Sunday, May 4, 2014

Samson's Carrot Cookies



For Christmas, I got my kindergartner The Disney Princess Cookbook, and I’m so happy I did!  With pretty princesses on every page, it features real recipes (and not just cake mix plus applesauce-type concoctions) that are great for parents and kids to make together.  I have her read the recipes, and she’s learning about following directions, measurements, and even fractions!  We’ve made a few things from her cookbook, but the one we like best is Samson’s Carrot Cookies.
Samson, if you don’t know, is the name of Prince Phillip’s horse in “Sleeping Beauty.”  These cookies are soft and cake-like, with carrots, apples, and cranberries.  (We omitted the walnuts since my girl is allergic, but I know they’d be delicious!)   These make great bribes for little girls who stay in their beds all night, too.  (Yep… guilty!)   Try them this weekend with your favorite little prince or princess.
Disney Princess Cookbook resize
Samson’s Carrot Cookies
(from The Disney Princess Cookbook)
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • (we added 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger.  It’s not in the recipe but it was a lovely addition)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup shredded carrot
  • 1/2 cup shredded apple
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries (raisins would work too)
Directions:
  1. Heat the oven to 375*F.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon,  nutmeg, and ground ginger.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and melted butter.  Then beat in the egg with a fork.
  4. Stir the flour mixture into the sugar mixture until the batter is smooth.  Then stir in the oats, shredded carrot and apple, walnuts, and dried cranberries.
  5. Drop rounded tablespoons of batter onto the cookie sheet, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart.
  6. Bake the cookies until they just begin to turn golden brown on top, about 8 minutes.  (NOTE: The recipe says ’8 minutes’, but I found 12 minutes was more like it in my oven.  Let’s say check at 8 minutes, but be prepared for 4-5 more!)  Leave them on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool.

Laurie Samson's Carrot Cookie resize
Hey Mom, I stole another cookie off the counter while you were writing your blog! Want a bite?