This week, our spotlight is shining on one of
our first books, Old-Fashioned Country Cookies!
First published way back in 1994, Old-Fashioned Country Cookies was only the third book we ever created. We thought we'd share how this book came about and what we remembered from those days.
Jo Ann: We had so many recipes to choose from in those days! We still have lots but now we have a system and remember, this was before email or our website. I just remember the boxes and boxes of handwritten letters, recipe cards, stationery all stacked together willy-nilly...
Vickie: Actually that's a pretty good way to describe our style back then: willy-nilly! We were just having so much fun creating cookbooks that we didn't think of things like...the table of contents. [laughing]
Jo Ann: Well, we figured it out pretty quickly after that though and developed our style a little more. In the days of Old-Fashioned Country Cookies, we were spontaneous, you might say. There was no template and each page is a little different from the next.
Vickie: Yep, just flipping through the pages, I recognize the illustrations from many different artists...it's almost like a collage of our early favorites. Lots of our oldest and dearest contributors are in there too. Kathy Grashoff has been sharing recipes almost as long as we've been publishing cookbooks. We're sharing a recipe of hers today.
Jo Ann: Well, it may be a looser structure than our books from today - you'll find memories and crafts shuffled right in with the recipes - but it's also dear to our hearts. It really feels hand-touched...almost like a scrapbook! We treasure the memories created in those early days and this book reminds me of where we came from.
Vickie: Definitely. We still strive to capture the heart of the stories you tell and the recipes you share with us. Pick up a copy of Old-Fashioned Country Cookies and you'll have a little Gooseberry Patch history - as well as a great cookbook! - on your hands.
Butterscotch Cookies
Thanks again to Kathy Grashoff for sharing this recipe!
1 c. shortening
3/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 t. hot water
1 t. vanilla extract
1-1/2 all-purpose flour
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
2 c. oatmeal
24-oz. pkg. butterscotch chips
1 c. chopped nuts (optional)
Combine first 6 ingredients. Add flour, salt and baking soda; stir well. Add oatmeal, butterscotch chips and nuts, if using. Drop by teaspoonful on baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Makes about 3 dozen.
If you're shopping for Old-Fashioned Country Cookies, your best bet is Amazon...check eBay too. You might even find a copy with the original cover, which included a reindeer cookie in place of the bunny. Now THAT would be a real collector's item!
Share the goodies with a friend!
