Thirteen on the 13th - January

Instead of a 'Twelve on the 12th' series (that I did in 2012), I'm planning
to do a 'Thirteen on the 13th' series for 2013. This was created using
supplies from the Everyday Life digital kit from The Daily Digi that you
receive free for being a subscriber.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg

1 cup + 2 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

chocolate chips
Skor bits (optional)
chopped pecans (optional)

Cream together shortening and sugars. Add vanilla and eggs. Mix well. Blend in dry ingredients. Add chocolate chips and, optionally, Skor bits and chopped pecans.

Drop by teaspoonsful onto parchment-lined baking sheets.

Bake at 350' for 8-12 minutes.

Enjoy!

I usually double or quadruple the recipe while I have everything out. I often make some with just chocolate chips, then add in some Skor bits and finally some with pecans too. It will depend on the preferences of those who will be eating them.

Peanut Butter Cookies

I donated a year's worth of tasty treats in a United Way fundraising auction at work. It went for over $200. Nancy's kindly volunteered to help. She'll do a few of the monthly batches. I made the November batch: peanut butter cookies; half with chocolate chips.

Here's the recipe:

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
chocolate chips (optional; mini or regular semi-sweet; mini Hersey's peanut butter cups are also a yummy addition)

Mix together shortening, peanut butter and sugars. Add egg. Mix together dry ingredients then add to moist mixture. Add chocolate chips. Form into 1" ball and place on cookie tray (I love using parchment paper-lined sheets so I don't have to wash the cookie trays afterwards). Flatten with fork. Bake at 350' for 8-12 minutes depending on your oven and how well you like them baked.

I usually double the recipe (just as easy since I have all the ingredients out).

I hope you enjoy trying to make some.

I package up 4 dozen of them and kept a few for my family to try. Neither Heidi nor Roland are fond of peanut butter, so it may just be Stefan that wants some, so I may have a few extras to share at work (since I'm trying to avoid sweets this month).