A Favourite Cookbook

Today I decided to make an old favourite of mine...refrigerator sugar cookies. They are the perfect treat with a cup of tea, thin and crispy, but not too sweet. The recipe comes from my mom's old Joy of Cooking cookbook. It is well-loved as the spine is split in three places and is currently held together with a red elastic band. You can see from the photo that my dad gave it to my mom, complete with an affectionate message, on Christmas 34 years ago. The "Joan and Bruce Show", as I like to call their marriage, has been going strong for over 53 years!

This book was originally published in 1931 and is an excellent resource when you need a classic recipe. I have used it to learn many classics, from creme caramel (flan) to waffles.
These cookies go together quickly and can be frozen in the "log" state and baked later. I usually decrease the amount of sugar, double the recipe, bake one "log" and freeze the other one for later use.


Butterscotch Refrigerator Cookies
(adapted from the Joy of Cooking - revised 1973)

1 cup butter, softened
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 to 3 cups of flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder

*Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla, then mix in the salt, baking powder and flour. Start with 2 1/2 cups of flour and if the dough is still sticky add the extra flour.
Tear off a generous piece of plastic wrap and put half of the finished dough in the middle. Gently shape the dough into a log shape with a diameter of about 5 cm. Wrap and chill in the freezer for about 30 minutes, so that it is easier to cut. (You may leave the dough in the freezer at this point.) Cut the dough into thin slices and bake at 400F for 8-10 minutes (watch them as they can burn easily).