It is surreal to me that there are only - get ready - 55 more days until Thanksgiving, and - better lie down for this one - 85 days until Christmas! Before we know it, the season of baking, shopping, and planning merriment will be huffing and puffing down our necks. No matter how often we tell ourselves that "this year will be different", we often discover that it isn't. Why not begin now to do just one thing that will help you feel better prepared?

I remember my mother making dozens of her wonderful cookies to give to neighbors, friends, and of course, her drooling children. My mother was a wonderful cook and baker! One of her secrets to not feeling too harried was to make and freeze her cookie dough in advance, and then pull it out when she had time to bake. The cookies were wonderful, and never had a "freezer" taste to them. Below is something I found on PinchingYourPennies.com, that neatly explains what we can do now; just as my mother did, "then".

Method 1: Simply make your cookie dough and roll it into a log in wax paper. Then cover wax paper cookie roll with foil and freeze. When you are ready, simply slice and bake. You will need to add very little (if any) time to your baking. Works like a dream.

Method 2: Scoop your cookie dough onto a cookie sheet (don't worry about leaving a lot of room between the cookie balls) and freeze. Then simply put the cookie balls into a freezer bag, get as much air out as you can and keep in the freezer until you're ready to bake. Let these thaw for a few minutes on the cookie sheet and then press with a glass before baking for the normal bake time.

A handy way to make your cookies more uniform is to use a cookie scoop. As you can see, they are almost identical to an ice-cream scoop except that the "scoop" is smaller. You may purchase these at kitchen stores, and larger super-markets. These little gadgets take the guess work out of making same-size cookies.

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Mel's Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup margarine (softened)
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 t. vanilla
3 cups flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
and about 4 t. milk

Combine ingredients. Bake at 375 degrees for about 8-10 minutes.

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