Chewy Noel Cookies

[BethK]

I got this recipe from one of our favorite volunteers when I was working at a not-for-profit disability assistance group. It's an old time recipe just like one my Grandma made and served every holiday season. It's a bar cookie, something that is super easy and quick to make and it stores well in an airtight container.

Chewy Noels

2 T. Butter
1/3 c. Flour
1/8 t. Baking Soda
1/8 t. Salt
1 c. Brown Sugar
1 c. Chopped Nuts
2 Eggs, beaten
1 t. Vanilla

Confectioners Sugar

(Easiest to line 9” X 9” X 2” pan with non-stick foil as these are difficult to remove after baked)
Melt butter in pan. Into mixing bowl sift together flour, soda & salt. Stir in brown sugar and nuts, then eggs and vanilla. Carefully pour batter over melted butter – do NOT stir. Bake at 350* 20-25 minutes. Place waxed paper over a wire rack and immediately invert pan on rack. Carefully remove foil, sprinkle w/confectioners sugar. When cool turn onto board and cut into 24 bars. Sprinkle again with confectioners sugar.

Often the edges get VERY chewy, just cut off and have as “cook’s treat” and then cut remainder into bars.

[Randy]

Put some chocolate chipe with that and you would really have something!!!

[ChefJune]

not everything is better with chocolate, Randy. These sound delicious just the way Beth posted the recipe.

[Norm]

WHAT? There are things that exist in this world that are not better with chocolate? Imagine that!

[Randy]

Originally Posted by ChefJune

not everything is better with chocolate, Randy. These sound delicious just the way Beth posted the recipe.

I would not disagree with either one of your statements, CJ; but our family has been making a recipe very similar to Beth's for 60+ years that has CC in it in it and I can tell you from personal experience that the chips would be an outstanding addition for this particular recipe. Of course, tastes differ, and some might prefer a chipless cookie;but I would be willing to bet that a taste test would show that 8 of ten folks would prefer this recipe "WITH" chips!!

P.S. We always make what would be essentially a double batch of Beth's recipe and bake them in a 10" x 15" jelly roll pan.

[BethK]

Randy, feel free to add anything you'd like to the Chewy Noels....I like to think every recipe is a springboard for shaping it into MY tastes, too.

I usually just prepare as stated 'cuz that's the recipe my Grandma made and I think of her every time I eat one.

[Randy]

Originally Posted by BethK

.....I usually just prepare as stated 'cuz that's the recipe my Grandma made and I think of her every time I eat one.

Beth: That is an excellent reason to make those cookies "as is" and I understand the sentiment perfectly as it just so happens that the recipe I make came from my Grandmother !! Just thought I would suggest the addition of chips for those who are chocoholic. Truth be known, I'm not crazy about nuts in cookies and leave them out of Grandma's recipe and actually double the chips as her recipe is a little light there.

Other difference between mine and yours is that I like it so well, I make it year round and do not limit it just to Christmas. Maybe that is part of the reason I looked like such a blimp until I got serious about a diet??

[BethK]

Christmas or holiday time is the only time we have enough people stopping by to help eat up sweets. If I make a pie or cake DH usually eats one piece and guess who ends up nibbling away at the rest....and I just don't need to have that much in the house. The only thing I should keep around because just a couple is satisfying to me are the Moravian Spice Cookies I posted in the cookie swap thread. They're sweet and spicy and just a couple with a cup of tea is a wonderful treat without being overly sweet or too much. If you're into spice, give them a try.

But I'll keep making Grandma's cookies every year just 'cuz...well, just 'cuz.

[Randy]

Beth: If you wanted to have them around more regularly, you could always make up just a half batch. This recipe would be easy to cut in half. Then you could have it around more regularly without turning into a blimp. As a minimum, this recipe looks like it would be a nice compliment to a special meal at Halloween or at Thanksgiving!!