Zucchini Cookies

In an attempt to use up the plethora of freezer bags full of shredded zucchini before we have fresh zucchini in the garden again, I have been making these cookies. The chocolate chips make them delicious, and the zucchini and whole wheat flour make it so you don't feel guilty about eating them. The recipe is from "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" and can be found here. I highly recommend reading the entire book if you care about good food.

In other pie news, my birthday is this week so I think I might make that fancy Chocolate Cherry Pie. I'm salivating just thinking about it. Yum. Oh! And I just noticed that would bring my tally up to 50 pies. How appropriate!

Current Pie Tally: 49

Holiday Cookies, by Request

One of my beloved blog followers asked to see some of the holiday cookies I made, so here's a shot of my gingerbread cookies. Enjoy!

Gingerbread Men (makes about 2 dozen)
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. molasses (or sorghum)
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1.5 t. Penzey's cinnamon
1 t. ground ginger
1/4 t. ground clove
1/2 t. nutmeg
1 egg yolk

Preheat oven to 350 F. Beat sugar, butter, and molasses in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add remaining ingredients. Mix at low speed until blended. Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Roll out dough on floured surface and cut out desired shapes. Place on cookie sheets and bake for 8-10 min at 350 F. Allow to cool completely on wire racks, then decorate.

Current Pie Tally: 45

Swirly Twirly Chocolate Cookies

I made these for Labor Day and they came out chewy and fabulous.

Swirly Twirly Chocolate Cookies (about 2.5 dozen)
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 extra large eggs
1 t. vanilla
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/3 c. cocoa
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
9 oz. swirled chocolate chips (semisweet and white)
3/4 c. chopped pecans

Beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well to mix. Mix in the dry ingredients. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased baking sheet and cook for about 9 min. at 350F.

Current Pie Tally: 26