Cookies are a delicious treat enjoyed by kids and adults throughout the world. Kids are especially smitten with the tasty sweet pleasure. There are a variety of names used for these yummy treats. The Spanish call them ‘galletas,’ the English call them ‘biscuits,’ the Germans call them ‘kels,’ and in North America, they are called ‘cookies.’ The first cookies were miniature cakes called “koekje,” which is a Dutch word meaning ‘little cake.’ They were used to test oven temperatures before bakers cooked their cakes. The name “koekje” eventually evolved into the word ‘cookie.’ It does not matter what name is used for this mouthwatering sweet indulgence, they are a snack that all kids love.

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Store bought cookies are loved by kids. According to timeforkids.com, the following cookies are the top 5 selling brands:

1. Oreos: $519 million a year

2. Chips Ahoy: $347 million

3. Chips Deluxe: $160 million

4. Newtons: $137 million

5. Fudge Shoppe: $127 million

Although kids love store bought cookies, they especially love to eat cookies that are made in the home. As well, many parents will let their kids make the cookies with them. The kids love to bake and the parents get to enjoy some quality time with their children.

If you are interested in giving your kids homemade cookies, the following lists the top 5 most popular cookies for kids:

1. Chocolate Chip Cookie: These cookies have always been a popular treat for kids. They are soft, chewy, and gooey. You can use standard chocolate chips, gourmet chocolate chips, or milk chocolate chunks. Either way, the kids love them. Ingredients include: all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, unsalted butter (melted,) brown sugar (firmly packed,) white sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and semisweet chocolate chips or chunks

2. Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: The double chocolate chip cookie is loved by almost all kids. Ingredients include: butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, unsweetened cocoa powder buttermilk, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and semisweet chocolate chips.

3. Peanut Butter Cookies: Peanut Butter Cookies have always been a well loved treat by kids. For a burst of flavor, you can use a popular peanut butter brand such as Skippy, Peter pan, or Jiffy peanut butter. You can also add chocolate chips. To make them healthier, use all natural peanut butter. Ingredients include: granulated sugar, packed brown sugar, peanut butter, butter or margarine, shortening, egg, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

4. Gingerbread Cookies: These cookies make for a wonderful satisfying delight. They can be made into many shapes and frosting can be added as decoration, Ingredients include all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, butter, softened, molasses, egg, ground cinnamon, baking powder, ground ginger, ground cloves, grated or ground nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.

5. Sugar Cookies: The sugar cookie is a delicious sweet cookie that you can cut into a variety of shapes. Ingredients include: margarine (or butter), granulated sugar, egg vanilla, all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.

Kids love cookies so giving them this tremendously pleasing treat will definitely bring a smile to their faces.

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Want to know what a great baking apple is? It is an apple with a skin tough enough not to break down during baking. It is an apple with sweet and tart in it’s flavor.

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My favorite apple to use for baking is the Cortland. I get them in the fall of the year between September and April.

Cortland Apples were a cross breed apple. It came to be at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station 1898.

The name of the Cortland Apple came from the county in New York, Cortland County, which gets it’s name from Mr. Pierre Van Cortlandt.

The county in New York was name named after Mr. Pierre Van Cortlandt as he was there at the writing of the 1st New York State Constitution as President of the Convention. He also was first lieutenant governor for the state.

Cortland apple have a white, juicy flesh as where others have a yellow flesh. This makes them an appealing apple to serve as a garnish. The apples do not seem to discolor as quickly as other apples do.

Cortland Apples are great for baking of course, but also great served on a plate with cheese and crackers. They are great as garnishes. These apples tend not to color quickly which makes them a favorite as well.

A great baking apple should be tested for firmness. To do so, put the apple in your hand. Do not squeeze it but see if it is firm and heavy in weight. If so, then it is the one you want.

Also check it’s skin. Is the outer layer wrinkling? If so, pass on the apple. Make sure it has the tough skin. Because if it is wrinkling it was in the cold too long or not long enough.

To store your Cortlands, keep them as cool as possible. Best place is in the frig. Apples will not freeze unless temps are below 28 degrees F.

A tip if you are going to have them sitting out for a longer period of time sliced up, rub the slices in a bit of lemon juice. It will keep them from browning up too.

Make sure to visit your local orchard to see what great apples they have. It is fun and a great thing to do with the kids. And it is the best way to taste a fresh apple anytime.

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