Baking With Aunt Cheryl and Mom

       
Yesterday Aunt Cheryl came over to my parents' house to bake with mom and I. Looked forward to this event ever since I found out about it a week ago. Anyway, Mom is not accustomed to baking cookies and desserts in general, so it was pretty much her first time to really bake. It was a lot of fun and I thoroughly enjoyed Aunt Cheryl showing us baking secrets and ultimately just spending time with her. Love her. She's so awesome.

Peanut Blossom Cookies

1 C. white sugar
1 C. brown sugar
1 C. margarine
1 C. peanut butter
2 eggs (beaten well)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. soda (dissolved in 1 T. boiling water)
Pinch of salt
3 C. flour
1 pkg. chocolate stars or Hershey's Kisses

Cream sugar, margarine, peanut butter and eggs. Add soda-water mixture, vanilla, salt and flour. Roll mix into balls. Roll balls in sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Add candy stars or kisses.

Chocolate Peanut Clusters

16 oz dark chocolate chips
16 oz butterscotch chips
2 tbs gulf wax
1 lb (or more) peanuts

In a bowl, melt the dark chocolate chips, butterscotch and gulf wax in the microwave for 4 minutes. Mix. Further melt in the microwave for another 1 - 2 minutes until smooth. Mix. Add in the peanuts and mix. Scoop out chunks into wax paper and let it sit overnight.

Best Ever Christmas Cookies

1/2 C. margarine
1/2 C. crisco shortening
1 C. sugar
2 eggs (beaten)
1 big tsp. vanilla
3 C. flour
1 tsp. soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 C. milk
1 tsp. salt

Combine ingredients as per normal. Refrigerate overnight. Roll out and bake at 350 degrees until lightly golden.