisses, stripers or several of each!
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar
Directions:
Heat oven to 375. Remove wrappers from chocolates.
Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well-blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well.
In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 4 dozen cookies.
