Cookies To Feed Them All

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Do you need cookies for school or work? Chances are that you will need more than a dozen.

Luckily my son is grown and out of school. With so many little ones with allergies, I'd hate to worry about that. At least my coworkers are adults and will ask the ingredients if they may have an allergy.

These are some of my favorites to please my work crowd.

This first one is my top favorite. I first found it in a Southern Living cookbook and copied it to an index card. By doubling this recipe, making several batches and having a couple of hours to myself in the kitchen, I end up with quite a few more cookies than the recipe predicts.

Cake Mix Oatmeal Cookies: Single recipe says it will make 5 dozen cookies.
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups quick-cooking oats, uncooked
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup chopped pecans, if desired (I don't)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine cake mix, oats and sugar in large bowl. Combine oil, eggs and vanilla. Add this to the dry ingredients, stirring well. Stir in pecans if desired.

Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. My oven cooks quicker than this and I don't want them to be too lightly browned. Seems like they continue to bake at least a minute after coming out of the oven.

Remove to cool on wire racks.

Lemon Bars: I cannot remember having made these for years. Recipe says it will make 36 bars. Guess it depends on how you slice it.
2 1/4 cup flour, divided
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup melted butter
4 eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix 2 cups flour, the powdered sugar and butter. Spread into a 13 X 9 X 2" pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes. Combine eggs, granulated sugar, lemon juice, baking powder and remaining 1/4 cup flour; pour over baked shell. Bake until lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes or until set. When cool, dust lightly with additional powdered sugar and cut into bars.

M&M Cookies: A favorite and not just with the kids. Recipe says will make 6 dozen, but I don't really remember it ever really making that many.
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 1/4 cup sifted flour
1 1/2 cups M&Ms

Cream shortening, sugars, eggs and vanilla. Sift together flour, soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture. Stir in 1/2 cup M&Ms. Drop on ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate tops with the remaining M&Ms. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes

Peanut Butter Cookies: 6 dozen
Cream together 1 cup butter and 1 cup peanut butter. Gradually add 1 cup each of white and brown sugar. Blend thoroughly. Add 2 eggs, one at a time and beat until smooth. Sift 2 cups flour with 1 tsp baking soda. Add to creamed mixture. Stir in 6 ounces chocolate chips. Drop onto greased cookie sheets and slightly flatten with the back of a spoon. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes.

Sand Tarts: My index card does not tell me how many this will make, but they're so good, who cares?
3/4 cup shortening
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp vanilla
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 cups sifted flour
1 cup pecans, ground or chopped very fine

Blend shortening, butter, salt, powdered sugar and vanilla. Add flour and pecans, Drop by tsp onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.

Slice and Bake Oatmeal Cookies: Recipe says will make 6 dozen
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups quick-cooking oats, uncooked
1/2 cups chopped pecans

Combine flour, soda and salt; stir well and set aside. Combine sugars, shortening; cream together well. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture; mix well. Stir in oats and pecans. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into 12 X 2" rolls. Wrap in waxed paper and chill overnight. Slice into 1/4" thick slices and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.

I usually cut my slices in halves or quarters, depending on the size of the cookies I want.

Sugar Cookies: This recipe only make about 2 1/2 dozen but they are so good.
1 egg
1 cup sugar
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 1/2 sticks of butter
Pinch of baking soda
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp vanilla

Cream together sugar and butter; add egg and vanilla. Stir in flour which has been sifted with cream of tartar and soda. Roll out slightly on floured board but not too thin. Sprinkle with more sugar. Place on slightly oiled cookie sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until lightly brown around the edges in a 250 degree oven.

Banana Bread Pudding: Everyone likes this one!
20 plus slices of white or wheat bread, preferably a little stale, broken into small pieces in a large bowl
4 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 cup milk
2 generous cups of mashed, ripe bananas

In a large bowl separate from the bread, whisk all other ingredients until well blended. Pour over bread and mix until thoroughly moistened. Pour into a spray coated 9 X 13 X 2" pan (or two depending on the thickness you want). Bake at 375 degrees (may need less time if in two pans). Test with a toothpick as you would a cake. Will still be moist, but not wet. Some people prefer more moist, others more dry. Cool in pan on rack; turn out and cut into squares or bars.

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