Cookie Weekend

We tried a lot of new cookie recipes and then invited people over to try them. It was a BYOT (bring your own tin) party, and people really seemed to like it.

We had originally meant to make fourteen types of cookies, but the last cookie wouldn't stay together, so later I baked it as granola, and it was pretty tasty that way.

Here's the rundown:

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies - We used a bourbon vanilla instead of regular. We weren't sure what the weird flavor was at first, but then we remembered. Bourbon. I definitely prefer it without it, but we didn't have any problem getting rid of them.
2. Sugar Cookies - these cookies were delicious. But they were a bitch to roll out to cut into shapes. I suggest just rolling or dropping.
3. Neiman Marcus Cookies - We didn't put nuts in them, because I don't like them. They turned out pretty crispy, and they were the least favorite of most people. They were near the top of my list, though.
4. Raw, Vegan, Almond-Oat Cookies - These were good, as long as you got them straight out of the freezer. At room temperature, blech.
5. Gingersnaps - I may never buy gingersnaps again. These were so easy and so much better than store-bought cookies.
6. World Peace Cookies - These were pretty good. We decided that they were called World Peace Cookies because if you just gave one to every world leader, they'd all have to go take a nap and couldn't get into any wars or trouble.
7. Key Lime Cookies - These were my second favorite cookies of the weekend. They're so tasty. They're especially tasty with buttercream.
8. Nutella Cookies - I know that the recipe says to only replace part of the peanut butter, but we went right on and ignored that. Replace it all. You won't be sorry.
9. Peach Shortcake Cookies - A few notes - don't expect these to taste like cookies. They're shortcake. Eat them with fresh berries and whipped cream or clotted cream. Also, use fresh peaches. Frozen - even from your mother's orchard - won't do.
10. Samoas - What a pain in the ass. But the people loved them. I'm totally making this into a pie, though.
11. Espresso Chocolate Chip Shortbread - Mmm...tasty. Very, very espresso-y. Of course, I may have been a bit liberal with the espresso...
12. Cheesy Cornflake Cookies - These are a tasty breakfast treat. But you're gonna want to eat them warm.
13. And last but not least, the Best Cookie Ever - my mom's Surprise Cookies. Mix together one cup each of shortening (I prefer butter), sugar, and brown sugar. Then add 8 ounces of crushed pineapple, a teaspoon of vanilla, 2 cups of coconut, and 2 well-beaten eggs. Then add in 3.5 cups of flour and one teaspoon of baking soda. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet (or an ungreased baking stone) and bake for 10-13 minutes. Seriously - best cookie ever.