The Best Way to End One Year & Usher in the Next

Today is the second to last day of 2022 and already I am in full self-improvement mode.
     I’ve got a brand-new planner
     I’m looking into quickbooks to solve my book keeping needs
     And I’m stoked because this is the year I will get thinner, more organized and more computer savvy (I declare those intentions every January 1^st.)
 
There are still a few more days before the reality of implementation is upon me. A little self-indulgence is in order before the rigors of a new routine beckon me to begin on yet another self-improvement quest. 
 
Before recalibrating and re-engaging with reality, I mull over this quote by the late Iris Murdoch, Irish and British novelist and philosopher:

One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats.

Who can argue with that?
 
And I can’t think of anything better as a continuous small treat than freshly baked cookies to end 2022 and start the new year on a sweet note.
 
From my niece Courtney:
Almond cookies
2 sticks unsalted butter – softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp almond extract
 
Beat butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes. Add egg, flour, and almond extract.
Roll into small balls (around 1/2 tablespoon) and flatten with a fork. Please put on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Cookies should still be soft and look undercooked. Let them sit on the tray for a few minutes. 

 Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 cups + 2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Any amount of dark chocolate (bittersweet) chips (I use Ghiradelli or Godiva)
 
Preheat oven to 325.
Mix flour, baking soda, salt. Set aside.
Beat butter and sugars on medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
Beat in egg, yolk, and vanilla.
Add in dry ingredients and beat until combined.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Form balls of around 1-2 tablespoons and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
 
Bake 15 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE. The cookies will look somewhat raw when they come out. Let them cool on the baking sheets.

 

From my best buddy Gloria:
Snickerdoodles
½ C unsalted butter, softened
½ C. granulated sugar
1/3 C light brown sugar
I egg
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon cream f tartar
 
Topping:
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
 
Directions;
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar at high speed
Add egg, vanilla and beat until smooth
 
In another bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar
Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix well
 
Preheat oven to 300 degrees while letting dough rest 30 to 60 minutes in the refrigerator
 
In a small bowl combine topping.
 
Take about 2 ½ tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball. Roll this dough in cinnamon and sugar mixture and press into greased cookie sheet.
 
Bake 10-12 minutes, no more.
Cookies may seem undercooked but will develop.

Happy baking.
Happy eating.
Happy New Year.
 
And Keep Preserving Your Bloom,
Iris Ruth Pastor