Small Batch Amish Sugar Cookies

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...As part of another project I've been working on, I've been taking a close look at Amish recipes. This one came up over and over again and it appeared so often in my searches that I don't know who to credit for the original version of the cookies. As a matter of fact, despite its title, I'm not sure the cookies are actually Amish. I can tell you that it has proved to be an enormously popular recipe that has staying power. It refuses to go away. These days, the Silver Fox and I don't need 5 dozen cookie in the kitchen, so I took the base recipe and created a half-batch version that is more in keeping with the needs of our small household. The cookies are simple to make and if you are looking for a basic sugar cookie this recipe has your name on it. I follow the recipe to a tee, save for the fact I refrigerate the dough for an hour or so before I shape and bake it to minimize the spread of cookies on the pans. This is a nice, if somewhat basic cookie, and I know those of you who try the recipe will be pleased with your results. Here is how the "Amish" sugar cookies are made.

Easy Soft and Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I think you'll like these chewy cookies. I made them because I had committed a batch of cookies to a bake sale, and while I wanted something good, I didn't want to spend hours in the kitchen making them. I've had great luck with the recipes that I've retrieved from Serious Eats and this is one of their recipes. This is a basic sugar cookie that is made with melted butter and brown sugar. While the brown sugar influences the color of the cookies and gives them a caramel taste, the melted butter makes the cookies less cake-like and more dense than the creamed version of the cookie. Because it is made with melted butter the dough can be used immediately without chilling. No special equipment, save fora bowl and wooden spoon, is required to make the cookies, so they are great to have in your roster if you have occasion to work in a sub par kitchen. If you need a small batch of cookies in a hurry, you might want to give this recipe a try. Here is how these cookies are made.

Simple Sugar and Pumpkin Spice Cookies

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This cookie is one of my survival secrets. I bake our Thanksgiving pies the night before the holiday. Once they're in the oven I make myself a pumpkin latte and have 2 or 3 of these very old-fashioned cookies. They're basically sugar cookies that are made unique with a heavy dose of pumpkin pie spice. I originally found the recipe, here. As you might suspect, I need a little pick-me-up at that time of night and these cookies fill the bill. The cookies are simple to make and the finished biscuit has brown crisp edges and a soft chewy center. They are perfect with coffee or tea and they make a perfect treat at this time of year. If you are looking for a simple seasonal cookie you might want to give these a try. Here is how the cookies are made.

Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Can there be too much of a good thing? Each of you, I'm sure, has an answer that depends on your personal experience and disposition, but one thing is for sure, at least when it comes to the kitchen and its happenings, someone out there is shooting for the moon. I have thirteen recipes for chocolate chip cookies, at least that many for meatloaf, and we won't speak of the contents of my bean soup collection. Why, when I already have recipes that are perfect, do I continue to try and best them? I view it as my contribution to the economy. Somewhere, in some test kitchen, there is a recipe developer or cook who owes their job to me. I had that thought when I made these lovely cookies. Sugar cookies are a favorite of mine, and despite the fact that I already have a recipe that would make the gods swear off ambrosia, I couldn't resist the temptation to try just one more version. The recipe that was my undoing was developed in the Cook's Illustrated test kitchen, and it used a technique that was so new to me that I simply had to give it a try. Did and done. Now, I must tell you that while my personal favorite cookie, which you can find here, has not been displaced, this is a wonderful sugar cookie and I know you will love it. The only suggestion I would make is to cut back on the amount of lemon extract that is used in the recipe. The next time I make these, I plan to use only a quarter of the extract called for in the ingredient list. Lemon extract is very strong and when combined with the amount of zest produced by a large lemon, the combination borders on overkill and I think it produces a slightly metallic taste. Others may not have the same reaction. The recipe is sound and the cookie is delicious. Do give the recipe a try. Here is how these chewy cookies are made.