Mexican Wedding Cookies

These cookies are my absolute favorite. There is nothing like biting into a cookie that tastes like pecan heaven and melts in your mouth. In fact, my mouth is watering just writing this. No matter how many of these cookies I make, they are always gone by the end of the day. The fantastic thing about Mexican Wedding Cookies is how simple they are to make, and how deliciously elegant they look. They are perfect for homemade gifts, parties, or just to please those you love.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp water
• 2 cups white flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans*
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

*Note: these cookies are also divine with almonds or walnuts. Pecans are my personal favorite.

Yields: about 3 dozen cookies

Directions:

• In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and white sugar. 
• Slowly mix in the vanilla and water. 
• Add the flour and pecans, mix until well blended.

*If you want the cookies to stay a round ball shape, cover and chill the dough for three hours
Shape dough into balls and place on cookie sheet.

• Bake at: 325 degrees for 17 minutes

• Let them cool on wire racks for about 15 minutes. After they are cooled, roll the cookies in the powdered sugar. Store cookies in an airtight container.

And there you have it, ladies and gents. As always, enjoy!

JR

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Chocolate Chip Cookies

Finding the best cookie recipe, typically, is a battle including a lot of trial and error. Unless, of course, you have a sister-in-law like mine, who happens to be one of the best chefs I know. These cookies are easy to make, they are light and fluffy, melt in your mouth, and stay soft even after two weeks (not that they ever last that long..). Thanks Becca for sharing!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 cup softened butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3 cups flour
• 1-2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:

• Cream together brown sugar, white sugar, and butter.
• Then add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
• Next add salt and baking soda, mix well.
• Add flour and mix until well blended.
• Finally, add chocolate chips. Make sure to not mix these too much, as the chips break down the longer they are mixed.
• Bake at 350 degrees for approx 8 minutes.

Note: if stored in a ziplock bag, they stay soft longer. If you find them starting to harden, just add a half slice of bread into the bag and it softens them up!

Enjoy!

JR