Homemade Brown Sugar

In the process of all my holiday baking I ran out of brown sugar.  Not wanting to brave the crowds, I simply made my own.  It is incredibly easy and having made it, I actually prefer it over store bought.  Homemade brown sugar is quite fluffy and light.  The best part is you can make as much or as little as you need--no having to store it and having it get hard and lumpy.

You will need two ingredients:
regular granulated sugar
molasses

For every 1 cup of sugar, mix in 1 Tablespoon of molasses (more if you want a bolder flavor) with a fork.  Keep mixing with the fork until it becomes light and fluffy. 

The end.

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

One of the reason I love the holidays is because it gives me an excuse to bake lots and lots of cookies (not that I really need a reason).

Ingredients:

2 c. melted butter (4 sticks)

4 one-ounce squares semi-sweet chocolate

2 c. powdered sugar

1 c. white sugar

2 eggs

2 t. vanilla

1 t. orange zest (I left this out)

1 t. baking soda

1 t. cream of tartar (critical)

1 t. salt

4 1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. white sugar in small bowl (set aside)

Melt the butter and chocolate squares (3 min in microwave).  Once melted, stir them smooth, transfer to a large mixing bowl, and add the powdered and white sugars.  Stir thoroughly and set the mixture aside to cool.

When mixture is cool enough so it won't cook the eggs, add the eggs, one at a time, stirring after each addition.  Mix in vanilla, orange zest, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.  Mix.

Add flour in half-cup increments, mixing after each addition.  Once flour has been thoroughly mixed, roll into one-inch balls.  Dip balls into bowl of white sugar to coat.

Place the dough balls on a greased cookie sheet and flatten with the palm of your hand.

Bake at 325 degrees for 10-15 minutes. 

Makes approx. 7-8 dozen

*This recipe is out of Joanne Flukes Apple Turnover Murder.