Memorial Day

Memorial Day is special to anyone who knows a veteran. Soldiers not only kept us safe years ago, but are the reason for our freedom today. My Grandpa served in the Navy in World War two, my sister's fiancé is currently training to be a Marine, and I have several friends who are looking into military work after high school. I look up to them and everyone else for contributing in such an effort. Thank you, all of our past, present and future soldiers, you are all truly guardian angels!

I've been told that all branches of the military are vastly different, but there is one thing I'm positive they have in common (or at least something my friends, sister's fiancé, and my grandpa have in common); the love of cookies! I made cookies for our Memorial Day picnic today and they came out great, so I thought I'd share my recipes. Here's two all-American cookies with a twist that I know you'll enjoy:

Chai Snickerdoodles

Ingredients

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cardamom (I used ½ teaspoon nutmeg)

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1 cup butter, soft

2 large eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a large bowl, combine sugar and spices; remove 1/2 cup of this mixture and place in a medium-sized, shallow dish or bowl (like a soup plate). Add butter to bowl and cream with sugar mixture until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, and vanilla extract.

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, cream of tartar and baking soda. Add to sugar mixture and stir until fully incorporated.

• Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll in reserved sugar-spice mixture. Place on baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between balls to allow for spreading.

• Bake for about 12 minutes, until edges are firm to the touch, but not quite browned. Cool for 3-5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 sticks butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 large eggs, beaten

1 tablespoon vanilla

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 cups chocolate chips, 2 Hershey's chocolate bars, chopped or M&M'S

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl stir together flour, salt, and baking soda. In another large bowl stir together butter, both sugars, eggs, vanilla and cocoa. Gradually stir flour mixture into butter mixture and mix until combined. Stir chocolate chips and walnuts, if using, and stir to distribute evenly.

• For cookies: Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets and bake about 10 minutes. Cool on a baking rack.

• For bars: Pat dough into a greased 9 inch square baking pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes. Cut into squares when cooled