Posted on 12/04/2023 11:08:17 AM PST by Red Badger
NATIONAL COOKIE DAY
National Cookie Day on December 4th serves up a sweet treat. Bakers across the country warm up the ovens for holiday baking, and we enjoy giving tins of cookies to friends and family all season long.
#NationalCookieDay
We can thank the Dutch for more than windmills and tulips. The English word "cookie" is derived from the Dutch word koekie, meaning "little cake."
Hard cookie-like wafers have existed for as long as baking has been documented. Not surprisingly, they traveled well, too. However, they were usually not sweet enough to be considered cookies by modern-day standards.
The origin of the cookie appears to begin in Persia in the 7th century, soon after the use of sugar became common in the region. They then spread to Europe through the Muslim conquest of Spain. Cookies were common at all levels of society throughout Europe by the 14th century, from the royal cuisine to the street vendors.
Cookies arrived in America in the 17th century. Macaroons andgingerbread cookies were among the popular early American cookies.
In most English-speaking countries outside of North America, the most common word for cookie is "biscuit." In some regions, both terms, cookies, and biscuits are used.
Cookies are classified into different categories, with the most common ones being:
Bar cookies – Drop cookies – Filled cookies
Molded cookies - No bake cookies
Pressed cookies - Refrigerator cookies
Rolled cookies – Sandwich cookies
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL COOKIE DAY
Pick up some cookies at your local bakery. Remember to share some of your cookies with your family and friends! A great way to get started is by making a list of your favorite cookies to bake and enjoy. Then organize your baking tools and start your assembly line.
Use #NationalCookieDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL COOKIE DAY HISTORY
In 1976, Sesame Street included National Cookie Day on its calendar for the first time on November 26th. The Cookie Monster also proclaimed his own National Cookie Day in the 1980 book The Sesame Street Dictionary.
Then in 1987, Matt Nader of the Blue Chip Cookie Company out of San Francisco created Cookie Day, celebrating it on December 4th.
Cookies FAQ
Q. Why do recipes say to mix dry and wet ingredients separately?
A. There are two important reasons why recipes for baked goods call for mixing dry and wet ingredients separately. First, mixing these ingredients separately helps to disperse the spices, leavening agents, and flavorings equally through the mix. Second, this practice prevents us from overmixing the ingredients. When we overmix ingredients, the gluten in the flour becomes tough and will create a tougher final product.
Q. Should I use butter or margarine in my cookies?
A. Real butter is best for cookie baking (unless the recipes specifically calls for a different fat or oil). Cookies baked with butter develop richer, tastier flavor.
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December 4th Celebrated History
1867
The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, The Grange for short, was established following the Civil War to bring organized and cooperative farming to a national level. Seven men and one woman founded the first fraternal organization in New York and further memberships opened across the country.
1881
Nathan Cole Jr. and Thomas Gardiner published the first edition of the Los Angeles Daily Times, known today as the Los Angeles Times. By 1882, Harrison Gray Ottis would take over the editing of the paper.
1918
President Woodrow Wilson became the first US president to travel to Europe while in office as he sails to for the World War I peace talks in Versailles.
1998
Space shuttle Endeavor with a crew of six launched from Kennedy Space Center on the first mission to begin assembling the International Space Station.
December 4th Celebrated Birthdays
Chester Greenwood - 1858
On March 13, 1877, a young Greenwood received patent No. 188,292 for his earmuff invention.
George A. Hormel - 1860
In 1891, the American businessman founded the Geo. A. Hormel & Co. in Austin, MN. His understanding of the meatpacking industry led to innovations that served the Hormel company well.
Edith Cavell - 1865
During World War I, the British nurse served in German-occupied Belgium. She provided care to both Belgian and German soldiers during the occupation. German authorities later arrested Cavell, accusing her of aiding British and French POWs to escape. Cavell admitted to the charges and was found guilty. The Germans executed Cavell on October 13, 1915.
Jeanne Manford - 1920
In 1973, Manford created the support network now known as PFLAG to support her son Morty Manford and gay rights efforts.
Jay Z - 1969
Born Shawn Corey Carter, the Grammy award-winning rapper, has received critical and popular acclaim since his debut album, Reasonable Doubt.
Smart Cookie Ping!...................
I LOVE cookies a lot!
Does any one taste butter and exclaim "I can't believe it's not margarine?"
There is your answer.
DATE BARS
Sweet buttery oatmeal crust, stuffed with a delicious date filling.
An original Betty Crocker recipe, scrumptious and addicting.
ING--CRUST/CRUMB TOPPING 2 sticks real butter, softened 1 cup lt br/sugar, packed 1 3/4 cups flour 1 1/2 cups quick or old fashioned oats, 1/2 tsp b/soda 1/2 tsp salt
DATE FILLING 2 packages (8 ounces each) chopped pitted dates 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 cups water
INSTRUCTIONs--FOR THE CRUST AND CRUMB TOPPING First whisk together the dry ingredients and set aside. Then mix separately butter and brown sugar til light and creamy. Add the dry ingredients and mix well. Set aside.
DATE FILLING Cook on low 10 min dates, sugar, and water, stirring constantly til thickened.
ASSEMBLY W/ hands or spatula, press 1/2 half crumb mixture into dry 9″ x 13″ pan bottom. Spread date filling over. Crumble remaining crumb topping over filling; lightly pat topping into filling with your hand. Bake 400 deg 25-30 min til light golden brown. Cool 15 min. Cut into bars while warm. Store airtight; stays fresh 5 days.
Cream Cheese Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie
Takes ch/chip cookies to new heights of deliciousness.
Ing--COOKIES 1 ⅔ cups (208 grams) cake flour 1 ⅔ cups bread flour (enhances chewiness) 1 ¼ teaspoon baking soda 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter, room temp 1 ½ teaspoon coarse salt 1 cup granulated sugar 1 ¼ cups (10 oz) packed light brown sugar 2 large eggs, room temp 2 teaspoons vanilla 16 ounces (about 3 cups) chocolate chips
FILLING 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature ¼ cup confectioners' sugar
Instructions Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl and set aside. Elec mixer/ paddle, cream butter and sugars and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce speed and add eggs singly, then add vanilla. Slowly add dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips by hand. Refrigerate dough for 4 hours or freeze for one hour.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Remove dough from refrigerator or freezer and allow to come to room temperature. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add in confectioners' sugar and beat until well combined. Scoop 1/4 cup of the dough for each cookie, dividing each in half. Put about a teaspoon (sometimes I use more!) of cream cheese filling bottom half of each cookie. Layer the top part of each cookie over the filling, sealing the edges. Make hockey puck shape so sealed edges don't get too thin and burn while baking.
Bake 350 deg 15-17 min (are not shiny (wet) on top). Eat straight from the oven or cool on wire rack.
I never turn down a cookie but the category seems a bit broad. Maybe Chocolate Chip Cookie Day etc.
🌐 NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DAY - August 4...................
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