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December 2, 2014

Help! The Cookie Monster Has Me!


Why is it that we eat more during the holidays than we do the rest of the year? It’s as if we all get into this baking frenzy and try to outdo each other with our fabulous recipes and decorating the house. We run around like crazy people buying gifts, putting up a tree, seeing little Timmy’s Christmas play, decorating our homes and baking. We may not bake the rest of the year, but by golly at Christmas, the recipes come out and we’re in the kitchen.
Okay, I confess…I don’t cook that much. I wish I did, but even though I’m a full-time writer working from home, I don’t spend much time in the kitchen. My husband does most of the cooking and he’s not all that bad. I’ll run downstairs and throw some stuff in the crock pot and say whew that’s dinner.  It’s a lucky night when he comes home and dinner is fixed.
But at Christmas it’s like some spell comes over me and I want to bake cookies, pies, candy and try all these new recipes. Do I need to eat that much? No, I seriously am watching my weight and my sugar intake. I’m pre-diabetic with type II diabetes in my family. I know the risks. But I WANT COOKIES.  It’s like the cookie monster takes over my body and I think peanut butter, oatmeal, ginger snaps and oh…those delicious ones with the Hershey’s kiss stuck in the middle of them. GIVE ME COOKIES!

So today, the beginning of the holiday season, I thought I would inspire you to bake something sweet and you too can be a minion of the cookie monster. This recipe is unique from one of my newsletter followers, Carla Carlson. Her family is famous for making this and handing out to family and friends. Hope you try it.
BONE OF THE DEAD

4 cups Flour

2 ¼ cup Sugar

2 teaspoon Baking Powder

2 teaspoon Cloves

Mix with HOT water, knead dough (add sparingly), leave in bowl 

Take pieces of dough and roll out into long tubes, cut approximate 1 1/2 long pieces makes three indentations into cookie /\/ (helps with cooking process, brings up the flavor, and is an old tradition)

Place apart on greased baking pan (or use parchment paper) two finger lengths. 350* until firm (which will range depending on how much water was needed for the dough 8-10-15 minutes)
 Tell me what is your favorite cookie or holiday recipe? Do you eat too much during the holidays?

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14 comments:

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Good morning, Sylvia! I confess: I am a sweetaholic. I love just about all of the above except--don't hate me--pumpkin pie. lol I'm watching too as I gained a pound while at conference. Now, a pound may not sound like a lot, but takes me forever to get rid of. Hugs!

chris keniston said...

It is in everyone's best interest if I never touch a rolling pin! lol

I am actually quite proud of myself - I made it through thanksgiving and pies and didn't gain any weight. My secret you ask? I eat the pie for breakfast - have all day to work it off ! LOL

Unknown said...

Hi Sylvia. I hear ya! I'm one of those odd people who love the dinner more than the actual sweets though. I did have a small slice of pumpkin pie and one of chocolate though. But I ate enough dressing, mashed potatoes, carrots, and green bean casserole to kill me. Since I survived Thanksgiving Day, I ate leftovers on Friday. Need a larger size slacks for Christmas. Ha.

Liese said...

I'm with you, Sylvia. Gimme cookies! Any cookies! Going to have to check out the recipe, too!

Sylvia said...

Hi Vicki,
You are not alone, I can gain a pound just looking at sweets and it will take me weeks of dieting and being on the elliptical for it come off. I think I gained three pounds over Thanksgiving. Aargh.

Sylvia said...

Hi Chris,
Yesterday I made Chicken Noodle soup in the crockpot. My aunt made it and it was delicious. I make it and the rice didn't get done and the noodles turned to mush. Hubby was so sweet and ate it anyway. I'm a terrible cook. But I can set a pretty table and make a mean salad. (That's what I did for my mother growing up.)

Sylvia said...

Pam,
I love Thanksgiving dinner, I really do, but it just seems this time of year I crave the sweets and the cookies. Love cookies. Yes, I helped finish off a pumpkin cake, had half a slice of buttermilk pie and a dab of banana pudding at Thanksgiving. But the buttermilk pie was so rich, I could only eat half of it.

Sylvia said...

Liese,
Before Christmas, I will have made several batches of homemade cookies and they will all be eaten. Then in January, I will be completely off sugar once again.

Chrys Fey said...

Cookies! I've found that adding a pinch of cloves to sugar cookies really does the trick. :)

Karilyn Bentley said...

Hi Sylvia! I'm like you, I don't really cook but I love to eat the sweets! But I now have to watch it for the same reasons as you. So sad. :( I'm trying hard not to easy sweets until closer to Christmas. Fingers crossed!

Sylvia said...

Chrys,
What does the pinch of cloves add to the sugar cookies? I'm going to try this but I just wondered. I bet it makes them less sweet tasting, which would be okay with me.

Sylvia said...

Karilyn,
I really wish I was a better cook. I thought that when I quit work, I would do more cooking. Instead I'm on the computer even more. Oh well, it's what I love and cooking? Not so much.

Cathy McElhaney said...

Oh I cook...A LOT! But I am raising my 4 grand kids and they can eat...A LOT! I was just diagnosed today with diabetes :(, I love cookies, too and I even told the doctor today that I would be cheating over the holiday's no doubt! LOL! I will not miss the sweets as much as my other carbs! I love crunchy, salty things...

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