The Lederman Kitchen

Cowboy cookies have always been on the top of my list of cookies my mom makes.  They are a crowd pleaser and instant hit.  Who doesn't like an oatmeal, chocolate chip cookie with nuts?  They happen to be Brian's favorite too. So, when he was at work on his 30th birthday, and I was at home with the day off, I had to bake some up and deliver them to his office. But don't feel bad for him - working on his 30th Birthday.  We had a surprise 30th Bday brunch for both of us in Portland with my family (thanks Jenn).  And we're having a Birthday party in SF for him next weekend as well. Cowboy Cookies 1 cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup unsalted butter 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 2 cups flour 2 cups oatmeal 6 ounces chocolate chips 1 cup slivered almonds or crushed walnuts, or omit This one is pretty simple.  Blend first seven ingredients with a mixer. ...

I have cookie cutters for 2 holidays, Christmas/Hanukkah and Easter, so I usually make sugar cookies and decorate them twice a year.   This year, ever since Starbucks started making gingerbread lattes pre-Thanksgiving, I have been craving gingerbread cookies.  So, when I realized gingerbread cookies would be just as good for decorating as sugar cookies, I was set. Gingerbread Cookies (recipe from Betty Crocker's Cooky Book) 1/3 cup shortening or butter 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 1/2 cups dark molasses 2/3 cup cold water 7 cups Flour 2 tsp soda 1 tsp salt 1 tsp allspice 1 tsp ginger 1 tsp cloves 1 tsp cinnamon Icing 1 cup powdered sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 tablespoon milk I halved the recipe, which I have been doing a lot recently, and it still made about 3 dozen cookies.  Plenty for us and some co-workers. I got all the ingredients ready. First, mix together the butter, brown sugar and molasses ...

It's clear that I am not the cook in the Lederman household.  And now that you've seen a glimpse of what I eat, you can understand why I'm really in no rush to take over. What I am good at, and do love, is baking.  My Mom is an amazing baker, so was my Grandma.  I grew up eating only homemade cookies and dipping my fingers into real cookie dough. Tonight, I decided to ring in the Fall Season with some Pumpkin Cookies.  My friend Christina is coming to SF for a work trip tomorrow, and will be joining us for dinner, so no better time. This recipe is huge, I halved it, and it still made 33 cookies!  Some lucky co-workers will also get to try these out. Ingredients for the full recipe: 4 cups flour 2 cups quick oatmeal 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups butter, softened 2 cups packed brown sugar 1 cup sugar 1 egg (this one is a little tricky to halve, but I make it happen) 1...