Is there anything better than home-made cookies?

14 years ago

My sister loves home-made cookies, but hates to cook or bake. And is very hard to shop for.

So for Christmas I gave her a coupon good for 1 batch of cookies a month till next Christmas. She was in heaven and I had an easy present I plan to repeat every year! lol

So I just finished 5 dozen chocolate chip & walnut for September. Next month she wants oatmeal, date, coconut and walnut again.

And every time I hand them to her she says, "Merry Christmas to me!".

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Comments (20)

nancyofnc
14 years ago
Such a lovely gift. But, yes, there is something better than home-made cookies - it is when you give them away that you get a thrill that can't quite match getting them, IMHO.

I make cookies to sell and the ones I enjoy most are the ones that I give out when the customer returns an empty jar from the jam I've sold them for my reuse, or when a little one's eyes sparkle when I hand them a free mini chocolate chip cookie sample.

If I weren't in business to make a small profit, everyone who walks by would get a cookie or a dozen.

Nancy
athomesewing
14 years ago
Sigh....I wish I had a sister!
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nancyofnc
14 years ago
athomesewing - just send me your email and you can adopt me for cookies from your sister.

Nancy
tropicals9b
Original Author
14 years ago
Athomesewing & Nancy - that made me cry. The generosity on this forum never ceases to amaze me.

I have 9 brothers and sisters, but am only close to a few of them. Too many years, states and countries between us. But I believe family is made more than born.
annie1992
14 years ago
tropicals, there is only one thing better than homemade cookies, and that's homemade cookies from someone who cares enough about you to bake them for you!

Good for you, I think you hit on the perfect gift for your sister.

nancedar, I agree, there's nothing quite like the face of a kid when you hand them a nice, warm, fresh cookie.

Annie
teresa_nc7
14 years ago
I actually miss making cookies! When my boys were at home I made a lot of cookies. Now they are on their own and like me, don't eat too many sweets. I am looking forward to making a batch of Welsh Cakes to take to the mountains for my quilting retreat. Welsh Cakes are baked on a griddle or in an electric fry pan. They have currants in them and are dredged in sugar while still warm.....delicious!

Teresa
grainlady_ks
14 years ago
Yummmm! Homemade cookies - the gift that keeps on giving ;-).

I know many people don't like making cookies because they think it's such a tedious task, but it's always been one of my favorite things to bake. If I know I have a tradesman coming to fix or do something around the house, I'll try to make cookies for them. And if you think the eyes of children light up, it works on the Sear's repair guy (who happened to grow-up around the corner from us), the easy-on-the-eyes plumber, and the two Firefighters who install fence on their days off.

The Firefighter who did our fence for us 5-years ago was in the same restaurant as we were one evening not long ago and he came up to us and he said he couldn't remember our name, but he knew where we lived and what kind of cookies I made them each day they were there to install our fence.

So yes, cookies are the gift that keeps on giving....

-Grainlady
nancylouise5me
14 years ago
Tropicals you are right, there is nothing better then home-made cookies. Making them for someone you love is just adding to the sweetness of it all. I love making them with my daughters. It doesn't happen as much as it use to(Kayla just left for her sophomore year in college and Ariel is interning at a magazine as part of graduating). I miss them both. We make lots of cookies and other home-made gifts for the holidays.
P.S. I love seeing the home-made gifts you all do for friends and family at holiday time. Gives me lots of inspiration! NancyLouise
mitchdesj
14 years ago
That is so cool, your sister seems so appreciative of your gift !!
User
14 years ago
tropical what a neat thing to do!

I don't make cookies much anymore and I miss it, especially the smell and of course eating that first one still warm out of the oven.

My favourite thing to do was do make batches of different cookies and send them to Meredith when she was away at University. She and her roommates, and the guys in the house next door..... just loved those care packages!
teresa_nc7
14 years ago
Maybe I should make some cookies for my Exxon station guys instead of their usual cinnamon rolls? They are so good to me so several times a year I make goodies or even lunch to take to them. They even allow me to bring in my own parts that I can get at cost.

And I have today off from work!
Teresa
OklaMoni
14 years ago
I haven't baked cookies in AGES. My ex wouldn't eat them, and I made them only when I went to the club meetings, to share.

But this coming Sunday is a bike ride sponsored by my local bike club, and we provide cookies at the rest stops (this lovely gesture was initiated by me).

I am baking as many batches as I can get done between today and Sunday. Of course, all will be Chocolate Chip Cookies, my trade mark for this event.

Moni, who loves the initial post on this thread, and then the one with the cookie baking offer!
sally2_gw
14 years ago
What a cool idea. I agree with everyone else that giving them away is the only thing better than actually baking them. Although, DH is a bit disappointed whenever I give them away. I leave a few at home for us, but usually not many.

We've actually had a cool front come through (Woooo-hooooo!) and its only going to get up into the 80's. I just might make cookies today. It's been way too hot to bake this summer. I can just feel the flour in my fingers!

Sally
caliloo
14 years ago
Tropicals - that is a great idea! My guys still like cookies, and you have inspired me... I think I will go make a batch right now.

Alexa
nancyofnc
14 years ago
My baby sister visited this last week, from Alaska (I'm in NC) after not seeing her for 5 years. She brought an extra small suitcase that I filled with jam and cookies. I mail them to her a couple times a year and even though the cost of shipping is more than the value of the ingredients, it's priceless, to me and to her.

Our other sister is a great cook but she sent me money for shipping (to CA) for some gingerbread cake, sugar cookies, Linzer cookies, and biscotti, because they are my specialties and she doesn't bake like I do. I just wish she could send me some of her Italian meals for my dinner!

Still waiting for email athomesewing.

Nancy
hawk307
14 years ago
Tropicals9b:
How do I get some Cookie Coupons ???

Set aside my Pizzelles, Biscotti and Fruit filled cookies and any Food Market has better Cookies.

Maybe because I do not make any.

LOU
tropicals9b
Original Author
14 years ago
Lou - LOL! I hate any store bought cookie - even the "gourmet" ones. They are all too greasy or oily or dry as dust.

Thank you everyone for your comments! My Kitchenaid makes cookies and cakes sooooo easy! I pre-measure everything and put it on paper plates and just dump each plate when the recipe tells me to. If I don't pre-measure, you can bet I will leave something out.

Here are my favorite 2 recipes that everyone goes nuts (pun intended) for.

Cookies:
Oat-rageous Cookies
1/2 C shortening
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1 egg
1 Tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 C all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 C quick cooking oats
1 C semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 C cranberries
1/2 C chopped walnuts
1/2 C English toffee bits
In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugars. Beat in egg, water and vanilla.
Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in remaining ingredients.
*Drop by rounded Tbsp 2" apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
**Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
*I use a cookie scoop and get 32-36 cookies per batch.
**I prefer to bake them at 365 for 15 minutes.
***I leave out the chocolate chips.

Bundt Cake:
Ingredients
Ã¯Â¿Â½ 1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix
Ã¯Â¿Â½ 1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
Ã¯Â¿Â½ 1 cup sour cream
Ã¯Â¿Â½ 1 cup vegetable oil
Ã¯Â¿Â½ 4 eggs
Ã¯Â¿Â½ 1/2 cup warm water
Ã¯Â¿Â½ 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into a well greased 12 cup bundt pan.
3. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cake thoroughly in pan at least an hour and a half before inverting onto a plate If desired, dust the cake with powdered sugar.
* I add 1 cup of Angel Flake shredded coconut
tropicals9b
Original Author
14 years ago
I use the 3.9 oz. instant chocolate pudding and the tiny semi sweet chocolate chips.
murphy_zone7
14 years ago
tropicals9b:
What an outstanding gift idea! We all have those people on our list that are near impossible to shop for....a coupon for homemade anything is an excellent idea.
Thanks for helping me with my Christmas gift list!
pat_t
14 years ago
tropicals9b: I did the same coupon idea for my former supervisor at work (she's not a baker/cook either). She LOVED it. Once she chose cookies, another time she wanted muffins. All were easy and the best part is knowing that they were appreciated. She would come to work the next day and positively RAVE about how much she and her hubby enjoyed them.

Nancedar - your generosity with your offer shows just what a wonderful spirit you have. You inspire me!

Is there anything better than home-made cookies?

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