Spice Gem Cookies Old Time Recipes

LEMON-RASPBERRY GEM COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
• Add yolks, zest, juice, and vanilla. Beat well.
• Add the flour mixture and beat to combine well.
• Form tablespoon-sized balls of dough by rolling dough between your palms to form even spheres. Place on a baking sheet with room between (they will spread!) Press a finger into the top of each ball to make an indentation.
• Bake the cookies for 10 minutes.
• Place jam in a bowl and microwave until thinned and smooth (watch this - it wont' take long!).
• Remove the cookies from the oven. Use a teaspoon measuring spoon to make a crater in the middle of each puffed cookie. Use a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon to scoop warmed jam into the indentation.
• Return the cookies to the oven. Bake for 10 more minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool completely. When cool, dust with powdered sugar. Moisten one finger and gently touch the raspberry portion of each cookie to melt powdered sugar there.

OLD-FASHIONED MOLASSES COOKIES

Steps:

• In large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, the shortening, molasses and eggs until well blended. In small bowl, dissolve baking soda in water; stir into molasses mixture. Stir in remaining cookie ingredients until well blended. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease cookie sheet. On floured surface, roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut with floured 2 3/4-inch round cutter (or cut with clean food can with both ends removed, such as rectangular-shaped pork luncheon meat can). Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In 2-quart saucepan, sprinkle gelatin on cold water to soften; stir in 1 cup granulated sugar. Heat to a rolling boil; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes. In large bowl, place powdered sugar and hot gelatin mixture. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed about 2 minutes or until foamy. Add vanilla, baking powder and salt; beat on high speed 12 to 15 minutes or until soft peaks form. Frost bottoms of cookies with frosting. Let stand until frosting is dry, 2 to 3 hours, before storing.

GRANNY'S SPICE COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, corn syrup, orange zest and cold water. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and cloves; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm enough to roll., Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into desired shapes with a cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Decorate as desired. Bake until lightly browned, 6-8 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

ORANGE PECAN GEM COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease baking sheets.
• Combine cake mix, yogurt, egg, butter, and chopped pecans in a large bowl.
• Beat at low speed with electric mixer until blended.
• Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart, on prepared baking sheets.
• Press a pecan half into the center of each cookie.
• Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Cool for 1 minute on baking sheets, then remove to cooling racks and cool completely.
• Store in airtight container. Makes 4 1/2 - 5 dozen cookies.