Give Dad A Hand Cookies Recipes

DAD'S CHRISTMAS SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until light. Stir in the cornstarch and sugar. Gradually add the flour mixing until a soft dough forms. (Dad mixes his by hand and shared that sometimes you have to ditch the spoon and just get your hands in there to form the dough). Form dough in to a ball and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to chill.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll your dough 1/4-inch thick. Take care to ensure that your dough is rolled as evenly as possible, so that cookies cook evenly. Using a cookie cutter, cut shapes and place on to an un-greased baking sheet. You can re-roll your scraps and cut more, as well. Once your cookies are cut, top with quartered glace cherries, sprinkles or nuts. Place cookie sheet with cookies in to the freezer for 10-15 minutes. (You can also freeze the cut dough in freezer bags once solid on the cookie sheet for up to 2 weeks and bake later or as needed.)
• Preheat oven to 275°F with rack in centre of oven. Bake for about 30 minutes for cookies that have been lightly chilled. If cooking from frozen, they may take up to 45 minutes. Cookies should be firm but shouldn't brown at all, even around the edges. They really just dry as they cook.
• Cool on racks then transfer to cookie tin or freeze. These cookies keep well and get better with age.

GIVE-A-HAND COOKIES

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat granulated sugar and butter with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in vanilla and eggs. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour until firm.
• Make cardboard hand shape by tracing around hand placed on medium-weight cardboard or sturdy plastic designed for crafts; cut out shape.
• Heat oven to 400°F. On lightly floured cloth-covered surface, roll half of dough at a time 3/16 inch thick. Place hand shape on dough (or use hand-shaped cookie cutter); trace around hand with pastry wheel or knife. On ungreased cookie sheet, place hand shapes 2 inches apart.
• Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched in center. Carefully remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Spread glaze over cookies. Decorate as desired with icings and candies.

DAD'S COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, salt, white sugar, brown sugar, oats and coconut. Make a well in the center and pour in the oil, eggs and vanilla. Mix well using your hands or a wooden spoon. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls and place 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Flatten slightly with a fork.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, cookies should be a very light brown and chewy - not crisp. Cool for a couple of minutes on the baking sheets before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

DAD'S COOKIES (COPYCAT)

Steps:

• Grease cookie tins.
• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Beat butter, eggs, sugar and vanilla together until they are light and fluffy.
• Sift flour with baking powder, soda and salt and stir them into the first mixture. Blend well.
• Stir in coconut and rolled oats.
• Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets and bake for 10 minutes.
• Cool on wire racks and store in tightly covered cookie tins.