Part 1

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.

Bold text is denoted by =equal signs=.

Important recipes are marked with a Key symbol in the original. That mark is indicated here by the text (KEY)

Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book.

_If you wish extra copies of this book, send 25c for each to: Betty Crocker, General Mills, Department 430, 623 Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis 1, Minnesota._

This offer may be withdrawn without notice.

Copyright 1948, by General Mills, Inc. “Betty Crocker”, “_Kitchen-tested_”, and “_Breakfast of Champions_”, are registered trade marks of General Mills.

Printed in U.S.A.

_Dear Friend_:

Here is our _newest_ and _fullest_ collection of cooky recipes ... our answer to thousands of requests from homemakers who have learned that _everybody loves cookies_! We give you many hints, shortcuts, and tricks that save you time and work ... everything that will make cooky-baking _so_ easy for you.

In this book you’ll find _every type_ of cooky—all the favorites our Staff has discovered in our years of testing in the General Mills kitchens. Testing, of course ... testing and re-testing ... is the real “success secret” behind all our recipes. Why, we often spend _weeks_ testing and perfecting just one single recipe! We make the recipe over and over again, but each time some _one_ change is made that the Staff feels might improve it. In addition, we try out any suggestions from our homemaker-testers. Finally, when we’re positive we’ve got the best possible recipe, we release that recipe to you.

Now before you start to bake, be sure you look at the “how-to-do” pages immediately following. But you’ll find good help on _every_ page—for we have included _all_ the little secrets for success that we have been gathering for years! If you follow these suggestions and our simplified and exact recipes, we know you’ll agree with us that _cooky-making is fun_!

Betty Crocker of General Mills

Our Staff would love to have you visit our colorful new quarters on the fifth floor of the General Mills Building in Minneapolis.

We are so proud of our five new kitchens! The Terrace Kitchen, pictured above, is used for general recipe testing and also for the preparation of luncheons to be served to special guests in our Early American Dining Room.

We also have a Kamera Kitchen for preparing foods for photography; a striking Polka Dot Kitchen for appliance testing; Tomorrow’s Kitchen for testing new food products and baking methods; and a Products Control Kitchen for the baking tests on our flours, quick mixes, etc. You’ll love our Tasting Bar, where we give recipes critical “taste-tests” to be sure they are perfect!

Don’t forget—if you are ever in Minneapolis, you will find a most warm welcome here!

_How to Get PERFECT Results from Recipes in this Book_....

_Cooking success is up to you! If you’ll take pains to measure true, Use Standard cups and spoons all the way. And then level off—it’ll always pay!_

HERE’S HOW WE MEASURE

=Baking Powder=, =Soda=, =Salt=, =Cornstarch=, =Cream of Tartar=, =Spices=, =Etc.=

MEASURE THAT PAN!

_Choose the size pan that the recipe states When baking bar cookies, bread, pies, or fine cakes. Measure with care to get just the right size, It makes quite a diff’rence ... you’ll soon realize!_

_This page gives the meaning of terms in this book! It’s here just to help you to be a Prize Cook!_

SUGAR

Fine white granulated sugar, unless otherwise specified in recipe.

SALT

_Cooking_ salt in cloth sacks. It is cheaper and stronger than table salt.

CHOCOLATE

Unsweetened baking chocolate. If sweet chocolate or bits or pieces are required, recipe will so state.

GOLD MEDAL FLOUR

Gold Medal “_Kitchen-tested_” Enriched Flour—the country’s most popular brand of all-purpose flour. _Recipes in this book have been perfected for Gold Medal only._

EGGS

Large fresh eggs (2 oz.) or equivalent amounts from smaller eggs.

MILK

Fresh, sweet milk, unless otherwise indicated.

BUTTERMILK and SOUR MILK

May be used interchangeably. Too old milk has disagreeable flavor!

MOLASSES

Dark molasses. If black New Orleans molasses is specified, ask grocer for “black strap.”

SPICES and FLAVORINGS

High quality always, for flavor and dependability.

WHEATIES

The crispy, whole-wheat flakes nationally known as the “Breakfast of Champions.”

ROLLED OATS

Either quick-cooking or regular (uncooked).

MOIST SHREDDED COCONUT

Shredded coconut that’s moist ... either from a can or a package ... or shredded from a fresh coconut.

BAKING POWDER

Any of the well-known nationally distributed brands of baking powder give good results with the recipes in this book.

COFFEE

The beverage—not uncooked ground coffee.

SHORTENING

Any fresh, mild-flavored solid fat ... animal or vegetable, such as those at right. Butter is indicated in certain recipes for flavor.

HOW TO PREPARE some special ingredients the quick, easy way!

_=or=_

PREPARING NUTS

Some foods look and taste their best if the nuts in them are in big chunks. In others, the nuts should be in smaller pieces. The recipes tell you just how.

=TOAST NUTS=: to be sure they will taste fresh. Heat through in moderate oven.

PREPARING DRIED FRUITS

EQUIVALENT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

————NUTS IN SHELL———— ————SHELLED NUTS———— =ALMONDS= 1 lb. = 1 cup nut meats 1 lb. = 3½ cups nut meats =PECANS= 1 lb. = 2¼ cups nut meats 1 lb. = 4 cups nut meats =PEANUTS= 1 lb. = 2 cups nut meats 1 lb. = 3 cups nut meats =WALNUTS= 1 lb. = 2 cups nut meats 1 lb. = 4 cups nut meats

1 CUP WHOLE SHELLED NUTS [Illustration] = [Illustration] broken = [Illustration] cut-up = [Illustration] coarsely chopped — minus 1 tbsp = [Illustration] finely chopped — ⅞ CUP

WHOLE PITTED CUT-UP FINELY CUT =DATES= 1 lb. = 2¼ cups 2 cups 1¾ cups 1½ cups =PRUNES= 1 lb. = 2⅓ cups 3½ cups 3 cups 2⅞ cups (cooked) (cooked) (cooked) =FIGS= 1 lb. = 2¾ cups —— 2⅔ cups 2½ cups =RAISINS= 15-oz. pkg. = 2¾ cups —— 2¾ cups 2½ cups

_Some of the sweetest memories of Home are bound up with Mother’s Cooky Jar. Long after the spicy fragrance of her ginger cookies baking has faded into the years ... the thought of that ample cooky jar on the shelf will bring back vividly the old-time peace ... and comfort ... and security of Home. Every Home should have a cooky jar!_

Hidden Treasures for the Toddlers

Monkey-Faced Cookies 19

Sugar Cookies 30

Molasses Crinkles 25

Peanut Butter Cookies 40

Brown Sugar Drops 16

Old-Time Cinnamon Jumbles 20

Washboards 25

“Tea-Off” with Cookies (_for tea_)

Stone Jar Molasses Cookies 34

Butter Cookies 31 and 43

Lemon Sugar Cookies 30

Chocolate Pinwheels 30

Petticoat Tails 24

New Northland Cookies 23

Dainty Tea Brownies 26

Thumbprint Cookies 41

English Tea Cakes 41

Lemon Snowdrops 41

3-in-1 Jumbles 20

Macaroons 21

For Hungry Home-Comers

Hermits 17

Gingies 34

Busy-Day Nut Drops 16

Snickerdoodles 25

Chocolate Cream Drops 18

Oatmeal Drop Cookies 19

Spiced Prune Drops 17

Wheaties Drop Cookies 17

Lunch Box Surprises (_taste-thrillers all!_)

Salted Peanut Cookies 16

Brownies 26

Monkey-Faced Cookies 19

Applesauce Cookies 17

Fig Bars 32

Plantation Fruit Bars 26

Tutti-Frutti Surprises 27

Glazed Orange Jumbles 20

Prune-Orange Bars 29

Put a “Lift” in Simple Desserts

Brazil or Pecan Jumbles 20

Coconut Cream Drops 18

Chocolate Refrigerator Cookies 22

Orange-Almond Refrigerator Cookies 22

Butterscotch Cookies with Burnt Butter Icing 18

Date-Apricot Bars 29

Picnic Stars (_under any skies_)

Chocolate Cream Drops 18

Oatmeal Refrigerator Cookies 24

Coconut-Lemon Bars 28

Frosted Gingies 34

Fruit-and-Nut Drops 18

Filled Cookies 32

Peanut Macaroons 21

Say “MERRY CHRISTMAS” with Cookies

Holiday Fruit Cookies 16

Berliner Kranser 42

Poinsettias 32

Zucker Hütchen (“Little Sugar Hats”) 38

Scotch Shortbread 39

Hazelnut Bars 29

Mandel Kager (“Almond Cookies”) 42

Lebkuchen 38

Nurnberger 38

Merry Christmas Cookies (Dark and Light) 37

Spritz 43

Jelly-Meringue-Filbert Bars 28

Almond Wreaths 43

Finska Kakor (“Finnish Cakes”) 39

Sandbakelser (“Sand Tarts”) 39

Almond Crescents 41

Quick Cure for Homesickness (_send plenty to divvy up_)

Date-and-Nut Squares 27

Hermits 17

Chocolate Chip Cookies 20

Filled Cookies 32

Date-Apricot Bars 29

Chocolate-Frosted Brownies 26

Ginger Creams 19

His Mother’s Oatmeal Cookies 33

Fun for the Youngsters (_“tricks or treats” for Hallowe’en_)

Animal Cookies 37

Wheaties-Coconut Macaroons 21

Cookies with Faces 31

Decorated Party Cookies (place cards, etc.) 31

Jewelled Cookies 27

Chocolate Cream Drops 18

Chocolate Pinwheels 30

Gingerbread Boys 34

Bedtime Snacks (_for light refreshment_)

Brown Sugar Drops 16

Sugar Jumbles 20

Coffee-and-Spice Drops 17

Ginger Refrigerator Cookies 23

Gold Cookies 25

Honey Peanut Butter Cookies 40

Coconut Jumbles 20

Mincemeat Cookies 17

Date-Oatmeal Cookies 40

Beau-Catchers (_and Husband-Keepers_)

Date-and-Nut Squares 27

Ginger Creams 19

Chocolate-Frosted Brownies 26

His Mother’s Oatmeal Cookies 33

Nut Sugar Cookies 30

Date-Nut Refrigerator Cookies 22

Matrimonial Cake (Date Bars) 29

Chocolate Chip Cookies 20

Toffee-Nut Bars 28

Say It with Cookies (_for birthdays, sick friends, etc._)

Russian Tea Cakes 42

Butter Fingers 41

Walnut Squares 27

Little Sugar Hats 38

Filled Cookies in Fancy Shapes 32

Almond Wreaths 43

Orange-Chocolate Chip Cookies 20

Rich Sugar Cookies 30

CLIP AND FILE at end of this chapter new cooky recipes from Gold Medal ads and from recipe folders in every sack of Gold Medal Flour.

“_Cooky Shines_”

Won’t you come into our Kitchen and join us in our “Cooky Shines?” That used to mean tea parties—but it’s what _we_ call our Staff sessions of cooky baking. We have lots of fun trying out all the delicious cookies that come to us from many lands. I’d like to show you some of the cookies most popular with Staff members and friends who have shared their favorite recipes with us. You’ll see many varieties in the color picture on the next page. Please take a look—then turn back.

_New, Easy, Double-Quick Way_

Don’t all those cookies look tempting? And they’re ever so easy to make! For we’ve worked out a new simplified method—a _double-quick_ method! Takes less than _half_ the usual mixing time! Would you like to know the secret? Then turn to the step-by-step pictures following. Imagine _you_ are standing right beside one of our Staff while she makes cookies. Could anything be easier? There’s no laborious creaming, no separate beating of eggs, only one bowl! Just a few simple basic steps.

_More and Better Help_

Now turn to the recipe pages, and have the fun of making the many different types of cookies. You’ll find all the little pointers you would notice if you were right in our kitchen. For instance, there’s a _brand-new feature_ which I think will be a big help to you. We tell how to judge _when the cookies are done_. And don’t miss the recipes marked with a ★! They are special favorites with our Staff!

_The “Key” Recipe Makes You Master of Many_

You’ll love the new plan of _key recipes_ with variations. When you master the key ( (KEY) ) recipe you’ll automatically know how to make _several different kinds_ of cookies. And notice that each recipe calls for our all-purpose Gold Medal “_Kitchen-tested_” Enriched Flour. This is to safeguard your results.

Because you see, every recipe has been developed with and for this particular flour—and tested in representative homes—with Gold Medal. It gives that moist, full-flavored quality everyone _wants_ in cookies.

_Recipes Fit the Needs_

The recipes are given in _practical_ amounts for average families. Those for everyday cookies, and holiday cookies that keep well, make enough so you won’t have to bake too often. Recipes for the richer, dainty cookies make enough for _special_ occasions.

_Happy Memories_

We’ve tried to include _all_ the hints, shortcuts and tricks that save you time and work so you can delight your family with new treats each week. Cookies bring such a _big_ reward in cheer and satisfaction! They make hospitality _so easy_! Invite your friends to join you for “Cooky Shines” in _your_ kitchen and you’ll be giving them happy memories they’ll all cherish as long as they live!