Book Notes: Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book

unnamed

Longtime followers of this blog most likely know I love to bake! “Nothin’ says lovin’ like something from the oven” was a refrain I grew up on and apparently took to heart. Baking is fun and magical. So Christmas season, as in every kitchen, is a time to have every excuse to play, exploring all manner of recipes from all over the world as women (I’m imagining) worldwide created sweet delicacies for their friends and families and those recipes made their way into other women’s kitchens over centuries, really. How fascinating. And so when I noticed Betty Crocker had a book, Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book, that assembled many of these recipes in one simple book I immediately purchased it and am gradually making my way through some of the options. This week I learned to make date pinwheels, which I actually thought I had made decades ago, but realized as I was rolling the sticky dough into a log and wrapped it in waxed paper, this was new territory. I think I managed pretty well for my first time. And they are delicious! And they have made lovely gifts for neighbors and friends!

pinwheels

Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book is easy to navigate. It begins with a cooky primer, covering drop, bar, refrigerator, rolled, pressed and molded cookies. There’s an inspiring section on Holiday cookies, appropriate at this time of year. Then moves on to Family Favorites, Quick ‘n Easy Cookies and Company Best Cookies, a bit more challenging, perhaps. My favorite section, however, is the Best Cookies section which covers cookies from a historical perspective. The Best Cooky of 1880-1890 is “Hermits”. Best Cooky of 1890-1900 is Cinnamon Jumbles. Oatmeal Drop Cookies were apparently Best of 1900-1910 and Ginger Creams were Best of 1910-1920. This section extends into the 1960’s and recipes are given for each Best Cooky!

My next endeavor will be to learn to make the German traditional Christmas pfeffernüsse. I will let you know how that goes! 🙂

Cookies at Christmastime have a special container in our household, so I will close this post with a peek at our endearing Santa cookie jar! All good yummy baked cookies live in here!

santacookiejar

I wish you all the warmest end of year wishes, dearest readers! Merry Christmas, happy holidays and all good cheer!

Love and blessings,
Kathryn xoxox

*****
Footnote to subscribers: Some of you might have noticed a little gremlin sneaked in some spam at the end of the Feedblitz announcement of this post. Rest assured that the combined efforts of Phil at Feedblitz and my trusty techie we have unearthed the code and it has been eliminated. Not to worry. Thank you!

6 Responses to “Book Notes: Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book”

  1. IMom gave me Betty Crocker cookbook as a wedding present 55 years ago. I have always turned to it. My son reminded me this year of our making painted Christmas cookies. He in Va. and I in NY looked in our books for the receipe..so nice. Then I made them again with my granddaughter. (my daughter’s girl who lives next door to me). He also remembered our taking baked goods to friends and neighbors. So glad to know these things are signifigent in his life. Nice to share with you.

  2. Hi, Alice! I’m happy to know you have this book and it has served your family faithfully for so many years. I bet that is so true for so many of us. Hope they find this post and share their experiences. Would love to know your favorites! Happy New Year, dear. Kathryn xoxo

  3. What fun, mom! Christmas cookies are quite the Holiday tradition. I used to have a wonderful set of cutters for just this time of year.
    Lucky neighbors that you gifted the treats to them. Happy new year!

    Love,
    Antonia
    xoxo

  4. Hi, Antonia! Happy New Year! I still have my old cookie cutters I used when you were a little girl! I was eyeing them while I was making cookies, but was more inclined to make those delicious date pinwheels and my favorite biscotti recipe. It was a fun thing to do during the holidays, adding cheer to others’ days. 🙂 Love, Mom xoxo

  5. Late in responding, sorry. Happiest of New Years and Merriest of Christmas season. I wanted to tell you that my Grandmother Bishop, Mom’s Mom always made pfeffernüsse cookies for the holidays. Later, Mom made them as well and we helped as kids. Have not made them since my 20’s I expect. The secret is to age them in a cookie tin for what seemed like months, otherwise they would be so hard they would crack your teeth. So we really planned ahead and did them first. I have a set of Farm Journal cookbooks from the 1970s or so, including a cookie book, which has the pfeffernüsse recipe that I used. It’s full of wonderful old cookies that no one makes any more including some rock drops using candied fruit and ones using mincemeat. Haven’t done major cookie baking for probably 10 years now. Need to think about doing that next fall if we are up to it. Thanks for memories. Cousin Julie

  6. Good morning, Julie! Your timing is perfect. Boy, would I LOVE to thumb through your old cookie books! I may ring you for the pfeffernüsse recipe (and perhaps post here??) 🙂 I also have a desire to learn to make candied fruit and candied peels as the ones in the market are full of additives. Maybe your books would teach me how! Happy New Year! Kathryn xoxo

© 2008 - 2024 Kathryn Hall. All rights reserved.
For optimal viewing Mac users using IE should access via Safari.
Pixel Surgery by Site Mechanix