Holiday Happiness Cookie Scrolls

 

I make no secret of how much I love quick and easy recipes, but every once in a while I find one that takes some time and effort that is well worth it.  This is one of those recipes.  Although it does take some work, this is a fun recipe to make.  The recipe also comes from the Pillsbury cookbook,  “Festive Holiday Recipes”,1981.  It can be both a gift and a card.

The cookies are baked, then little paper messages are folded or rolled and inserted into the cookie scrolls.  Making the cookies can be turned into an activity to do with kids.  Have them write out  messages on the papers and cut the lengths of ribbon needed.  Of course, messages could also be printed out from a computer.

Either quick or old-fashioned oats can be used in the recipe.  Old-fashioned oats will make a more lacey cookie and is what was used in the cookies in the photos.  Dark brown sugar can be used, but it will give the cookies a bigger caramel flavor.

Be sure to leave the 4-inches between the cookies when baking them.  I can bake about 4 cookies at a time on the size baking sheets I have.  It takes a little bit of practice to know when to roll the cookies after baking.  The handle of a wooden spoon can be used to help roll the cookies.

If you don’t want to bother to roll the cookies, you can leave them flat.  They still will taste good.

A small cookie scoop full makes about a 4-inch cookie.  For smaller cookies, use a level measuring teaspoon of dough.   This is for making flat cookies only.   The larger amount is needed to make the scrolls.  The cookies are basically oats held together by melted sugar so after the cookies have been placed on the baking sheet, squeeze them together a bit to compact the dough balls.  This will help the cookies not come apart as they are baking.  The cookies will be like lace.  Below is a photo I tried to take to show the texture.  Do you know how hard it is to hold a cookie in one hand, and shoot a picture with the other?

Holiday Happiness Cookie Scrolls

1 c. firmly packed brown sugar

1 c. rolled oats, quick or old-fashioned

1 T. flour (not self-rising)

1/8 t. salt

1/4 t. soda

1/3 c. butter or margarine, melted

1 T. lemon juice

In a medium bowl, combine sugar, oats, flour, salt and soda.  Mix well.  Combine melted butter and lemon juice.  Stir into dry ingredients and blend thoroughly.  Using a small cookie scoop, place dough balls 4-inches apart on a foil-lined baking sheet.  Squeeze cookies to compact them a bit.  Bake at 325 degrees 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow cookies to set for 30 to 45 seconds.  One at a time roll cookies around the handle of a wooden spoon to form scrolls.  Place on rack and cool completely.  If cookies become too crisp for rolling, return to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes to warm slightly.  Makes about 24 cookies.  

The cookies are very fragile while warm, but "toughen up" considerably once they are cooled.  Wait until they are completely cool to add the paper messages.  To complete the scrolls, cut pieces of paper about 3x4-inches.  Write a message and roll or fold so the paper is about 1/4-inch wide.  Slide the paper into the scrolls.  Cut 8 to 10-inch lengths of 1/8-inch ribbon, yarn, or curling ribbon.  Carefully tie around the scrolls.

I like to put one of these in the center of a gift plate of cookies with a personal message to the recipient.  Another thing I have done with these is to attach little tags with peoples names to the ribbon, write a personal message, and used them as place cards at a holiday dinner.

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