Grandma Rose’s Butter Cookies

An old favorite - Grandma Rose's Butter Cookies | @Susan Salzman | www.theurbanbaker.comThese cookies I hold near and dear to my being.  When I was with my grandma, I could simply be me.  I could be my sweet self, I could be my bratty self, I could be my intuitive self, and I could be my quiet self. We had a special relationship.  I was the youngest of 7 grandchildren and my childhood was riddled with illness.  I was ALWAYS sick.  I was hospitalized with collapsed lungs at the age of 12 and after 20 days, I was released.  It was the beginning of summer and that summer, I mostly spent in the house, in bed.  I went into the hospital weighing 77 pounds and came out 25 pounds lighter.

My grandma came over every day and made sure I ate.  She made me all of my favorite foods; her pasta, chicken and dumplings, matzoh brie (a matzoh version of french toast), egg noodles with cottage cheese + salt (I know, it sounds gross-but it is really good), and so much more. These cookies were in our cookie jar everyday and these cookies make me happy.

Tonight is the last night of Hanukkah.  As I light the menorah tonight, I will light the candles in honor of my grandma, whom I think about all the time.  She gave me a gift, the gift of unconditional love.

Grandma Rose’s Cookies


Ingredients

1/2 lb. unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups unbleached flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
sanding sugar for sprinkling

Instructions

• preheat oven to 350*.  line a baking pan with parchment.
• cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an standing mixer.
• add the egg and the vanilla
• whisk the flour and the baking powder.  then add it, slowly, to the mixing bowl.
• mix until just comes together.
• fill cookie press with enough cookie dough, yet leave 1/2 inch at the top.
• press cookies onto parchment lined baking sheet.  add M&M to the center.
• bake for 15-17 minutes or until the edges start to brown.
• let cool on racks.
• these last, in an airtight container, for 5 days.
• top it off with some vanilla bean ice cream….

The Urban Baker / SusanSalzman.com

Showing 22 comments
  • Lisa!
    Reply

    Oh wow. What a lovely post. That makes the box of Grandma Rose’s cookies you brought me even more special. They are the real thing.

  • Cynthia
    Reply

    I often wonder what my relationship with my grand parents would have been like… both sets of my grand parents passed early.

    The cookies look delightful and that is such a calming shade of blue.

    • admin
      Reply

      thank you so much. i cannot tell you how hard it was to find this color candy like m + m. i wish it was available in abundance as the other seasonal m+m’s. regardless, I was happy with my find and these cookies are just as good with any color center!

  • Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels
    Reply

    What a sweet post about your grandma, she sounds like she was a lovely lady. 🙂 Your cookies look absolutely delicious and so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your grandma’s recipe.

    • Susan
      Reply

      thanks, Lindsey! Happy Holidays!

  • Rosa
    Reply

    So cute and delicious! I love that kind of simple cookie.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  • Kelly
    Reply

    I forwarded this to my mom–I have tears reading this–how sweet. As someone who has been lucky enough to have these cookies I agree that they make you happy!

    • Susan
      Reply

      I miss sharing these with you! Miss sharing lots of things with you. It is amazing to me what 25 miles apart can do! xx

  • Alice
    Reply

    These are terribly pretty. I think it is the pastel colours that sets the pale biscuit off so well. Thank goodness you took the time and effort to find them.
    How lovely to have such a bond with a grandparent. Something you will pass on too one day no doubt.

    • Susan
      Reply

      I hope I still love to bake when I am old and grey! I sure enjoy now, with my kids! thanks for the comment!

  • Maria
    Reply

    These are so cute!

  • tammy
    Reply

    I know these amazing cookies are near and dear to your heart. They look beautiful in blue! Thx for sharing, I will make them!

  • Nicole @ The Dirty Oven
    Reply

    Just wow! Amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing…love love love the cookies. Thanks

  • Crustabakes
    Reply

    WOW, these are incredibly beautiful. And thanks so much for the heartwarming story, i really enjoyed it

  • Jodi-o
    Reply

    Hi Susan – lovely cookie post. What a blessing to have your grandmother near at such a critical point in your life. I will definitely try these cookies – I have a great press (pampered chef) but haven’t had much luck with it. Do you do these on a)parchment paper b)silpat or c)on the pan? LMK.

    • Susan
      Reply

      hi jodi! i always use parchment sheets. I have silpats and use those for candy and toffee, but generally I use parchment sheets that I get at Surfas! Happy Holidays!

  • Lisa
    Reply

    First, these cookies sounds fabulous. And second, I’m so sorry you had were so sick as a child and glad you’re healthy today. I think it was the love of your grandma that made you who you are. God bless!

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