Christmas Cookie Exchange Cowboy Cookies Recipe

Cookie exchange parties are one of my favorite holiday traditions. I was really excited to get to go to one a couple of days ago.

I love getting a chance to trade cookies and come home with a big assortment of goodies. (The downside, of course, if that I’ve been munching on cookies since I got home.)

Meringues, red velvet, biscotti, and the list goes on. All handmade and all delicious.

So what did I bring? This year I brought my Mom’s famous “Cowboy Cookies”

Cowboy Cookies recipe

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour (white or wheat or a combination of both)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups oatmeal
6 oz chocolate chipsCream first four ingredients together.
Add eggs and beat well.
Add vanilla, mix well.
Add four, baking soda, baking powder, salt and mix well.
Add oats and chocolate chips.
Mix well.

Drop by spoonful on to cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for approx 10 minutes or until lightly browned (don’t overcook or they will be hard).

Need another great recipe for a cookie exchange? My mother-in-laws Gingersnap cookies!

Gingersnaps

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Beat shortening
Gradually add sugar, beating well
Add egg and molasses and mix until thoroughly blended
Combine flour and next 4 ingredients in a seperate bowl
Add flour mixture one fourth at a time to creamed mixture
Mix

Shape into balls and roll in sugar
Place on greased cookie sheets
Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes
tops will crack