Chocolate Snickerdoodles

I love snickerdoodles; they are one of my favorite cookies. So when I came across a recipe for chocolate snickerdoodles, I thought I would give it a try. The recipe is very similar to a regular snickerdoodle recipe, with the obvious addition of cocoa powder to give it the chocolate taste.  While I didn't love these cookies as much as a regular Snickerdoodle, I would try this recipe again.

Ingredients:

* 2 1/4 Cup Flour
* 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
* 1 Teaspoon Cream of Tartar
* 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
* 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
* 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter
* 1 1/2 Cup Sugar
* 2 Eggs
* 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
* 2 Tablespoons Sugar
* 2 Tablespoons Cinnamon

* Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F.

* In a medium bowl combine Flour, Cocoa Powder, Cream of Tartar, Baking soda, and Salt. Set aside.

* In a small bowl combine the 2 Tablespoons Cinnamon and 2 Tablespoons Sugar. Set aside.

* In the bowl of your mixer combine the Butter and Sugar (1 1/2 Cups).

* Add the Eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.

* Add Vanilla and beat well.

* Add the Flour Mix and stir together.

* Form the dough into balls.

* Roll the balls into Cinnamon/Sugar mixture. 

***I would recommend flattening the balls a little bit before baking. I baked mine as shown, without flattening and when they were done, the outside was perfect, but the inside was still kind of doughy. I think because the cocoa makes them a little more dense than a regular snickerdoodle, they don't bake as evenly or something. Next time I try this recipe, I will flatten the balls a little bit before they go in the oven.***

* Bake for approx. 9 minutes. 

* Move from Cookie Sheet to Cooling Rack to cool. 

* Enjoy!!!

Snickerdoodles

A friend gave me this recipe a few years ago and it has been one of my favorites ever since. Its on my annual list of cookies that I make every Christmas as well as randomly throughout the year. The thing I like about this recipe is that they are soft and fluffy and not hard as so many of the sure bought ones are. Also, they make your whole house smell like cinnamon and sugar.

Ingredients:

* 1/2 Cup Vegetable Shortening
* 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter
* 1 1/2 Cup Sugar
* 2 Eggs
* 2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
* 2 3/4 Cups Flour
* 2 Teaspoon Cream of Tartar
* 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
* 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
* 2 Tablespoons Sugar
* 2 Tablespoons Cinnamon

***I know that shortening comes in tubs and is cheaper, but I prefer to but it in the remeasured sticks. It is sooooo much easier to use this way. I found when I try and measure it out in cups it is really hard to get out and just seems to stick to everything. Possibly I am just lame, but I found it easier to just cut the sticks in half and use it that way.***

* Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F.

* In a medium bowl combine Flour, Cream of Tartar, Baking Soda, and Salt. Set aside.

* In a small bowl combine the 2 Tablespoons Sugar and 2 Tablespoons Cinnamon. Set aside.

* In the bowl of your mixer combine the Butter, Shortening, and Sugar (1 1/2 Cups).

* Add Eggs one at a time. Beating well after each addition.

* Add Vanilla and beat to combine.

* Add Four Mix and mix well.

* Form dough into balls.

* Roll balls through Cinnamon/Sugar Mixture.

* Bake for approx. 9 minutes.

* Remove from cookie sheet to cool on cooling rack.

* Enjoy!!

Lemon Bars

I made these for the first time for a work pot luck. They were such a hit, I was asked to make them many more times. There are never any leftovers. These bars have a nice tangy lemon taste but not too overpowering. They are perfect for a summer bbq or just because.

Ingredients:

* 1/2 Cup Butter
* 1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
* 1 Cup Flour
* 1/8 Teaspoon Salt
* 1 Cup Granulated White Sugar
* 2 Eggs
* 1/3 Cup Lemon Juice
* 1 Tablespoon Grated Lemon Zest
* 2 Tablespoons Flour (separate from the 1 Cup above)

***2 Large Lemons should have enough juice.***

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare an 8'x8' baking pan.

***I used the Magic Brownie Pan (or whatever its called, the "As Seen on TV" one) that my mom got me for birthday last year. I love this thing and usually use it when I make any kind of bars or brownies. Its cuts them as it bakes and comes with its own cooling rack.***

* In the bowl of your mixer, beat Butter and Powdered Sugar until creamy and smooth.

* Add Flour and Salt and beat until dough just starts to come together.

* Press onto the bottom of your prepared pan.

* Bake for about minutes until lightly brown around the edges.

* Let cool while you make the lemon filling.

* While the crust is baking Zest the Lemons.

* And Juice the Lemons.

* In the bowl of your mixer beat the Granulated Sugar and Eggs until smooth.

* Add the Lemon Zest and Juice and stir to combine.

* Fold in the flour.

* Pour the Lemon Filling into your pan with the Shortbread Crust.

* Bake for approx. 20 minutes.

***I baked mine for about 25 minutes, it was still kind of liquidy after 20 minutes.***

* Cool before cutting. Add Powdered Sugar to the top if desired.