COOKIES PRECURSOR TO HOLIDAY CHEER

Whether spread atop silver trays, jumbled in covered kitchen jars or gracing a holiday bough, cookies are a sure precursor of holiday cheer.

Age is not a factor when it comes to enjoying the savory treats; give a cookie to an adult, and the reaction will echo that of a preschooler.

Edna Cotner learned the joys that home-baked cookies elicit some time ago. "I've been making cookies a long time, practically ever since I've been married," she said. Edna and Virgil Cotner of Cape Girardeau will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in January.

Last week, she made her signature sugar cookies as part of a church project for the holidays. Cotner's cookies, along with those of other members of Maple United Methodist Church, were soon to be shared. "We're taking them to ladies in nursing homes that belong to our church," Cotner explained.

Like many excellent cooks, Cotner enjoys baking a variety of foods, including breads, pies and cakes.

Ada Werner of Cape Girardeau loves baking all kinds of recipes, too, but last week she and many of her friends were surrounded by cookies. Tray after tray of pinwheels, sugar cookies, mincemeat and pecan tarts, strawberry confections and many other scrumptious goodies lined tables in the fellowship hall of Grace United Methodist Church.

The flurry of activity within the church's kitchen, and within the kitchens of many of the church's members, was directed toward last Saturday's Holiday Cookie Walk.

About 500 dozen cookies were prepared for the fund-raiser, a project of the Grace United Methodist Women's organizations.

"I baked 10 dozen cookies last night," Werner said, smiling and spreading chocolate icing atop a chocolate cookie. "All of us will bake cookies at home, plus bake cookies here," she said.

The fun is in the fellowship, explained Annette Trout, as she and her daughter Jamee Trout packaged delicate confections that looked just like strawberries.

Though they've already baked dozens of cookies this holiday season, both Werner and Cotner say they'll bake more before Christmas arrives. Both women share cookies and other baked goods with neighbors, friends and family.

Annette Trout, who resides in Cape Girardeau but hails from Australia, said the giving of baked goods during the holidays also occurs in her home country. "You must remember, it's summer there," she noted, reflecting on the holiday traditions she was reared with. "The giving of fruitcakes is popular in Australia."

People truly enjoy receiving gifts of home-prepared goods, Werner noted, adding: "It seems that nowadays people have everything, they just don't have time to bake."

The enjoyment of cookies extends beyond the obvious. With the renewed emphasis on tradition in recent years, more people may be interested in using cookies as ornaments. Werner said a sugar cookie recipe will work fine. Simply punch a hole in the cookie in preparation for the hanging apparatus before the cookie is baked, she explained.

For first time sugar cookie makers who may be having trouble with sticky dough, Cotner advised, "You've got to have your board floured, but not too heavy. You might have to add a little more flour to your board if they get to sticking." Add just enough flour to remedy the problem.

With Christmas nearing, Werner and Cotner anticipate busy baking schedules. There are sure to be home-baked cookies in their households when the big day arrives.

"We're going to have the whole family here for Christmas day," Cotner said. "It's a tradition to be at grandma's."

Cookie recipes

Best Ever Sugar Cookies

(Single recipe)

-- Courtesy Barb Kinsey

1 c. shortening

2 c. sugar

4 eggs

2 T. cream or milk

4 c. flour

1/8 tsp. salt

4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

Cream together shortening and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Add cream, then flour sifted with baking powder and salt. Mix well. Then add vanilla. Chill mixture about 30 minutes, or if tightly covered a long time. Roll dough out, small amounts at a time, and cut into desired shapes.

Bake in 400-degree oven for about five minutes. Recipe contributor does not allow them to brown. When they puff up and start to fall, take them out. Can prepare triple batches at a time.

Rolled Sugar Cookie

-- Courtesy Edna Cotner

1 cup butter or margarine

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs

3 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour

2 tsp. cream of tarter

1 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Cream butter and vanilla, add sugar gradually, creaming until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time and beating after each. Sift dry ingredients together, add gradually to the creamed mixture.

Chill, (usually chill mixture overnight), then roll on a well-floured surface to about 1/3 to 1/4 inch. Cut in desired shapes.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet, moderate oven, 375 degrees, 12-15 minutes, or until desired doneness.

Ice with mixture of powdered sugar and canned cream.

Pecan Tassies

Recipe yield: 8 doz.

-- Courtesy Grace United Methodist Church

Shells:

4 c. flour

12 oz. cream cheese, softened

3 1/2 sticks oleo

Combine all ingredients, stir until well blended. Shape dough into 96 balls, chill. Place in lightly greased 1 3/4-inch tart pans, shape into shell.

Filling:

3 c. firmly packed brown sugar

3 c. chopped pecans

4 eggs

4 T. margarine, softened

4 tsp. vanilla

dash salt

Combine ingredients, mix well, spoon mixture into shells, filling 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until browned.

Strawberries with dates

(This is twice the original recipe, yields six dozen, original recipe yields three dozen.)

-- Courtesy Grace United Methodist Church

2 - 8 oz. pkg. dates, snipped

1 c. coconut

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. margarine

2 eggs slightly beaten

3 cups Rice Krispies

1 c. chopped nuts

2 tsp. vanilla

dash salt

In pan combine dates, coconut, sugar, margarine, eggs and salt.

Cook and stir over medium low heat until mixture thickens and bubbles (5-10 minutes). Remove from heat, stir in Rice Krispies, nuts and vanilla.

Cool 10 minutes, form into strawberry shape. Roll in red sugar. (3 jars of red sugar)

Apricot Balls

-- Courtesy of Grace United Methodist Church

96 dried apricot halves

6 c. flaked coconut

8 tsp. orange juice

8 T. powdered sugar

Grind apricots, add coconut, orange juice and powdered sugar. Shape into balls and roll in sugar. Store in tightly covered container. (Recipe could be cut in half.)