Cathy’s Ginger Creams

As I continue to bake all of the Cookies by Bess cookie recipes, I am excited most by making the “name-sake” cookies! There is a cookie recipe named for each of the women in the family around the time Grandma Bess first published Cookies by Bess! Cathy’s Ginger Creams is the third name-sake cookie I’ve…

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Fudge Bars No. 1

If you’ve followed my blog to this point, you know that chocolate isn’t necessarily my favorite. Don’t get me wrong, I like chocolate, but I’m not a chocaholic like some. After making and tasting Cookies by Bess’ Fudge Bars No. 1 with chocolate frosting, I think I’ve changed my mind. Or maybe I’ve gone out…

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Jam Bars

About one year ago, I posted one of  my favorite cookies recipes by Cookies by Bess…Apricot Bars. Now one year later, I am posting a very similar recipe from Cookies by Bess, Jam Bars. The difference is in the jam. Apricot Bars specifically calls for apricot preserves. Jam Bars calls for any type of thick…

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Crisp Butter Drops

Crisp Butter Drops are another great cookie recipe from Cookies by Bess! Golden in color and filled with all kinds of flavor, this cookie is a real winner! In my humble opinion, the title of the recipe, Crisp Butter Drops, doesn’t do this cookie justice. I think I’ve passed over this recipe to this point…

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Paula’s Spicy Apple Bars

I often find myself paging through Cookies by Bess, reading recipes, and deciding which cookie I’m going to make next. As I page through all the recipes, I always stop on those named for all the women in the Hoffman family. Paula’s Spicy Apple Bars is named for my cousin Paula. She is the oldest…

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Chocolate Almond Surprises

Each week I try a new Cookies by Bess recipe, and each week I am amazed at how great each recipe is! Chocolate Almond Surprises are no exception! Recipes with “surprise” in the name are intriguing to me…usually it means something is hidden inside the cookie. Again, Chocolate Almond Surprises is no exception! This time…

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Little Butter Balls

This is my kind of cookie! I’m not sure why it took me so long to make these Little Butter Balls, but I’m sure glad I finally did! There is just something about butter, brown sugar, and vanilla…I LOVE IT! Add a nut on top and you’ve got perfect Little Butter Balls cookies! I’m rating…

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Chocolate Nuggets

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate…if you love chocolate, this is the cookie for you! To be honest, I’m not the biggest chocolate fan, but I REALLY like these Chocolate Nuggets! OMG, they are so good! Cookies by Bess has pages and pages of cookie recipes that include chocolate and I’ve made several of them. I love that…

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Almond Cinnamon Crescents

I really love cookies that are rolled in powdered sugar…especially when right out of the oven! The sugar almost melts in to a sweet frosting. This is one reason I decided to make Almond Cinnamon Crescents. I’ve been baking Grandma Bess’ recipes every week for over a year now.  After about 70 to 80 recipes,…

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Mom’s Butter Cookies

I love that this recipe is called Mom’s Butter Cookies! It makes me think this may be one of my Great Grandmother, Anna Lazar’s recipes! I don’t remember meeting my Great Grandmother, Anna Lazar…but, I do remember meeting all my great aunts and uncle (Lillian, Lee, Fanny, Bess [my Grandmother], Molly, Harriet and uncle Sam)!…

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