Back in the 1930s and 40s mom baked her own goodies and desserts were homespun and knowing just what was in those delightful desserts. They also tasted far better than the modern off-the-shelf desserts.
The following will prove the point.
Rum Balls
You will need:
1 cup Vanilla Wafers, finely crushed
1 cups icing sugar
1 ½ cup chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp cocoa
2 ½ Tbsp light corn syrup
3 Tbsp cream
1 Tbsp rum
½ cup icing sugar
maraschino cherries quartered
Method:
Combine all ingredients except the icing sugar and the cherries. Mix well. Shape into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar. Press ¼ cherry into each ball. Keep in tightly covered container in refrigerator. They improve with age. Yield: 2 ½ dozen.
Jumbo Raisin Cookies
You will need:
2 cups of seedless raisins
1 cup water
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp allspice
1 cup chopped nuts
Method:
Boil 2 cups of seedless raisins with 1 cup water for 5 minutes. Let cool. Cream 1 cup shortening with 2 cups sugar. Add eggs, vanilla and the raisins mixture.
Mix together the dry ingredients, then add to the wet mixture.
Blend well and drop onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350ºF.
Fruit Cookies
You will need:
1 cup shortening
¾ cup brown sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
1 ¾ cup flour
¼ tsp salt
½ cup chopped dates
½ cup raisins
½ cup shredded coconut
½ cup cherries
3 slices candied pineapple, chopped
⅔ cup nuts
Method:
Cream shortening and brown sugar until light. Stir in egg yolk and vanilla. Add flour and salt and mix well. Stir in the remaining ingredients.
Drop from a teaspoon onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375ºF for 10 minutes.
Pineapple Nut Drops
You will need:
⅓ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 egg
½ cup of canned crushed pineapple, drained
½ cup chopped nuts
1 ¼ cup pastry flour
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp baking soda
Method:
Mix 1/3 cup butter, ½ cup sugar, 1 egg , ½ cup crushed pineapple, ½ cup chopped nuts , 1-1/4 cup pastry flour, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp. soda.
Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs and beat, then add pineapple and nuts. Add dry ingredients and beat well. Drop from a teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375ºF for 10 to 15 minutes.
ENJOY !
