I was dreaming last night about being in the middle of a crowded room and watching someone in the distance working with something on the table, he was making something that looked like food, but it was hard to see and hard to hear. Everyone around me was buzzing about how wonderful he was and that we could all learn from him. When all of a sudden I stood up and, walked over to him at the table and took over the demonstration. I showed the whole room how to bake cookies………..What was that about??? Well you know, that wasn’t to far fetched, especially on what I was working with a couple of days ago. I want to start a small business baking cookies! I want to create my own recipes and sell them at retail. I have a dream to start this business here in my local area. The question is, what steps should I take? I looked over at all of the websites on small business and you wouldn’t believe how much there is out there for anyone who is thinking about doing this. I found a really good site that would help you if you are interested. When I saw it, it answered a lot of my questions about what I should do. It gave me a step by step plan, here it is:
http://www.startupnation.com/pages/start/10Steps.asp
I was amazed how informative it was, especially if you are like me and don’t have a lot of time or money to work with. It will tell you what to do and how to do it.
Ya know, I am known as the “cookie monster” at work. I bake cookies and take them to work. It is really funny, but I have a following, sort of like groupies that wait in anticipation for my next batch. They are always asking me about when I am going to bring in my next batch of cookies, and if they aren't going to be there; they ask me to save them some. It’s not that I am great; I think they like cookie like I do. It is hard to do this sometimes, especially when I don’t have a lot of time at home, and when it costs so much, and when you have to give them something new each time. They have their favorites, but I like to try different things. It is really great to watch them gobble up my creations. I guess that is what it feels like to be a baker and watch people enjoy what you enjoy. Does that make sense???? Well, anyway, I have some cookie recipes that will make you want go to your kitchen and start baking (oh! such power). I don’t want to start you out too difficult so I will ease you into this. I always start with the basics and add from there. There are so many “add-in” ingredients out there, you can’t go wrong. It does help to taste test them though. You might not like them, then, obviously no one else will either. Boy, have I been there…… It takes a lot of patience, which I am not known for. I do like to see my cookies take form and watch them bake and turn into something great. Maybe, it is the artist in me. I can’t draw a picture if I tried, unlike my other siblings who can scratch something on a piece of paper and sell it to the Modern Museum of Art somewhere, (frustration here), but I have expressed my art in other areas, like baking…. It is truly an art form that all of us can enjoy, also, be very satisfying. Well, enough talk. Here are the recipes:
This basic cookie mix that follows is a good recipe to make in bulk and have on hand; it has been around for a very long time, my Mom, aunt, sister and my wife have used it in the past. As you can see you it has all sorts of options, it is up to you. It is great to have around when you are surprised with a request for fresh cookies in 30 minutes, but the little darling grandchild surrounding you, saying, “Grandpa, do you have any cookies”??? If you have the mix you can say “go play outside for a little while and when you start smelling cookies, come running”. Don’t forget the milk!!
This basic cookie mix that follows is a good recipe to make in bulk and have on hand; it has been around for a very long time, my Mom, aunt, sister and my wife have used it in the past. As you can see you it has all sorts of options, it is up to you. It is great to have around when you are surprised with a request for fresh cookies in 30 minutes, but the little darling grandchild surrounding you, saying, “Grandpa, do you have any cookies”??? If you have the mix you can say “go play outside for a little while and when you start smelling cookies, come running”. Don’t forget the milk!!
Cookie Mix (the base)
5 cups flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups vegetable shortening
In a large bowl mix well the flour, sugars, salt and baking soda. With a pastry blender or 2 knives cut shortening into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Use within 3 months. This recipe makes about 10 cups.
Here are some of the recipes that you can make from this mix. Don’t forget this is not all of them. Remember be creative----
Raisin-Oatmeal Cookies
In a large bowl mix well 2 cups Cookie Mix, 2 cups quick oats, 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar and chopped walnuts. Stir in 2 slightly beaten eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until well blended. Shape dough in 1-inch balls. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Press flat with bottom of glass dipped in flour. Bake them in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to racks to cool. This makes 66 cookies.
Spice Cookies
In a medium bowl mix well 2 cups Cookie Mix and 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice. Stir in 1 slightly beaten egg, 1/4 cup molasses and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well blended. Drop by teaspoonfuls (dip spoon in water to prevent sticking) 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Press flat with bottom of glass dipped in granulated sugar (moisten glass to help sugar adhere if necessary). Bake in a preheated at 375 degree F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are browned. Remove to racks to cool. This makes 36 cookies.
Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
In a medium bowl mix well 2 cups Cookie Mix and 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar. Stir in 1 slightly beaten egg, 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well blended. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Press flat with fork tines dipped in water to prevent sticking. Bake it in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are browned. Remove to racks to cool. This makes about 40 cookies.
Pinwheel Cookies
In a medium bowl stir 2 1/2 cups Cookie Mix, 1 slightly beaten egg and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract until well blended. Divide dough in half. With hands or wooden spoon work 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and 1 teaspoon water into half until well blended. Chill if necessary before rolling out. Roll out each half between 2 sheets lightly floured wax paper to a 12 x 9-inch rectangle. Place chocolate on vanilla. Starting at wide side, roll up tightly; chill for 1 hour.
Cut into 1/8-inch slices. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake it in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to racks to cool.
Checkerboard Cookies
Use Pinwheel Cookies recipe above. Divide chocolate and vanilla halves in half. Shape each to 1/2-inch thick rope with hands, lightly floured if necessary. Place a chocolate and vanilla roll parallel to each other, then a vanilla roll on top of the chocolate and a chocolate roll on top of the vanilla. Press lightly to form a compact roll (if necessary, moisten rolls with water to keep dough together). Wrap rolls airtight. Chill for 1 hour or overnight.
Cut into 1/8-inch slices. Bake as directed for Pinwheel Cookies.
Chocolate Chip Squares
In a large bowl mix well 2 1/3 cups Cookie Mix and 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar. Stir in 2 slightly beaten eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well blended. Fold in 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped walnuts. Use a small metal spatula dipped in water to spread mixture in greased and lightly floured 15 x 10-inch jellyroll pan. Bake it in a preheated oven at 375 degree F oven for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool in pan on rack. Cut into 2-inch squares.
There are all kinds of possibilities, these are just a few. You can bring out the artist in you, by just dabbling in the “ingredients arts” and creating some master pieces of your own.
In a large bowl mix well the flour, sugars, salt and baking soda. With a pastry blender or 2 knives cut shortening into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Use within 3 months. This recipe makes about 10 cups.
Here are some of the recipes that you can make from this mix. Don’t forget this is not all of them. Remember be creative----
Raisin-Oatmeal Cookies
In a large bowl mix well 2 cups Cookie Mix, 2 cups quick oats, 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar and chopped walnuts. Stir in 2 slightly beaten eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until well blended. Shape dough in 1-inch balls. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Press flat with bottom of glass dipped in flour. Bake them in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to racks to cool. This makes 66 cookies.
Spice Cookies
In a medium bowl mix well 2 cups Cookie Mix and 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice. Stir in 1 slightly beaten egg, 1/4 cup molasses and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well blended. Drop by teaspoonfuls (dip spoon in water to prevent sticking) 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Press flat with bottom of glass dipped in granulated sugar (moisten glass to help sugar adhere if necessary). Bake in a preheated at 375 degree F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are browned. Remove to racks to cool. This makes 36 cookies.
Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
In a medium bowl mix well 2 cups Cookie Mix and 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar. Stir in 1 slightly beaten egg, 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well blended. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Press flat with fork tines dipped in water to prevent sticking. Bake it in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are browned. Remove to racks to cool. This makes about 40 cookies.
Pinwheel Cookies
In a medium bowl stir 2 1/2 cups Cookie Mix, 1 slightly beaten egg and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract until well blended. Divide dough in half. With hands or wooden spoon work 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and 1 teaspoon water into half until well blended. Chill if necessary before rolling out. Roll out each half between 2 sheets lightly floured wax paper to a 12 x 9-inch rectangle. Place chocolate on vanilla. Starting at wide side, roll up tightly; chill for 1 hour.
Cut into 1/8-inch slices. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake it in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to racks to cool.
Checkerboard Cookies
Use Pinwheel Cookies recipe above. Divide chocolate and vanilla halves in half. Shape each to 1/2-inch thick rope with hands, lightly floured if necessary. Place a chocolate and vanilla roll parallel to each other, then a vanilla roll on top of the chocolate and a chocolate roll on top of the vanilla. Press lightly to form a compact roll (if necessary, moisten rolls with water to keep dough together). Wrap rolls airtight. Chill for 1 hour or overnight.
Cut into 1/8-inch slices. Bake as directed for Pinwheel Cookies.
Chocolate Chip Squares
In a large bowl mix well 2 1/3 cups Cookie Mix and 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar. Stir in 2 slightly beaten eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well blended. Fold in 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped walnuts. Use a small metal spatula dipped in water to spread mixture in greased and lightly floured 15 x 10-inch jellyroll pan. Bake it in a preheated oven at 375 degree F oven for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool in pan on rack. Cut into 2-inch squares.
There are all kinds of possibilities, these are just a few. You can bring out the artist in you, by just dabbling in the “ingredients arts” and creating some master pieces of your own.
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