Pioneer Picnic Cookies
Cook Time: 1 hour
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Description: This delightful recipe for Pioneer Picnic Cookies comes from a cherished little cookbook I stumbled upon years ago called Capital Cookbooks. It’s perfect for those moments when you have all the ingredients on hand and need a simple, yet scrumptious treat. Ideal for picnics and family gatherings, these cookies are a hit with both kids and adults. 🍪
Recipe Category: Drop Cookies
Keywords: Dessert, Cookie & Brownie, Toddler Friendly, Kid Friendly, Sweet, Beginner Cook, < 4 Hours, Easy
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup butter flavor shortening
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
Instructions:
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Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is essential to ensure your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden.
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Cream Butter and Shortening: In a large mixing bowl, blend the butter and butter flavor shortening together until smooth and creamy. This will create a rich base for your cookie dough.
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Add Sugars: Gradually add the sugar and light brown sugar to the butter mixture. Cream them together thoroughly until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process helps to incorporate air into the dough, making the cookies soft and tender.
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Incorporate Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This ensures that the eggs are fully incorporated into the mixture, which contributes to the structure and richness of the cookies.
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Mix in Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract, giving the dough a delicious hint of flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the sugars.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until well combined. This step is crucial for evenly distributing the leavening agents and salt throughout the dough.
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Add Walnuts: Gently fold in the chopped walnuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. The nuts add a delightful crunch and flavor to each cookie.
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Prepare Baking Sheets: Drop teaspoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
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Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The cookies should be golden around the edges and soft in the center.
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Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool briefly on the baking sheets before transferring them to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely on the rack to achieve the perfect texture.
Enjoy these Pioneer Picnic Cookies with a glass of milk or a cup of tea! They’re sure to be a hit at your next gathering. 🍪🥛
