Cookie-a-day: Pepparkakor (Swedish Cookies)

Heather says: Many thanks go to Crystal for submitting her family’s recipe for pepparkakor.  This version has been simplified if you would like a traditional version, take a peek here. 1 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp molasses 1 tsp boiling water 1 large egg 3 cups …

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Laundry Perplexion: Sourcing Mystery Spots

Dear Home Ec 101: I don’t use softeners or softener sheets and every piece of clothing we own is being ruined by these grease stains. I have no idea what it is but I can only assume its from the dryer. And I know, with kids, stains are highly likely but even their brand spanking …

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Oatmeal Scotchies with Toasted Pecans Recipe

Heather says: Don’t let the idea of toasting pecans scare you away from making these Oatmeal Scotchies with Toasted Pecans. Simply scatter pecans on a baking sheet and place in a 300F oven for 5 – 7 minutes, stirring once. Be careful not to leave them in too long, as they will be be cooked …

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Quick Tip: Quickly Softening Butter

Heather says: While it is easiest to just let butter soften at room temperature, sometimes you just don’t have time. Such as when a child “suddenly remembers” they were supposed to bring cookies to class the next day. I do not recommend using a microwave, as it is way too easy to skip softening and …

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Cookie-a-day: Divine Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

retrochick.JPGIvy says:

I know Heather already posted chocolate chip cookies, but a couple of times a year, when I was a kid, my mom would make these cookies and they were fabulous. Not just good, not just great, fabulous. Divine, even. I never understood why Mom only made them every once in awhile, and I resolved to make them all the time when I was a grown-up.

Once I was an adult and Mom finally gave me the recipe, I found out why Mom only made them every once in awhile. They’re a tremendous pain to make. And these are the kind of cookies that if you skip a step or take shortcuts, they’re good, but not fabulous. Also, all the ingredients except the one that is marked optional are imperative that they be added exactly as written. No substituting, no leaving anything out. Like I said, they’ll probably still be good, but they will not be fabulous.

With those disclaimers out of the way, here are the best chocolate chip cookies you will ever eat:

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 C unsalted butter*
  • 3/4 C white sugar
  • 1/3 C brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract**
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 C sifted flour***
  • 1/3 C old-fashioned oats****
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 C milk chocolate chocolate chips*****
  • 3/4 C walnuts (OPTIONAL)

To read the long, drawn out directions, click to

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Cookie-a-day: Chocolate Biscotti Recipe

Heather says:

I make this every year for Christmas parties and brunches.  Biscotti are twice baked cookies and the name comes from the Italian words bis and cotto.  This recipe freezes well and can be made up to a month ahead of time.

Pictures will be added soon.

Chocolate Biscotti

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I am in love with Hershey’s Special Dark)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 6 TBSP butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup walnuts (optional)
  • 3/4 cup semi -sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 TBSP confectioners sugar

Directions after the jump.

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The Great Pre-Christmas Toy Clean-out

Ivy says: If you haven’t done this already, this weekend would be a great time to go through all the kids’ toys and  get rid of anything broken, anything they don’t play with, anything they just have too much of (my daughter had approximately 1,493 stuffed animals before we cleaned out her room), and anything …

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Better Tasting Coffee

Heather says: The first time I heard this, I assumed the person was off their rocker, but I tried it years ago. Have you ever noticed that coffee tastes better when your server pours from a height?  Try it, but please practice with cold water until you are quite sure you have the method down.  …

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Cookie-a-day: Snickerdoodles Recipe

Heather says:

I took today off, but Malia was kind enough to send in her recipe and instructions for snickerdoodles; just the name  makes me grin.  Malia is currently on break from her blog Live.Laugh.Love, but she can be found at Music City Bloggers where she is a contributing author.

Snickerdoodles

 

While the origins of the cookie and its name have a varied history this cookie, no matter what you call it, is a quintessential crowd pleaser.  The dough can be refrigerated for a day or two as a make ahead recipe and  these cookies freeze well. Make some now and save them for holiday parties/consumption.

  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • ½ cup stick butter, softened
  • ½ cup shortening
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar*
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions after the jump.

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Vacuuming Practices

vacuum for long hair

Dear Home-Ec 101, I’m curious to know what’s the best vacuum for someone with long hair and a cat that has short hair. I’ve got a nice Kenmore canister vac, but my hair bogs up the roller constantly. And I ain’t cuttin’ my hair. Signed, Lovely With Long Hair Ivy says: Back when I had …

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