I was just listening to a show about the cost of groceries. Seems now that corn has a new lease on life as a government funded alternative fuel source (I know that is a good thing), farmers are getting more money for it.That in turn leads to higher prices for feed (the gist was that corns and grains are on the bottom of the farm food chain). Those higher feed costs are eventually passed on to the consumer. That explains the higher costs of milk, eggs, chicken... Another loser is soybean since corn is more profitable, more farmers are switching over to planting corn. Less soybean farming means higher prices in the grocery store. Sheesh, I want to live by Annie. The higher prices will probably affect how much I bake also.

Jo

Eileen, will you be in your new house by Christmas? I am thinking about you moving all your things and getting it set up, ie finding everything by then! I am in this new house over 5 years and I still have unpacked boxes and thngs I can't find!

What is your most popular cookie? I do cookies, but also Date Nut Breads,with some cream cheese. which many seem to like. Better than a fruit cake, lol!

I bought some beautiful plates at the Noritake outlet one year, and some in Mikassa that I filled with cookies. If they don't like sweets, I do a cheese ball, or Braunsweiger Ball with crackers. I guess it is time to start thinking about these things!
You might be interested to know that Pfaltzgraff opened a clearance center 2 stores down from the other store in the Bellport Outlet. You might be able to pick up some interesting containers there for your cookies. I was there Fri and found some goodies. And it is not too far from you!
So what's your fav cookie to give?

Actually....speaking from here in the bio deisel and corn capitol of the universe...pigs too! :-) The bottom has dropped out of the ethanol market....more is being produced than there is a way to use and get to market.....and there was a big corn crop this year.....so something's got to give....but the question is what!?
Perhaps the challenge will be to come up with economical recipes.
OK...I'll start!

GINGER SNAPS

2/3 cup cooking oil
1 cup white sugar
4 Tbsp molasses
1 egg

Stir together above ingredients, then add:

2 cups sifter flour
2 tsp soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp salt

Make small balls. Roll in sugar. Bake 1" apart on ungreased baking sheet at 350 for 15 minutes.

I just stocked up on unsalted butter for baking, it's in the freezer. It was on sale at $2.00 lb. You can count on flour and sugar to be on sale in time for holiday baking, watch for it. Eggs go on sale ofter as a loss leader.

Best thing you can do to cut costs is to make a list now of the ingredients you will need and watch for them to go on sale.

Nancy

Nuts & sugar have gone up a lot the past couple of years. I substitute flax seeds for some of the nuts. Flax seeds are still very cheap and blend well with most nuts. I'll watch the sales and shop at more bargain stores so I can bake.

My favorite cookie is the one somebody else makes for me!

Prices have gone up on milk and dairy products a lot in Annie's part of the world, but I'm not going to begrudge the farmer any part of it. The real cost is not in the bio-fuel industry, although a lot of non-farmers with acreage got dollar signs in their eyes and planted corn. We promptly got 7 weeks without a drop of rain and the corn crop went kaput and the non-farmers got a taste of farming reality.

The real problem for farmers is the cost of fuel. It's way, way up, of course, and those tractors don't run on air. The more fuel costs, the more it costs to plant corn, cut and bale hay, whatever. The more it costs the farmer, the more he has to charge. Fertilizer has gone up, so has the price of seeds. Sigh.

I'll also point out that much of that increase goes to the middle man, the one trucking stuff from one side of the country to the other. And there's the cost of fuel for that too....

I agree with LindaC, maybe the answer is to make less expensive goodies, substitute like Booberry is, make do with less. (shrug) I could do with a bit less butter and a few less cookies anyway, a dozen spectacular cookies on a nice platter would be greatly appreciated in my house, I can tell you that.

Annie

i purchased butter today for $1.66 a pound. the limit was two. sugar was just on sale and should be again right before thanksgiving. i purchased a boatload of flour a few months ago at $1.00 for 5#. when things go on sale like that, i stockpile. just yesterday i was making a list of what cookies i will be making for the holidays. now if eggs would just go on sale and stay there, i would be happy. seems they haven't been in quite some time. that's why i want my own chickens, but my boro does allow them - not even if i called them pets.

i agree though, change up what you normally make - there are so many recipes out there. i'm sure your friends and neighbors will still love whatever you make. i sure know i would.

maryanne

Any institutional food supplies by you? We have Smart and Final. Before I started making the fig preserves, I bought a 25 lb bag of sugar for $11. I could have bought a 50 lb bag. They also stock flour in huge bags, and butter in 1 lb. bricks. No, its not organic, but thems the financial breaks.

As one who has real trouble with stockpiling....please don't suggest that!!
I have a stockpile of alfalfa pellets to feed my hosta and roses and a stack of bagged compost and mulch....in my basement there are at least 6 dozen jars of home made jams and jellies awaiting a home.
Do wwe want to talk about pesto? Probably not!
And when cream cheese goes on sale....I really stock up! I am now eating cream cheese out dated by about 6 weeks....it tastes fine...but I think it's time to use it up! All I need is a supply of sugar and flour!
Linda C

Another idea to curtail expenses without others noticing is to make cookies that pack a bigger punch. Either decorate the cookies more ornately or use stronger flavors (like espresso or peppermint). This way the cookies will still have a big impact, but you'll need to make less.

I'm actually one of those people who finds a big plate of myriads of cookies overwhelming. Not that I don't love and appreciate them, but it really isn't necessary or that impressive to me. I'd rather have a just couple nice ones. I think I posted this last year, I went to a reception where they had just a couple types of cookies, really well done/decorated, etc. and it really made a strong impression. One that stands out were large, substantial gingerbread cookies cut out in several large shapes--stars, trees, houses, etc. and decorated with vibrant frosting. I really adore Christmas cutouts. I think the other ones were rolled in powedered sugar. And the third was the shaped plain white cookies, must come out of a press somehow, but just plain shortbread with maybe some colored sprinkles.

Everyone has such good ideas. Instead of using cookie jars I would use tins or plates from the dollar store. You could wrap the plate & cookies in cello and decorate with a pretty ribbon.

And don't forget unlikely sources for those pretty plates etc-- try garage sales, Salvation Army or other "mission" resale stores. Another idea is a odd shaped baskets-- often can be found at Dollar Stores.

Or tuck a few nice cookies into large Christmas Mug along with a gaily wrapped single serve pkg of Hot Cocoa ( can be found at Dollar Stores in bx of 10/ $1.00).

Or wrap a dozen cookies or a nice quickbread loaf in a pretty kitchen towel; tuck a few in a holiday oven mitt.

Get the kids involved--buy plain white "lunch bags" that they can decorate with ink stamps-crayons-- glue & glitter--tuck in a nice shiny apple,a couple fancy tea bags or single serving cocoa or cappachinno,a couple really great cookies, a few pieces of holiday wrapped chocolate and you've got a nice gift for teachers-- the Pastor-- a favorite Aunt .

kATHLEENLI No i willnot be gone as i still havent sold my house the market is dead. I have a few favorites but I always make Rugulach, Raisin Oatmeal, Polish tea Cookies,Chocolate Chip, White Choclate Macadamia,and several others. I took advice and today went to BJ Wholesale and started by buying 4lb butter,10lb flour,5lb brown Sugar,10lb White Sugar, 5lb Walnuts...Im gonna try to do this every week or so this way when the time comes Ill have what i need. I know Ill spend the same but it is easier a little at a time I guess its psycological LOL!!!

Eileen, I belong to all 3 clubs here, Costco, BJs and Sams.
I think Costco has the best price on eggs. Watch the sales, even KMArt had a good sale on flour and sugar last year, better than the clubs. I used to do catering, so I got used to watching the prices. I did a lot at Christmas, taking orders from the school where I taught. DH made the rugelach, I did everything else!! Email me and I will give you the recipe for the Brauns Ball and whatever else you need. I used to keep records of how much each thing cost to make..per cookie, etc.